Page 83 of Their Property
I went to his opposite side, out of the doctor’s way, and grabbed his hand, ignoring that it too was slick with blood.
“You’re going to be fine, Grudge.” It was probably a useless, stupid sentiment, but I didn’t know what else to do. “We’re all here. You’re going to be okay.”
His hand squeezed around mine as the doctor examined him. I brought his knuckles to my lips and brushed a kiss over them before I remembered and abruptly stopped. Jesus fucking Christ, you idiot. He doesn’t need any more trauma right now.
But Grudge only squeezed my hand even harder, then his trembling index finger reached to touch the edge of my face.
TWENTY-FIVE
KYRIE
After the long, painstaking process of having glass shards removed from in and around his eyes, Grudge thankfully suffered no loss to his vision.
Due to the bleeding and swelling however, Doctor Priya recommended his eyes remain bandaged for a few days. He was not happy about that but begrudgingly allowed T-Bone and I to lead him upstairs to rest and get cleaned up.
“What can I help with?” I hovered as T-Bone led his partner to the shower, directing Grudge’s hand to the towel rack for support.
“I got it from here, little lady. Go on and rest.” He threw a weary smile in my direction. “Unless you’re dying to be in the middle of two naked men in the shower?”
I mean, yeah, kind of?
The longer I stood there, hesitating, the humor slowly drained from T-Bone’s face. His gaze grew openly inviting as he peeled off Grudge’s cut and then his own. Carefully, he took off Grudge’s bloodstained shirt next, revealing an expanse of dense muscle, more dark tattoos, andscars. So many scars.
I was completely still, but not frozen this time. Just entranced. My stomach flipped as T-Bone turned to face me, not saying a word as he gripped the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one swift, fluid movement. Some dried blood still coated his shoulders and chest, but at the sight of him, a familiar throb hit like a drum between my legs.
He looked like he was cut from marble, every muscle and contour with clearly defined lines. A massive raven with its wings spread was the centerpiece of his chest, feathers stretching out to his shoulders where smaller, more intricate tattoos ran down his arms. This was the man who kissed me into a limp puddle of need and brought me to ecstasy with just his hand.Overmy clothes, no less.
And he was inviting me to shower with the two of them?
The room suddenly felt too hot and too small. I needed air and space.
“Um, I’ll go take a shower and come back?” I squeaked, cringing at the sound of my own voice. “I…yeah, I don’t want to be alone, but…”
T-Bone’s expression changed quickly, flashing me an easy smile. “Sure thing, Kyrie. Just knock before you come in.”
I nodded before hurrying from the room, not releasing the breath in my chest until I was in my own room down the hall. My back pressed against my door and I let it all out in a bigwhoosh.
What a day.
Shit, what aweek.
Everything seemed to hit me all at once right then. Sevier, a promising new territory, had fallen. My father was likely frantic with worry. He had to know I was missing by now and would scour the continent to search for me.
I was overwhelmed by my intense feelings for the Sons and the emotional whiplash they all gave me. T-Bone had not only kissed me stupid, but gave me an orgasm.Dyno had achild,and Grudge would likely never allow me to kiss him.
We’d been attacked mere hours ago, and I’d walked in front of gunfire to make it out without a scratch.
Yeah, that last one was something I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. In that moment, the valkyrie was…me? Or had possessed me? Nothing about it made sense.
Once I caught my breath, I leaned away from the door and headed for the shower. Maybe I could process all this better under hot water and with less dried blood caked under my nails.
No such luck. My thoughts went round and round in circles as I stood under the spray. The only thing I was certain of? I wanted those three men more than anything else. They were my freedom, my sense of adventure, and my safe place. Nothing else mattered.
The water ran cold by the time I stepped out. After drying off with a towel and changing into fresh clothes, I stopped in front of the mirror. My face looked different, with a warm glow and light freckles thanks to sun exposure from the rides. I was stalling, still a bit nervous about returning to their room, but I wanted to take note of these changes in myself.
Would my father even recognize me when I saw him again? Or was I shedding my old, naive self like a snake’s skin?
I marched out of my door and down the hall before I could chicken out and softly knocked at the Sons’ door. T-Bone opened it quickly. He had changed into a clean T-shirt and soft lounge pants and gave me that easy, heart-flipping smile.
