Chapter Twenty

ELLIS

W hen Rue squirms in my hold, I grit my teeth as my cock springs to attention. I tighten my grip, thinking she is struggling against the pain or might be ticklish. Despite the seriousness of the situation, pleasure fills my chest at the thought of discovering more about her. It's only when James drops to his ass, a full-blown panic attack taking hold of him, that I realize my mistake.

Gods be damned, I'm an ass.

I set Rue aside, ready to drag him from the room if he becomes unmanageable, but Rue beats me to it.

My breath halts in my chest when she wraps her hands around his face and whispers to him in a soft voice. She can't know how dangerous he is when he's in such a state. He lashes out without thought, and I hover close, ready to yank her away if he turns violent.

To my utter shock, he stills at her touch like a puppy eager to obey its master.

I breathe a sigh of relief as he calms, hating that I didn't realize he was struggling. Of course he would struggle at seeing a woman hurt. It's a known trigger. Rue barely even acknowledged that she was injured, so I didn't think the wounds were that bad.

It's just that once I got her in my arms, I couldn't seem to let her go.

My sympathies go to James.

If this is what he has to deal with when in a full-on panic—the complete and utter helplessness—then I owe him an apology. I'm grateful Rue was able to pull him out of his spiral. James is a bitch to keep subdued in a full manic episode, and it usually doesn't fade for hours or even days. I should be shocked at the ease she was able to handle him, but I'm not.

There is just something special about her, something that I can't quite figure out. If I didn't believe in cold, hard facts, I would say she's pure magic and sunshine.

I drop to my knees next to the pair and take up the task of bandaging her feet. Some of the wounds are so deep, they probably should get stitches. I gather my supplies next to me, grunting at the colossal mess James made of everything, and shake my head as I sort everything out.

I carefully lift her foot, resting it on my thigh, and frown up at her. "I think I should stitch this."

Stillness settles over the room, the guys behind me going completely motionless.

Rue purses her lips, flexes her foot, then shrugs. "Has the bleeding stopped?"

I nearly swallow my tongue when her toes wiggle so temptingly close to my crotch. The pressure from my jeans feels like a punishment for thinking about her in such a way when she's injured, but I don't think anything on this earth would be able to stop my mind from imagining her naked and touching me.

I clear my throat and gruffly answer, "Mostly."

"Then I'm good." She drops the subject like it's no big fucking deal that she has an open gash on the bottom of her foot that's still bleeding. After walking on it, the wounds have to be throbbing in agony. As if sensing my hesitation, she tilts her head to the side. "I can bandage it if the sight of blood bothers you."

I'm floored by her earnest offer. She's the one who is hurt, yet she's worried about me. I just can't wrap my brain around it. My parents didn't even visit me when I had my appendix removed when I was twelve, and yet Rue is worried about my sensibilities.

It boggles my mind.

Afraid of what might come out of my mouth, I just shake my head and work on cleaning the rest of her injuries. I clamp my hand around her ankle, afraid that she might try to do it herself to spare me, then I grab a few packages of gauze, ripping them open with my teeth.

As I lift her foot to apply the gauze, bandages, and tape, I'm distracted by the colorful rainbow nails that decorate her delicate toes. Each nail is a different color, like she couldn't make up her mind which color would look best, or she was excited and couldn't wait to try them all.

A smile curls my lips at the thought. I'm utterly fascinated by everything about her. The way her brain works is a complete, wonderful mystery that I'm eager to unravel. Maybe I should be upset that James monopolizes her time, but surprisingly, I don't feel slighted. He needs her more than I do right now. While I miss having her in my arms, I'm content just to be close, the feel of her skin under my palms easing the worst of my withdrawal.

I snatch a pillow off the couch, set it at the edge of the table, then prop up her foot. James doesn't move once. He's out, a slight snore escaping him with every breath, and I'm not sure I remember the last time I saw him sleep.

Treating him like a baby that you don't dare disturb, I move quietly to her other side. The bottom of her left foot isn't as damaged, the scratches not nearly as deep, but there are more of them. "Where the hell did you take her? Her feet are a mess."

I don't wait for an answer, just go about cleaning and bandaging the wounds.

"We went to the quarry," Hicks admits sheepishly.

My temper gets the better of me, and I cut him off with a glare. "That place is riddled with broken bottles and dirty needles. What the fuck were you thinking?"

Hicks scowls, quick to defend himself. "Gunner called Rue?—"

"No, I didn't. I would never expose her to that cesspool." Gunner stirs from the couch, then grimaces, looking at us like we're morons for even suggesting it. Despite the beating he took, his attention is glued on Rue, as if he needs to confirm for himself that she's okay.

"She said Gunner was in trouble," Hicks mumbles almost to himself, the furrow between his brows deepening with every second.

It's not an accusation, but it might as well have been for the way Rue stiffens and tries to pull away. I slip my hand around her ankle to hold her still. I'm done with her injuries, but my gut clenches at the thought of her pulling away from us.

"Gunner needed help, so we went." Rue shrugs, her eyes lowered as she runs her fingers through James' hair like it's the most fascinating thing in the world. "End of story."

Jameson's eyes crack open to slits—either waking from the sharp tone of her voice or the tension thrumming through her petite frame. Murder glints in his pale blue eyes, a silent demand that I back the fuck off, and I grit my teeth in frustration.

Before anyone can probe for more answers, a stubborn glint enters her eyes, and Rue turns to glare at Gunner. "I'm not some fragile flower you have to protect. You think a few people beating the shit out of each other would bother me?"

She actually looks offended at the idea, a snarl curling her lips, and it's the cutest fucking expression ever. My heart does a weird gallop in my chest.

Rue crosses her arms, lifting her chin until her cute little nose is in the air. "You needed help. Why wouldn't I go? I may look weak, but I can assure you that I'm not."

Her expression is so earnest and offended that I have to squash my smile. She's honestly confused why it was a bad idea to bring her to a place so dangerous that most people would think twice about entering without being armed to the teeth.

"No, you're not weak," I murmur, and my chest puffs up when she looks slightly appeased. I mentally roll my eyes at myself. I pride myself on being a rational being, but there is just something about her that makes me react like a boy with his first crush.

I'm far from a shy virgin, my kinks in the bedroom leaving no room for softer emotions. My cock hardens at the thought of having Rue at my mercy, able to do whatever I want to her, and I bite my lip to hold back a tortured groan.

No, weak is the last thing that comes to mind when I look at her. Images of her tied up, waiting just for me, shakes the foundation of my world, and I can't help but wonder if she's a natural submissive or if she would fight me a little and make me work to subdue her until she begs me for her orgasms.

I adjust my glasses, the lenses practically fogging up with my dirty thoughts, and damn if my cock doesn't weep at the thought.

She brings out my protective instincts, making me want to worship and cherish her—things I'm not used to feeling.

The confusion helps me get my dick back under control, and I'm not sure if I want to shake her for foolishly putting herself at risk or smile at just how perfectly she fits into our group. It's like she was always meant to be with us, the last piece to balance out our reckless tendencies, and my stomach does a slow tumble at the idea of her becoming a permanent member of our group.

Tension rises in the room at her argument, and I cast a severe look behind me at the others, a warning to shut the fuck up. Gunner, the grumpy bastard, wants to protest, and Jaceson is staring at her like he's never seen a girl before in his life, but Hicks is the one who is testing my temper. Suspicion darkens his green eyes to hard shards, and I shake my head. Thankfully, he purses his lips and remains silent.

For now.

No doubt the subject will come up again. Hicks isn't one to let go of a mystery, especially one that could put us at risk. While I understand the sentiment, he's way off base with Rue. She walked into danger without a care for her own safety just because one of us was in danger.

I'd bet my state-of-the-art computer lab and gaming rig that she's not a threat to us.

It's not until Rue shivers that I realize I've been absently brushing my thumb up and down the inside of her ankle, feeling both possessive and protective of her.

The polite thing to do would be to stop touching her and apologize, but I'm not sorry.

Instead, I tap her ankle and wait until she looks at me. "Uh…" The power of her fierce teal eyes has me forgetting how to speak for a moment, and I shake my head to clear it. "You'll need to stay off your feet for a while. Walking will hurt."

Desperate to get myself back under control, I grab a bottle of pain meds from the table, pop the lid, then shake the bottle until two pills drop into my palm. "Take these tonight. They'll help you sleep."

Rue shakes her head, her nose crinkling in disgust. "No, I'm good."

The only reason anyone wouldn't take pain meds for injuries as severe as hers is if they want to remain alert…or if they were once an addict. Concern stirs in my gut, leaving a toxic mix brewing, and I reluctantly slip the pills back into the bottle. I debate if I should take the bottle with me and out of the way of temptation, but the thought of her in pain stills my hand. "If you change your mind, they'll be here."

I set the bottle on the end table, counting only six pills inside it, and I make a mental note to check how many are left in the morning. "I'll grab a glass of water for you before I head off to bed."

That has her head snapping up. She stiffens and shakes her head. "No, I should be headi?—"

"Mrs. Killaghan put us in charge of taking care of you," Hicks interrupts with a hard, callous voice. "We're obviously not doing a very good job of it. I want you and Gunner where we can watch over you in case you need us in the middle of the night."

Something in his tone has Rue's expression going blank, and I'm not sure I want to demand to know what happened between them or just kick Hicks' ass for making her uncomfortable. If he keeps this bullshit up, he's going to push her away, and that's the last think I want.

While I love the guys, they are a lot of testosterone and bullshit.

It's nice to have her near.

Not only does her presence ease the tension between us, but there is something calming about her nearness. Touching her quiets the doubts that haunt my thoughts. I don't hear my parents calling me stubborn or ungrateful or worthless. I don't hear my siblings' disdainful comments that I'm not up to the family's exacting standards.

If not for their disappointment and apathy, my family would have forgotten I ever existed long ago. When Rue gazes at me, though, she doesn't see my faults or compare me to my siblings. She sees me as a real person. I'm not boring or a nuisance. She listens to me like she genuinely cares what I have to say.

It's addicting, and I'm not ready to let the feeling go yet—or let her go.

Not liking her retreat and hating that she's hiding from me, I desperately try to find a way to comfort her. Unfortunately, I'm not good with people like the others. I'm more comfortable with computers and books.

People are just so…emotional.

I can never gauge how they will react in any given situation, but I want to try.

"I'm going to grab a couple of pillows and blankets." I nod to myself as I mentally go through a list of things I need to collect. "Then we'll sleep down here. We shouldn't move you or Gunner, and I very much doubt we'll be able to pry James away."

Life gradually returns to Rue's face, her expression turning curious. "Like a sleepover?"

My insides melt at the way her teal eyes sparkle with eagerness, almost like she's never experienced some of the most basic childhood experiences. My heart breaks at the way she was raised, and I suspect her past is even more fucked-up than ours.

Even with my shitty family, I still had the guys.

My chest tightens at the thought of her having no one.

Unable to deny her anything, I nod, a tiny smile playing on my lips. "Exactly."

I desperately want to create new memories with her and replace some of the darkness in her life with goodness, even if it's something as silly as a sleepover.

My cheeks redden, and I glare at the guys with a warning not to say a fucking word. If they ruin this experience for her, I'll beat the little shits into a pulp that will make it look like Gunner has just a little boo-boo.

James jumps to his feet like a fucking meerkat peeking out from a hole. He's only half awake—or half asleep if you want—which usually only means trouble. "We need snacks. And pajamas. And someone needs to pick out a movie for us to watch."

James almost trips over his own feet in his rush, like he's trying to head off in too many directions at once and his feet got confused. Jace stands, taking a step toward his twin…only to have James place his hands on his hips with a glare and stubbornly stand his ground. "No, if we're doing this, we're doing it right."

His face softens when he glances down at Rue. "My pookie needs the full experience."

To my surprise, Jace hesitates, his impassive gaze switching to Rue, then he shocks the ever loving shit out of me by nodding. "You get the snacks. You won't be satisfied if you don't get exactly what you want. I'll help Gunner change into something more comfortable. Ellis, you're in charge of setting up the movie and grabbing blankets and pillows. Hicks will be in charge of finding something for Rue to wear for the night."

Thankfully, the rest of the guys must feel the same way, because none of the bastards protest the orders. James doesn't need to be told twice, practically bolting toward the kitchen, but not without a pointed glare at Hicks to behave. As Jace helps Gunner stand, they both look at Hicks suspiciously, and the man in question throws up his hands in exasperation. "Fine."

He goes to stomp out of the room, then suddenly stops next to Rue as if remembering her feet. I watch, completely bemused, as he bends and places a single knee on the ground.

A man who never bows to anyone is kneeling for her.

I can't contain my incredulity and choke on air, the sound covered when Hicks speaks. "Hop on my back. I'll give you a ride."

Rue's eyes widen, and she sputters, "I can walk?—"

"No," Hicks, Gunner, and I say at the same time, our tone brooking no argument.

Rue's eyes widen like saucers, then she bites her gorgeous pouty lips, and I grunt as I imagine what those lips would look like wrapped around my cock. I mentally roll my eyes at myself. I'm not a horn dog like the rest of the man whores. For me, sex is more about control than release, but something about her twists up my thoughts and priorities.

And I want more.

Rue has a way of testing my control, and I smile in excitement at the prospect, despite knowing it's going to be a struggle to keep my hands to myself.

Hating the indecision on Rue's face, I take a wild stab in the dark, my voice low and coaxing. "Have you ever had a piggyback ride? He won't even notice your slight weight. It will be fun. Promise."

If Hicks breaks my promise, I'll fucking send a virus to every electronic item he owns.

Indecision wars in her eyes for a second longer, then her chin lifts and her eyes narrow in determination. "Very well. What must I do?"

Hicks studies her with hard eyes for a moment longer, but even he can't remain unaffected by her innocent charm. He taps her arms, then motions to his neck. "Wrap your arms around my shoulders. When I stand, wrap your legs around my waist. I'll slip my arms under your knees to hold your weight and keep you stable."

My mouth drops open at his softly spoken words, and I say nothing when Rue glances at me for confirmation. I just nod in encouragement. She hesitantly reaches out, loosely looping her arms over his shoulders.

With a huff of annoyance, he grabs her arms and wraps them around him tighter before tapping her arm in warning. "Hold tight."

Without showing the slightest strain, he slowly stands, almost like he's worried about dropping her. An adorable squeak escapes Rue, and she clings to him like a monkey, her arms tightening around him even more, while her legs instinctively wrap around his waist.

Fuck if I'm not jealous, my arms achingly empty without her slight weight.

Hicks doesn't hesitate to grab her thighs, slipping one hand back under her ass. I open my mouth to protest, then close it without a word when Hicks glares at me. Rue stiffens slightly but doesn't protest, then she wiggles around a little to get comfortable, a slow smile blooming across her face.

"Ready?" Hicks' voice is gruff, and he turns to look at her over his shoulder. He stills when he finds her face only inches from his own, and I can see the exact moment when he falls, his face softening.

"Yup!" She nods eagerly, unable to keep the excitement from her voice, swinging her feet in anticipation. "Don't drop me!"

"Never," he whispers, then heads toward the stairs without glancing at any of us.

"You're so strong," Rue says, but not in flattery, more like she's surprised. "And warm."

When she snuggles into him more, his stride hitches, and I suddenly don't envy him. Even with his iron control, I doubt he'll be able to remain unaffected. Holding her close without touching her must be torture for him. He doesn't do softness or kindness. He's more of a fuck them and leave them type of guy. Having her in his house and tucked close to his body must be fucking with his head big time.

No wonder he is so on edge.

I'm not sure if I feel sorry for him or want to laugh at his predicament.

Rue is slowly turning our world upside down, cracking each of us out of our protective shells. I should hate it, but I can't deny that I'm excited to see what she'll do next.