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I do nothing.

Swinging into the bathroom, I flip the shower knob to get the hot water going. A chill spreads down my bare legs until goose bumps erupt while I wait.

I’m too much of a scaredy-cat to run again. It took everything inside of me to get here, and now that I’m in the cabin,I want to stay. It’s a great place despite the less than welcoming black cloud in the other bedroom.

Maybe that’s fucked-up of me, to want to stay where I’m hated. I just keep ducking my head down like a beaten dog while Soren’s icy chill freezes me to the bone.

Aiden is fine; he’s cool and he does his best to be friendly, but I know when the chips fall, he’ll back whatever Soren says. They have a bond.

I step under the pulsing spray and swipe the hair back away from my face, closing my eyes against the steam.

For better or for worse.

I had yesterday to get my bearings. Now it’s time to stop fucking around and get down to the business of saving my life.

The thought sends another shiver down my spine, one even the hot water isn’t able to wash away.

Scrubbing quickly gets the stickiness of a sleepless night off my skin. Done, I swipe the brush through my hair, wrapping a towel securely around my torso.

Aiden and Soren are already up when I make it out of the bathroom.

Tense voices sound from the kitchen.

I shake my head.Slinking out and avoiding them is doable. Then my stomach gives a rumble, the pangs traveling the length of my abdomen and up to my chest.

I pop into the bedroom long enough to get dressed and the men are still bickering back and forth when I’m done.

Without options and craving breakfast, I stroll into the kitchen, braced for conflict. “Morning!”

Their conversation ends like someone flips a switch.

Soren glares at the stove like it insulted him, shoving a spatula through a skillet of scrambled eggs. The eggs I bought yesterday.

Aiden at least tries to offer me a smile like I haven’t interrupted something important. “Morning back,” he says lightly. “You hungry? We made eggs.”

Yeah, starving.I hoist a thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll just scrounge something up. It’s fine.”

“No worries. There’s plenty of coffee, and Soren’s frying enough for everyone.”

Despite Aiden’s reassurances, the agitation mounts, skyrocketing, and I feel it everywhere. The knots in my stomach are tighter now than before.

Will it ever feel better? Easier?

“Or maybe you’d rather head to town for breakfast at the diner,” Soren supplies. “That may be more to your liking.”

His words rankle me in the wrong way. Instead of backing down, I step up. “You wouldn’t even have eggs today if I hadn’t gone to the store. You’re welcome.”

I don’t mean for it to come out as snarky as it does. Before regret has a chance to settle in my veins, Soren growls under his breath in his go to mode of communication.

His shoulders bunch together, the muscles straining beneath the fabric of his black T-shirt. Even his brawny arms are constricted where he clenches the spatula hard enough to snap the plastic handle.

His jeans have holes in the back of the thighs and are frayed around the ankles. He’s left his long hair loose around his shoulders and he says nothing.

Smartest move he’s made.

“Thank you for the eggs, Gilli.” Aiden is the voice of reason. “You know how much we growing boys appreciate it.”

“I would’ve been happy to cook for you.”