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Abyss kneels in front of me. “Why don’t we go upstairs where it’s a little more private? You don’t need an audience.”
I nod and start to untangle myself from Phantom’s hold. I lead Abyss toward the staircase, Phantom and Demon hot on our tails.
“You guys stay here.” My voice wobbles. “This will only take a few minutes.”
“We’re coming with you,” Phantom protests. “You don’t have to d?—”
Demon searches my face before pulling Phantom back. “She’ll be okay. Abyss will check her out.”
I give him a grateful smile and climb the stairs slowly, listening to the voices below.
“Damn it, Demon,” Phantom hisses. “We shouldn’t be leaving her alone right now.”
“I know my twin,” Soul says delicately. “She’s holding on by a thread. Jez is going to break, and it’ll be up to you two to put her back together.”
“Always,” Demon proclaims.
“But let her get through the medical bullshit first,” Soul says, and then there’s nothing but silence.
I sniffle as I enter my room but refuse to let the tears fall. I have no right to feel this broken at the moment. Demon relived his worst fears and trauma because of my stubborn ass stupidity. None of this would’ve happened if I’d just let the club help. My pride once again got in the way of not onlymysafety, but the safety of my men.
Abyss drops his medical bag on the bed and gestures toward the bathroom. “Why don’t you take a few minutes for yourself. I’ll get set up out here.”
“Okay,” I mumble. I grab a pair of panties and shorts from my dresser. I reach for a bra but decide against it since one of the wounds that needs to be treated is on my breast. It’ll just get in the way.
When I enter the en suite, I stare in the mirror at the bruised woman reflected back at me. Gripping the sink for balance, my breaths are quick and shallow, and I have to fight back the nausea that crawls up my throat. I’m not sure how much time passes before a light tapping hits the closed door.
“You okay in there, Jez?” Abyss calls out.
I steal my spine. “Yeah, I’m coming.”
I change quickly, tossing Phantom’s shirt onto the floor. When I exit the bathroom, I move over to the swivel glider in the corner of my room. Abyss approaches with a kind, gentle smile.
“I know this is the last thing you want to do,” Abyss comments.
I sigh. “Let’s just get it over with.”
He looks at me, his expression pained. “Jez, were you raped?” he asks softly.
I tremble at his question. “No,” I answer honestly.
I wasn’t technically raped. Assaulted, yes, raped no. Luckily, Phantom stopped them before anything could go further.
“Where are you injured?”
I lift the shirt over my head, and Abyss curses under his breath.
“Someone fucking bit you?” he asks rhetorically.
I hiss in pain as he dabs the bite with alcohol. After he cleans the wound, he covers it with a bandage and proceeds to check my other injuries. He applies antibacterial cream to the cuts where Betts sliced my bra straps, and when he’s done, I tug my shirt back over my head. Abyss takes my vitals and asks his routine questions.
“Do you want me to give you something to help you sleep?” I shake my head vehemently. “Okay, I’ll get out of here. Apply this ointment three times a day, and try to get some rest,” he says.
“Thank you,” I say gratefully.
He squeezes my shoulder in silent support and begins packing up his supplies as Demon and Phantom burst through the door.
Abyss zips up his bag and turns to leave. “They lasted longer than I thought they would.”