Page 17 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable (The Beautiful Scars Duet #2)

Chapter Fifteen

Zane

The ride back to the house is made in silence. Anything Levi or I could possibly say in this moment wouldn't be enough.

Once we're back at the house, I cradle Sunny against my chest as I lift her from Levi's arms and out of the truck. As we head inside, my arms tighten instinctively around her when she whimpers, her face pressing into my shirt. The scent of blood clings to her skin.

" Please don't... "

Her head rolls against my chest as she slurs out the words. Her beautiful blonde hair is matted with sweat and tangles. Every few steps, another plea escapes her lips.

"Sorry... so sorry... "

Each whispered fragment feels like a knife in my chest. Her fingers clutch weakly at my shirt, then release, consciousness ebbing and flowing. Behind me, I hear Levi's sharp intake of breath as another whimper escapes her.

"Help me... please... "

Her body quakes against me as she shivers uncontrollably. I'm not sure whether it's from the memories she's lost in or the drugs. Either way I pull her in tighter. When her eyes flutter open, they're glazed, unfocused, seeing horrors I can't protect her from.

"Z—Zane?" The moment of clarity in her voice stops me mid-stride. Her brown eyes find mine, tears spilling over as recognition dawns. "I'm sorry... so sorry..."

"Oh, sweet girl." But she's already shaking her head, words tumbling out faster now.

"He broke me. Made me dirty..." Her voice cracks, shame and despair threading through every word. "You can't... shouldn't touch me now. I'm not... I can't..."

The sobs wracking her small frame are worse than any of her earlier pleas. These aren't drug-induced memories or thoughts plucked out of the air. They’re real, in-the-moment declarations of pain. I kiss her forehead, unable to do anything else.

"Nothing about you is broken or dirty," I growl, the words fierce with conviction. But she's already slipping away again, consciousness fading as fresh tears track down her cheeks.

"Just let me die… I want to die…"

My jaw clenches so hard my teeth might crack. Beside me, Levi's breath catches, his hands trembling as they hover near her hair.

"You're safe now, Angel." The words feel inadequate, but I keep my voice steady. She needs that right now.

She starts shaking. "Need to get clean. Please."

The walk up the stairs feels endless. I count her breaths, matching them to my own. Twenty breaths to the bedroom. Twelve more to the bathroom. Thirty-two separate promises that Garrett will pay.

I cradle Sunny closer as another sob wracks her body. "Need to get clean... please. I can still feel..."

Her voice cracks and it pierces something inside of me. Something deep and vital and necessary. Without a word, Levi moves to the shower. His hands shake as he adjusts the temperature, testing it until it's perfect.

"We've got you, sweet girl." My voice comes out harsher, more rough with emotion than I intend. She feels so fragile in my arms, like she'll break if I hold her wrong.

The blanket wrapped around her is stained with blood and God knows what else.

My jaw clenches as Levi and I work together to unwrap her, each new bruise, new injury revealed in the privacy of this moment is stunning.

The clinical assessment we made during the rescue, through the tunnel vision of adrenaline and relief, did nothing to prepare either of us for the enormity of her injuries.

"Jesus Christ," Levi breathes as his face drains of color. I've seen him torture men without a second thought, but this—this is different.

Sunny whimpers when we lift her into the shower spray.

Levi slides in behind her, supporting her weight while I step in and hold her steady from the front.

The water soaks through our clothes, but it helps buffer her from the force of the spray.

All I can focus on is her face, the way pain and relief war in her expression as the warm water hits her skin.

I grab a washcloth, adding soap with trembling hands. The first touch against her shoulder makes her flinch. "Sorry, sorry," I murmur. Each gasp of pain she makes vibrates through me. I try to be gentle, but my hands feel clumsy and too big as I try to wash away her hurt.

"Cold," she mumbles, pressing closer. Levi wraps his arm around her, holding her securely while I reach behind me to adjust the temperature.

Her head lolls against my chest as I work, as she fades in and out. Sometimes she tenses, trapped somewhere with things happening I can't save her from. Other times she goes limp, trusting us to hold her completely. Both tear at my heart.

Levi reaches for the shampoo, his movements careful as he works it through her matted hair. His eyes meet mine over her head, searing pain reflected there. This is killing him too—seeing her hurt like this and being helpless to make it better.

If I could take her pain, take it all away from her and endure it myself, I would. I would suffer anything to make her okay.

The water runs deep, deep red, then pink, then clear. I keep washing her long after she's clean, unable to stop because she seems to take comfort in the warm water and gentle touches. My hands map out her injuries, committing each one to memory for when I get the chance to even the score.

Sunny's eyes flutter open, focusing on my face with startling clarity. Water clings to her lashes, making them spike together. For a moment, the world narrows to nothing but her eyes on mine.

"I love you, Z."

Everything stops. The water fades to white noise. Levi's presence behind her becomes distant. There's nothing but her eyes holding mine, nothing but those words echoing in my head. My heart pounds against my ribs as something fierce and protective and overwhelming rises in my chest.

When her eyes flutter closed again, my heart doesn't slow.

I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly before I force myself to look up, bracing for Levi's reaction. We've been dancing around this—our shared feelings for Sunny and the complicated mess we've found ourselves in for a while now.

I expect to see jealousy in his eyes, maybe even that cold resentment I've seen him struggle to hold back with me.

Instead, I find a quiet acceptance. His jaw is tight, but his expression is one of understanding. We both love her.

"We need to get her to bed," Levi says softly. He’s still working his hands through her hair, washing away the last traces of soap.

I nod, unable to find words yet. My thumb traces circles on her shoulder as the water sluices over her skin.

"Z?" Her voice is barely a whisper now, heavy with exhaustion and drugs. “Levi?”

"Right here, sweet girl." The words get caught in my throat before they find their way out.

“I’m here Angel.” Levi’s voice is shaky when it finally comes.

"You can't leave me. Please don't leave me alone, okay?" The vulnerability in those words crushes my chest. “I need you.”

"Never." The promise comes from both Levi and me simultaneously. Our eyes meet again over her head—more silent understanding passing between us. "Never again."

I reach around behind me to shut off the water and grab the towel I set on the counter. Levi and I both take turns drying her carefully. I whisper to her as we work—low, soothing sounds. I let her know that she's safe now. That she's home.

“You came back to us,” Levi murmurs, brushing wet strands of hair from her face. “We’ve got you now.”

Her body still trembles, but it's from exhaustion, not panic. Her breathing is less erratic, more relaxed.

Finally finished, Levi wraps the towel around her loosely. She sways on her feet, and I lift her into my arms again. My wet clothes cling uncomfortably to my skin, but she presses herself closer.

"So cold," she mumbles against my neck.

"We'll get you warm," I promise as I carry her into the bedroom. Levi follows, grabbing extra blankets from the closet.

Setting her on the bed feels impossible. I know it's irrational but I can't shake the thought that she'll disappear if I let go.

Levi arranges the pillows and blankets and waits patiently for me to lay her down. We work in sync to get her settled and as comfortable as we can.

"Stay." It's not an ask. Her fingers grasp at my shirt.

I look at Levi, seeing my own conflict mirrored on his face. We're both soaked and need to change. We need to check the perimeter and coordinate with the team. But leaving her alone isn’t something that can happen.

"We'll take shifts," Levi decides, running a hand through his wet hair. "I'll stay here while you get changed, then I'll head down and do the perimeter check and start the debrief."

I nod, and grab a pair of dry sweatpants from the dresser. Once I'm changed I lie down beside Sunny on top of the covers. She curls into my side immediately, seeking warmth. Her breathing settles as exhaustion finally claims her.

"Z?" Levi pauses at the door, his expression unreadable. "What she said..."

"Levi—" I start, but he shakes his head.

"No, listen. I want you to know we'll figure this out. All of it."

The words aren't easy for him to say, but his voice is sincere.

I study my best friend's face, seeing the same fierce protectiveness I feel on my own. "Yeah," I agree quietly. "We will."

He nods once and disappears down the hall. I pull Sunny closer, pressing my lips to her temple. Her skin still burns with fever, but her breathing is steady now. Each exhale feels like a gift after how close we came to losing her.

"I love you right back," I whisper into her hair, the words both terrifying and freeing. "We're going to keep you safe this time. Both of us."