Page 42 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Big bed. Big group.” He shrugged. “Better for sharing.”

She laughed at that, small but real, and he grinned in response. My heart swelled, and I rubbed the back of my neck. I thought it would be forever before she laughed again, if she everdid at all. I still wasn’t sure what had happened, but judging by the looks of her body, it was horrible.

If Ryuji could make her laugh, then I was on board with this idea.

While Ryuji was playing interior designer, Ciel and I helped Leona and Wynn get some water from the kitchen. After he’d finished his glass, under careful watch of Willow, Wynn faltered. He was fading fast.

He was a fucking strongman having survived that gunshot and walking around only a few days later.

Ciel wrapped an arm around his shoulder to keep him standing. “Let’s get you back to bed. You’re hurt enough as you are.”

“I want to stay,” Wynn weakly protested.

“Rest first, then you can come back.” Ciel ran his hand through Wynn’s hair—then the both of them froze. Leona’s eyes widened, locking with mine, while Ciel’s cheeks went pink.

“All right,” Wynn replied. He leaned against Ciel with a pained sigh.

Leona squeezed his hand, then gave Ciel a grateful glance while the two of them, and Willow, headed to Wynn’s room.

A few moments later, Ciel’s voice echoed through the hallway. “You took my bed, you asshole!”

Ryu snorted but ignored him, adjusting blankets and pillows, while Leona gave me a small smile. I was so damn glad to see Wynn back in the penthouse. Even though the last few days were a blur, it wasn’t home without all of us. Together.

Things had changed so much in the last week. For good, and for bad.

Leona was faltering, too. She’d mentioned on the yacht that she hadn’t had food or water while with the Albanians. So that was top priority along with tending to her wounds before she fell asleep. Obi had the first aid kit ready.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, princess,” I said, gently grabbing herhand. She’d waited long enough, making sure everyone else was taken care of first, but now it was her turn.

Willow popped her head back around the corner. “May I be of assistance?”

Leona’s lips pressed together in a thin line, like she was trying to keep herself from crying. She threw her arms around Willow’s neck, and it only took a second before the woman returned her fierce hug.

I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, feel her, make sure she was real and alive with my own two hands, but I saw how she flinched when Ciel hugged her from behind. I’d lose my fucking mind if I made anything worse for her.

“Can I examine you?” Willow asked her.

Leona sucked in a huge breath and then nodded.

I exhaled a heavy breath. Good. Willow could treat her, and then she could start healing. We could put this nightmare behind us. Willow draped an arm over Leona’s shoulders, turning. I followed, but then Willow shook her head, and I paused.

“Do you want anyone else in the room with us?”

Fuck. Ineededto be there for her. I needed to know, to understand. To help her heal. She took care of me after Max tortured me. I wanted to do the same.

Leona was quiet for a long time before she whispered, “No.”

My heart fucking broke.

Obi and I exchanged a pained look while Ryuji continued to rearrange the furniture, pretending he wasn’t listening.

Why didn’t she want me there? Or any of us?

My hands clenched into fists.

Willow wrapped an arm around Leona’s shoulders, giving me a pointed look. “I’ll get her cleaned up, and we’ll go from there.”

Willow wouldn’t tell me what happened, what she’d been through, unless Leona gave her permission. That much was clear from the warning and the understanding in her eyes. As the twoof them turned toward our room, I thought I was going to throw up all over the floor.