Page 68 of Ravaged Soul

“Fixing my mistakes doesn’t deserve praise, Hy.”

“But bravery and skill does.”

Letting my thumb graze over her lips, they part on a ragged breath that matches the sorrow rioting in her blue-grey flecks. She’s exhausted, hardly able to stand straight from fatigue. But still, Ember doesn’t move to accept my comfort.

“Next time you sacrifice yourself, I’m going to tie you to my bed and spank your ass until it’s fucking raw,” I say gruffly.

Her brow raises. “Is that so?”

“We make decisions as a team. Not alone.”

“I did it for the team,” she replies. “To save it.”

“You infuriating woman. Don’t you get it yet?”

Nestling my forehead against hers, I breathe in the scent of hospital soap. Cheap shampoo. And beneath it, the dark, tantalising essence of our girl. The victim who refused to take that title laying down.

“There is no team without you, red. Not anymore. Sacrificing yourself will never save us. It will be the absolute death of this team… and our family.”

The impenetrable lake that’s frozen over her irises cracks enough for hope to light a dull spark. I latch onto that flash of light and capture it before she can extinguish the flame with her own self-doubt.

Her lips part like they were sculpted for me to capture. My touch is featherlight, careful. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. The world has done that plenty enough, and right now, I want to fuckingcherishher. The way she deserves to be.

Fingers gliding through her slightly damp hair, I cradle her head as my tongue slides into her mouth. Her warmth is all the reassurance I need. Ember’s still in there. She’s still the woman I’ve spent months watching, assessing, training. The woman we need.

If she needs my touch to come back to herself, I’ll give it to her. Fuck everything else. I’ve wasted enough time dancing around my feelings for this beautiful creature, and I’ll bedamned if I’m going to waste another second holding her at arm’s length.

“Hy.” She sighs into my mouth. “What are we doing here?”

“I thought that was rather obvious.”

“You just saw me with your team leader. And Axel’s… well, Axel. But he’s involved. I know I said that I wanted this, but not if it hurts you. I won’t risk that happening.”

My thumb traces painfully swollen flesh around her right eye socket, studying the striations of purple lightning that intermingle with the black and green bruises.

“We’re big boys, Ember. Trust us to choose what we’re comfortable with. What we’re willing to share. And how we navigate the fact that we’re all falling in love with you.”

She unsteadily drags in air.

“You hadn’t figured that out yet?” I tease.

“Well…”

I peck her soft lips again. “I’m not going to pretend this isn’t complicated as fuck or will be easy to manage, but I’m also done denying the way I feel. Professional or not, I want this. Us.”

She rests her head against my chest. “Complicated as fuck seems like an understatement.”

“I’m feeling optimistic.” A chuckle cascades from me.

“Someone has to, I suppose.”

Two quick knocks on the door announce the shattering of our peaceful bubble. I know it’s Axel by the light, fast footsteps moving inside. The pup bounces around like he’s perpetually high on life.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Warner asked me to track you down.”

Reluctantly, I release Ember. “What does he want?”

“Tom’s still sedated, but the doctors have said he’s stable enough to be airlifted to London. A bed’s opened up in St Thomas’s ICU.”