Page 116 of Reaper and Ruin

He would have to get behind me.

Violet squeezed her fingers. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But I know that Whip has a nice shower here and the bathroom door has a lock on it. You can go in there and you will be absolutely safe, and nobody else will come in.”

Her voice was small when she said, “Will you stand at the door and make sure?”

“Of course I will.”

Ari nodded, but then she looked Violet up and down and grimaced. “Maybe you should go first though. You’ve got that bad guy’s blood all over you.”

Violet glanced down at herself in surprise, like in caring for the kids and keeping them distracted, she’d almost forgottenabout the state she was in herself. She forced a laugh, like it was no big deal. “You’re right. I’ll go first.”

Ari nodded fiercely. “I’ll stand at the door and protect you.”

I could practically see Violet’s heart melting. But she knelt so she was at Ari’s eye height and said seriously, “You don’t need to protect me, sweet girl. There’s nothing here to be afraid of. You see all these men? Including your brother? They’re the good guys.”

I wasn’t sure she was one-hundred-percent convinced, but then X, with his head in the back of one of my cupboards, let out a shout of glee. “Pop-Tarts! I knew I left some here that day we tortured—”

I coughed loudly.

X, for once in his life, got the subtlety. He grinned apologetically and waved the box of sugary treats in front of the kids’ faces. “Who wants one?”

Will stared at the box with clear hunger in his eyes but also a healthy amount of distrust. “What do we have to do to get one?”

I frowned. “What do you have to…”

It dawned on me that someone had forced them to do things in order to be given food. My fingers clenched into fists. I looked to Levi, knowing I needed someone to ground me before I flew out the doors and resurrected the dead, just so I could abuse them the way they’d abused these kids. “I can’t—”

My brain knew these kids weren’t the ones I’d lost. But it didn’t matter.

Levi caught my gaze. His eyes burned with the same intensity. “Breathe,” he murmured.

Our gazes locked on each other. We both inhaled audibly, and I forced air down my lungs, hoping it quelled the rage inside me. I didn’t understand how people could abuse their own children the way Violet’s foster parents had.

How did they get to keep their kids? I’d done everything for mine, loved them, cared for them, went without so they would have everything they needed.

And yet I’d lost them.

While people like Violet’s foster parents just got to keep theirs? How was any of that fair on any of us?

I needed another three deep breaths before I even felt remotely in control of my emotions.

By the time Levi and I had finished deep breathing, X had the kids’ hands washed and them sitting up at the kitchen counter, Pop-Tarts in the toaster, plates in front of them, waiting for them to be ready.

X tapped a knife on the edge of the countertop, battling back his amusement. “If you two want me to lead you in some yoga, just say the word.” He sniggered. “Gray is going to be so happy you’re using his calming techniques.”

I rolled my eyes, pulling out a stool next to Will. “Speaking of Grayson, is he coming over?”

“Should be here any minute. Trig and the others are taking care of…” Levi eyed the kids. “You know.”

“You mean the dead bodies?” Will piped up.

Levi grimaced. “Well, yeah.”

Will nodded, but then X put a Pop-Tart in front of him, and the kid wolfed it down like he hadn’t been fed in weeks.

It made me sick to my stomach that there was a good possibility he hadn’t ever had a regular supply of food. He was tiny. All skin and bones. I’d thought him maybe six, judging by his size, but after speaking to him, I suspected he was actually a good few years older. Maybe eight or nine.

“How old are you guys?” I put my Pop-Tart on Will’s plate.