Page 102 of Stolen Voices

“I didn’t know there were people here.”

“Hmm.” His hand squeezes my hip before he steps back, taking his heat with him, leaving me cold and needy. “I’ll deal with you later. Go get changed.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He might get me all hot and bothered, but he will not boss me around.

Before I can argue, he adds, “Please,” and gives my thigh a little tap, careful not to touch my bruises.

Afraid I might jump him in the hallway, I keep my mouth shut and slip into the room to change into something a little more appropriate for meeting the family in. This time, I don’t “forget” to put on my bra or panties.

When I walk into the room wearing leggings and a T-shirt, the room falls silent. It’s awkward as hell as everyone gapes at me. I self-consciously rub my cheek, worried I have something on my face.

Eli joins me at my side. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Callie.”

The silence, the stares… It all has me on edge and nervous. On instinct, I put up walls and revert to the practiced Callie who hides publicly in plain sight—a plastic smile that doesn’t reach my eyes and an overly enthusiastic voice that’s so high pitched it sounds manic. “Hi, I’m Callie. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

Eli steps in front of me, blocking me from the prying eyes of his family. People he loves dearly. Oh, god. What if they believe everything they’ve read in those stupid magazines and don’t like me?

“Don’t,” he says, staring down at me.

“Don’t what?” I hiss so only Eli can hear.

He cups my cheek with his large palm and runs his thumb over the old scratch with a gentleness that makes the hollow ache in my chest feel full.

“Don’t do that. Don’t be fake. Just be yourself. For me.”

I look up into Eli’s green-blue irises in shock. How does he know me so well? For years, he avoided me, and yet here he is, deciphering my feelings based on the tone of my voice.

I stare deeper into his eyes, and let the swirl of color soothe my jagged nerves and chase away my anxiety. Eli looks back with the same intensity, piercing me to the bone.

He sees me.

My past anger slips away. Maybe he’s not running away after all.

“Okay. I’ll try.” I lean into his palm, gobbling up this newfound affection he’s showering me with.

“Thank you.” He kisses my cheek and moves aside.

Instead of off-putting stares, the group of people in front of me are smiling widely, and I’m pretty sure I saw the pregnant woman wipe a tear away.

“Let’s start again. Everyone, this is Callie.” He points to Mason and the woman beside him. “Mason, you know. That’s his wife, Emery.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Callie,” Emery says sweetly.

Eli points to Rhys next. “You met that little turd.”

“Hey.” Rhys crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at his uncle. “You can’t call me a turd.”

“You hit on my girl. I can call you anything I want.”

His girl?

Did I step into an alternate dimension?

Eli lifts my jaw, closing my mouth and ignoring my shock, and continues, “That’s Jace and his wife, Momma Rylann.”

“Oh, my goodness, I am just so happy to meet you.” The pregnant woman waddles my way, a giant smile on her face as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes. She’s a tiny thing with a firm grip.

I can’t help but wince in pain at her hug.