Page 17

I’m not sure when I drifted off, but rays of sunlight filter through the windows, hurting my eyes even though they’re shut. The pain is everywhere, sharp and relentless.

Rex.

My body tenses, both wanting to turn over and check on him, yet also terrified he might be gone.

But before I move, he shuffles, and I nearly cry from relief.

“Feel like I got hit by a truck. Fuckin’ Ambien. I had the weirdest fever drea— Dev, why is there blood on my shirt?”

I stifle a groan.

It’s bad enough falling asleep being afraid he was going to die, but I’m not sure I’m ready for his wrath when he finds out what happened when I went “hunting.”

I’ve never lied to him before, at least not about something like this. And fuck if my gut twists at the thought of seeing him disappointed rather than angry.

So I stare at the wall through my good eye, keeping my back to him.

“What the fuck. It’s . . . everywhere.”

Sharp panic cuts through the hoarseness of his voice. “I know you’re awake. Talk right fuckin’ now.”

My muscles tense and I swallow hard, not moving. But then he’s tugging me flat onto my back. My head throbs at the wild movement.

“Devon!”

He looms over me, color draining from his face, panic brewing in those mossy green eyes. “You’re covered in blood! Your eye—”

“Carrionites. I took care of it.”

His jaw clenches tight as his thumb delicately charts the edge of my eye. I flinch and grab his hand. His gaze lands on my wrapped palm and he growls low. “Dev. . . .”

When he traces his fingers down my neck, I flail, trying to shove him away. I don’t want him to see.

But it’s too late.

“Fuckin’ hell!”

He explodes, the cords in his neck bulging. His features contort into a terrifying rictus, his voice deep and threatening to match. “I’m supposed to keep you safe!”

His chest heaves, muscles vibrating under taut skin. I’ve never seen Rex lose control like this—he looks ready to tear the world apart bare-handed.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

When his eyes travel back to the bite, I pull away and sit up slowly. Only the room spins and I nearly fall over, my fingers gripping the sheets as I try to steady myself.

“Dev, lay the fuck down. Now.”

Fear undercuts the barking tone.

My eyes are screwed shut as if it will help stop the spinning.

It doesn’t.

Rex guides me back down, his hand shaking slightly as he smooths my blood-caked hair. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes as his gaze continues cataloging every contusion, pausing when he gets to my legs.

His eyes widen, face scrunching in a mix of worry and fury as he takes in the bloody teeth marks on the denim of the inside of my right thigh.

I twist away, but he grabs my calf and hip, trying to keep my legs open. “Dammit, Devon. Let me see.”

“Get off,”

I choke out, stomach twisting with instant nausea.

He holds me tighter.

“Get. Off!”

My voice pitches up into a range I barely recognize, my body violently shaking.

“Okay, okay!”

He lets go and I squeeze my legs closed, panting and shaking as hot tears prick my eyes. I swipe them away, hissing at the pain in my bad eye and will myself not to cry.

“Please, Dev.”

His palm rests against my cheek. The heat of his skin seeps into my own, and the frantic thumping of my heart slows a little. “Please let me make sure you’re okay.”

The ache in my chest careens around like a wild animal trying to escape, locked inside my sternum but getting stronger for each second of his silent appraisal.

My eyes well up again. I try to blink the moisture away, but something inside breaks, and I can’t stop the shuddering sobs any more than I can the tears that follow.

Rex draws me close and tucks my face into his chest as he pulls me in tight.

“I’m sorry, baby boy.”

His voice cracks at the last words. “So sorry I failed you.”

He strokes my back as I cry, all the stress and fear I’ve been carrying for nearly seven years finally breaking free. Rex just holds me tighter, nuzzling into my hair.

After a few minutes, I calm down and he shifts, lifting my chin so our eyes meet. “Will you let me check it?”

I sniffle and look away, not saying a word.

When his hand slides over my waist and starts unzipping my jeans I don’t fight him. He tugs them to my knees, gently pulling my legs apart, and I swallow past the lump in my throat.

I belong to Rex, and now someone else has marked me.

Twice.

He lets out a long breath, shoulders slumping the tiniest bit. “Blood must’ve been his. Skin’s bruised but didn’t break. Won’t scar like—”

He trails off, his eyes going to my neck, as regret and anger wash over his features.

The sense of violation stings at his confirmation the bitemark will be permanent.

When I reach down and pull my jeans back up, he gently bats my hand away. “Easy. I’ve got you.”

He buttons them, lies back down, then pulls me close against his chest again. “Did they try to—”

“No. Had the Carrionite in an arm bar.”

He releases an audible breath and when I look up, my heart squeezes. He must’ve thought something worse happened.

“Try to sleep a bit more.”

His fingers trail up and down my arm. “When you wake up, I’ll help you get cleaned up and then we’ll pack our shit and head east.”

“East?”

He nods. “We need help. Got a friend who settled down not far off. Hope he’s still there.”

I scoff and roll my eyes, well, my good eye. “Better not be whoever the fuck Mac is.”

“How do you know that name?”

His eyes narrow, gaze searching my face as if I’m hiding some secret.

But I give a little snarl as I turn over and give him my back, just like that morning five months ago.

“Devon, answer.”

“Mumbled some shit in your sleep about wanting to fuck him while pawing at me. Guess you thought I was him.”

He lets out a low groan, his forehead coming to rest against my shoulder. “It’s not like that.”

I don’t respond. I want to be mad. I am mad.

At him.

At my father.

At the fuck who bit me, who scarred me.

“Baby boy, look at me.”

He gently pulls until I’m flat on my back. “Devon?”

I turn my head, glaring at him. “What?”

“He’s an old military buddy. Known him for almost twenty years.”

I shrug. “Whatever.”

Rex grabs my chin, tilting it up to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

Last night I begged him to open his eyes, would’ve done anything to see the bronze specks in the mossy green, and looking at them now makes my heart beat faster.

I won’t ever deny him eye contact again.

“I love you.”

He smiles, pressing his forehead against mine. “Love you too. So much.”

The feelings in my chest become overwhelming again. “Can I try to sleep now?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Still gotta be a little shit.”

I glare at him, then turn over, but instead of pulling away I push in closer and grab one of his stupid arms, draping it across me.

Just because I’m his boy, bastard better not think I’m suddenly going to start listening. You know, be nice and shit.

And this Mac fuck better not look at what’s mine, or I’ll cut off his dick and make him choke on it.