Page 41 of Wrapped in Their Arms

Burn turned to grip the bars of the cell.Hisarms trembled with tension.

“Sorry,” he muttered, looking away.“I’mjust so fucking angry that little orange bastard hurt her and we couldn’t do a damn thing about it!”

Noelle looked up at him—at the fierce, broken fury in his face—and felt something tighten around her chest.Somethingwarm and painful.

“I won’t go with him again,” she said hoarsely.“Hesaid… said this was only the first half of the treatment.ButIwon’t go for the second half, no matter what he says or does.”Shewinced and put a hand to her lower abdomen.“Istill ache inside from that weird fertility machine.”

“Gods, sweetheart,I’mso sorry.”Bright’shand covered hers.Hispalm was so much larger—warm and gentle and strong.“Sosorry we weren’t there to protect you.Butfrom now on… just stay between us.We’llkeep you safe.”

Burn came back to sit on her other side.Hisarm wrapped around her shoulders, solid and grounding.

“Bright’s right,” he said gruffly.“We’llkill that little orange fucker if he tries to hurt you again.”

Noelle let out a shaky breath.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

She leaned into them, into the warmth of their arms and the steady beat of their hearts and the two of them wrapped her in a strong, steady embrace.

Noelle had never felt this protected before.Neverfelt so… loved?

Was that what this was?

She didn’t know, but it was good.Andright now,goodwas everything.

So she let herself rest between them, lulled by the low murmur ofBright’svoice and the steady weight ofBurn’sarm around her.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring…but for now, she was safe.

22

NOELLE

After their questionable meal and the raw flood of emotions that came with reliving her time in the spa,Noellethought they would finally be left alone.Instead, the harsh, mechanical clang of the cell door opening again made her flinch and jolt upright from where she’d been half-dozing againstBurn’swarm side.

“Bathroom break,” one of the guards barked.Therewere three of them—allSkowthis time.Theone in the lead was baring its finger-length teeth in a menacing grimace as it glared at them through its metal half-mask.“Oneat a time.Let’sgo!”

The directive was met with immediate tension.Burnsurged to his feet in a heartbeat, his massive body looming protectively in front ofNoellelike a living wall.Brightwas on his feet as well, shoulder-to-shoulder with theDarkTwin.

“Easy,” the lead guard snapped, leveling a blaster rifle.Theother two followed suit, aiming not atNoelle, but atBurnandBright.

“Burn…Bright, it’s all right.”Noellewas surprised how calm her own voice sounded.Butshe’d been in the cell for what felt like hours with no breaks and she really had to go.

“They’re not coming near you, my lady.”Bright’svoice was tense.Burnonly gave a low growl.

“We’re just here to escort you—one by one—to the bathroom,” theSkowguard informed them.“Doyou have to go or not?”

“I do.”Noelletried to keep the desperation from her voice and couldn’t quite manage it.Shefelt like she was about to burst.

She pushed her way out from behind the two big warriors and gave them an apologetic look.“Sorry, butIreallyneed to go.”

“Fine.Butif either of you tries anything while your little girlfriend’s out of the cell, she gets a hole through her back,” theSkowguard grated.“Understand?”

Burn’s jaw clenched so tight she could hear his teeth grinding.Helooked like he might launch himself at the guards at any minute.

“We understand,”Brightsaid, stepping in front of him.“Butyou understand this—if you touch her, if you so much as lay onefingeron our woman—you’re going to die.Idon’t care if you have a blaster—we’ll make you pay.”

TheSkowguard made a face.