Crave (Talon Security #1)(11)

“Fine.” I surrendered bitterly.

He looked relieved as he took the two steps to my side, shocking me by sweeping me up in his arms bridal style.

“I’ll call Theo to get him over here while you take care of her,” Travis said as Sid carried me from the room.

He growled when we entered my room. It was completely torn apart. All of the drawers of my dresser were pulled out and turned over. My mattress had been yanked from the bed. Feathers from the pillows they’d shredded dusted the ground like eerie snow. It was a shocking sight.

“Just a minute, sweetheart,” he gritted out, setting me down carefully. He pulled my mattress back onto the bed before reaching for me. He sat me on the edge of my mattress and squatted down in front of me with a haunted expression. “I know you probably can’t understand any of this right now, but I’m so fucking sorry.” His voice was hoarse as he heaved a labored breath. “Thank you for letting me take care of you. It’s more than I deserve.”

I agreed with him wholeheartedly on that point.

“When you feel better, we’ll talk. There’s a lot I want to say, but for now just know that you’re safe.”

I stared at him, unable to feel much and wanting desperately to be covered up.

Seeming to sense that, he stood and immediately began rummaging through my things, producing a bra and panties, leggings, and a hoodie.

“I can do it.” I shook my head when he looked like he was going to help me get dressed.

“Sam,” he replied imploringly.

I looked him in the eye. “No.”

After a moment of reluctance, he nodded, turning his back as I untied my robe with shaking fingers. My fingers were numb and my knees wobbled. I managed to get my underwear on, but I couldn’t clasp my bra. My hands shook too badly. I let out a sob of frustration.

I felt his hands behind me, confident and gentle as he clasped the hooks for me.

I hung my head in defeat. I didn’t want to need him—not now.

He turned me gently, pulling the sweatshirt carefully over my head. “C’mere,” he coaxed, sitting me on the edge of the bed. He kneeled at my feet, pulling the leggings up over each foot and up my calves before guiding me to stand so he could pull them all the way up.

After everything I’d been through that night, his gentleness just about slayed me.

He took my hand, leading me into the bathroom. He sat me on the vanity and dug around for supplies. He gently dabbed at my face, wiping away the blood.

I studied his neck, unable to look him in the eye.

“Sam.” His deep voice was like a jagged knife cutting through the tense silence. “I know I have no right to ask, but I have to know. Are you... I mean, did he— Did they—”

“Rape me?” I finished for him when it became painfully apparent that he couldn’t. “No.” I shook my head.

His relief was palpable as he threw the last cotton ball in the trash. “Christ, Sam,” he choked out.

I scooted off the vanity, finding some semblance of sanity. “I’m going to pack,” I told him coolly. I didn’t know where I was staying but it sure as hell wasn’t here. “Then we can go find Travis.”

My brother paced the living room like a caged beast, with Theo snapping pictures when Sid and I ventured out to the living room. He stopped when he saw me, eyeing me with concern and what looked like a hell of a lot of anger. “Shit, Sam. Is your nose broken?” he asked, looking horrified.

I shook my head. “Just sore,” I assured him.

“Come on, Sam, let’s go,” Travis’s deep voice broke in.

“Wait a goddamn minute,” Sid’s deep voice growled. “I don’t want her out of my sight.”

“Things have changed, then,” I muttered before I could stop myself.

Trav and Theo shared a confused look as Sid growled. “Sam.”

“Don’t ‘Sam’ me,” I protested. “I’m tired. Hell, I’m fucking traumatized. I can’t process you—and this. I’m going to Travis’s.”

“Then I’m going to Travis’s,” Sid declared without delay.

I swallowed hard. “No, Sid, you’re not.”

“I’ve got her, man—you know I do,” Travis cut in. “I’d let you bunk with me, but things seem… well, they seem fucked-up,” he continued.

I would have laughed had it not been so goddamned sad.

“Stay at headquarters, yeah? Both of you.”

Sid nodded, his eyes cutting to me as Travis took my arm gently and led me out to his truck.





CHAPTER 5

It took thirty minutes to get to Travis’s condo in Santa Monica.

I looked around at the modern-styled condo that was largely under construction.