Page 24 of Rami

The fact that her rescuers were on the other side of the paper-thin walls was irrelevant. She didn’t want to see them. Didn’t want to look at herself another minute.

She cleaned herself off and sank to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. For the first time, she craved the drug they’d given her. Needed the void it promised.

Needed away from her new nightmare.

The door opened and she cringed. The only thing worse than what she was feeling right now was having a witness to her breakdown.

Warm, strong arms pulled her away from the wall of the tub and held her. “Shhh. Darlin’, it’s all over now.”

She gave a laugh that sounded like a sob. “All over? Look at me!” she shrieked, holding out her arm. Her hand trembled violently, and her chipped and dirty fingernails suggested she’d crawled out of the center of the earth.

Rami’s hand went to her cheek and cradled it. “I am looking at you.” His voice was firm, unshaking. “And you’re the strongest fucking person I’ve ever seen. Look what you’ve survived. Yeah, you’re a mess. So what? Get in the shower and wash it off. The rest will heal.”

She gulped down a gasp and swiped her face. “And if I’ve got a disease? Then what?” She spoke her deepest fear on a haggard whisper. Daring him to challenge her.

Needing someone to tell her she was wrong.

His thumb swiped beneath her eye. “Right now, it’s one step at a time. And I don’t think you survived all that for nothing.”

She wanted to believe him. Needed to find faith that God wanted her here. Ivy studied Rami’s face and swallowed. He was so big and strong. If circumstances were different, his sheer size would terrify her. But he’d used his arms to carry her, his weapons to protect her, and his fingers to wipe her tears. That much alone meant he wasn’t to be feared.

He squinted as if trying to read her mind. She circled her hand around his wrist. “Thank you.” The simple statement wasn’t enough, but it was a start. Her gaze landed on a cut along his jaw. “You’re bleeding,” she said, pointing.

Surprise crossed his face, and he blinked. Then he touched the spot with his knuckle. “Oh, someone got me with a nail.” Amusement rang in the words.

She widened her eyes. “Oh my gosh. I’m sorry.”

He chuckled. “Don’t be. Next time go for the eye—just not mine.”

Her lips twitched but the smile didn’t take hold. “I’ll remember that.” She flicked her gaze to the bathtub and embarrassment climbed her neck. “Um, I’d like to get clean.”

“I’ll fill up the tub.”

“No.” She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t want to sit in all this filth. I want a shower.”

He grimaced. “Do you think you can manage without falling?”

“I have to,” she said with a shrug. “I can’t stand another second like this.”

Rami’s eyes darkened a fraction and his body tensed. Not with sympathy but another emotion she couldn’t place. Anger? At her? “Let me get everything ready.” He stood and began to unpack some items from the bags.

He didn’t say anything, but his large, quiet presence calmed her nerves. She watched as his dark, tattooed arms removed some toiletries. He crossed in front of her to place the shampoo and conditioner in the shower. Without a word, he fisted his shirt from between his shoulder blades and pulled the material over his head. His muscled abdomen rippled as he shucked off his pants next.

Her mouth had been dry before but now it was as dusty as the desert she’d been rescued from. “Umm.” She wheezed with confusion. “What are you doing?”

Yes, he was attractive. Yes, he was scary—in a fascinating way. She had zero desire to check the dude out, but human instinct made her eyes burn with the effort it took not to gaze at his body in appreciation. His black briefs covered his junk and the tops of his thighs.

He stretched a hand toward her. “Not sure why you think you’re going to shower by yourself when you can barely stand.”

She inched up one shoulder. “I’ll be fine.” But the declaration was weak.

He caught her elbow and hauled her to her feet. “I won’t look and I’ll stay in my briefs. Last thing you need is a cracked-open skull.”

She fought a smirk. “Doesn’t sound so bad.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth she sucked in her breath as if she could vacuum them back in.

His eyebrows connected like opposite ends of a magnet. “Don’t do that. You’re alive, and a lot of people risked their lives to make sure that happened.”

A lump grew in her throat. “I’m sorry.”

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