Page 29 of Ruined Wolfsbane

What a fucking mess.

“Do you want me to lock the door on the way out? I need to get back down and check on Rory.”

“Please do.”

“Oh, and Kai?” I look up from Briar at his question. “I don’t give a fuck about the hierarchy or that you’re my cousin. If you hurt her, I’ll end you.”

“I’d expect nothing less, Rone.”

With one last look at Briar, Ronan leaves the room. The door snicks quietly on his way out.

I brush a strand of hair out of Briar’s face, before tucking my free hand behind my head. Staring down at her, I know I could stay like this forever. In sleep, she has the peace she’s missing when awake. “No one’s going to hurt you again, baby girl,” I whisper to her and place a kiss on the top of her head. I’m willing to do anything to keep my vow.

I close my eyes for a moment, not intending to fall asleep.

When I blink open my eyes, bright sunlight streams through the window. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, I see it’s eleven in the morning. I slept a solid eight hours, which never happens.

I’m not sure how much longer Briar will be asleep. I should probably move her to Rory’s room, so she doesn’t freak at waking up next to me.

Letting out a soft groan, I gently untangle myself from her. She doesn’t wake as her head hits the pillow. I put on my jeans and turn back to the bed. Reluctantly, I gather her up in my arms bridal style. I don’t want this night to end. While I could do without the drunkenness, holding her in my arms all night was probably the closest I’ll ever get to heaven.

With a heavy sigh, I make my way out of the guest room. Reaching Rory’s room, I bend down slightly to turn the doorknob without jostling Briar. I walk inside and see that Rory’s still asleep. As quietly as I can, I round Rory’s pink and gray bed. When I reach the other side, I carefully set Briar on top of the covers, ensuring her head is resting on a pillow. I bend down and place a lingering kiss on her head before standing.

When I straighten up, I’m met with Rory’s wide eyes. “Talk to Ronan,” I mouth to her. I wait for her nod before making my way out of the room.

There isn’t much I can do for Briar right now, other than make sure she has a good breakfast this morning. She’s going to have one hell of a headache. Greasy food should help.

Feeling better that I have something to do, I head to the kitchen to start on breakfast.

CHAPTER 14

BRIAR

“Wake up, sleepyhead!” a chipper voice says in my ear.

Even without being fully awake, I can tell it’s not Patrick. So, I don’t do more than grumble, “Five more minutes?”

“No way, Briar boo. Breakfast is almost ready. Get your cute butt up!”

I squint an eye open to see Rory grinning over me. With the bright sunshine backlighting her, her white-blonde hair looks like a halo.

At seeing Rory’s face, I remember last night and groan. Holy hell, I had way too much to drink. I can’t even remember most of the night. The flashes I do have of the night have to be wrong because most of them involve cuddling with Malachi.

Pushing up on one arm, I look down and see that I’m wearing a black shirt that’s obviously not mine. My brows push together in confusion as I turn to Rory. “Whose shirt am I wearing?”

“Kai’s,” Rory informs me with a shit-eating grin. I choke on my spit because I could’ve sworn she just told me I’m wearing my professor’s shirt.

“As in Grimm? Malachi Grimm?” I ask, my voice getting higher with each word.

“Yep,” Rory says, popping the P. She’s sitting on the bed by my feet now. I must be missing something because Rory seems genuinely happy about me wearing Malachi’s shirt. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, so I know she must be happy about something else.

“What! How?”

“Well, I only know the events thirdhand. Apparently, Kai brought you upstairs because you were drunk and tired. You took your clothes off to get into bed, so he gave you his shirt to sleep in.”

“Oh my God! No!” My face is hotter than a five-alarm fire. I am never, ever drinking again if this is what I do while drunk. I can’t believe that I fucking stripped in front of my professor. That poor man was probably so uncomfortable. A part of me wonders if he liked what he saw. I shut that down real fast. There isn’t any universe in which Malachi Grimm reciprocates my interest.

“Yes,” Rory says, trying to be serious, but her grin at my predicament peeks through.

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