Page 39 of Ruined Wolfsbane

“A hole.” After thinking for a few seconds, I add, “And a few broken ribs.”

Sebastian turns a little green at that. Looking like he doesn’t want to know, he asks, “Are any of your ribs sticking out of the hole?”

I laugh softly at his question. My ribs scream in response, but I don’t let it show. “Nope. There’s nothing sticking out. Just a hole.”

“That’s good. It’s always nice not to have bones protruding out of your body.” Sebastian rambles a little. He’s always seemed so smooth and collected, so I find his wordiness endearing. Rubbing his lips together, Sebastian takes a moment to figure out what he wants to know next. He gestures at the bloody bandage. “How’d it happen?”

“I was kicked into a staircase. The bottom stair tread got lodged into my side. After a few kicks, it went partially through me.” I attempt to shrug, forgetting Malachi’s iron grip on my wrists.

“Fucking hell, sweet girl,” Sebastian responds, looking stricken.

I briefly look at Xander. His mouth is downturned, and one of his hands is in his hair. Xander’s creased moss green eyes shine with anger. Not at me but for me. I didn’t think he cared enough to feel anything toward me other than mild annoyance.

I don’t want any of the Grimm brothers to worry. Trying to reassure them, I state softly, “I’m okay.”

Sebastian lets out a humorless laugh. “You’re so far from being okay, it’s not remotely funny.” He scrubs both of his hands over his face before clasping them behind his head. Sebastian closes his eyes and tilts his head up, seeming to search for something.

Peace? Answers? A higher power?

I don’t know. I hope he finds it, though.

I let my own lids slide shut as I wait for him to continue. My eyes pop open a few long moments later when Sebastian asks me, “Are your injuries mostly on the front?”

“Based on how I woke up after, I don’t think so,” I share.

“What do you mean ‘woke up’?” Malachi grinds out behind me.

“I passed out after the whole rib-breaking fiasco.” I try to keep my tone light. I can sense it won’t take much to snap his tenuous hold on his control.

“Please tell me you didn’t just refer to having your bones broken as a ‘fiasco.’” Malachi sounds like he can’t decide whether he wants to strangle me or comfort me. I personally vote for the not strangling me option.

“I thought you didn’t like me lying to you.” My cheekiness isn’t helping the situation, but I can’t seem to help it around Malachi.

“Okay, you two,” Sebastian interjects before Malachi can continue. His mouth is kicked up on one side. “Can I look at your back, Briar?”

I was hoping he wouldn’t ask. If they’re shocked by my front, they’re going to be appalled by my back. However, I told Sebastian I’d show him, and I always keep my word. “Yes,” I whisper, voice breaking.

I thought keeping what Patrick does to me secret would be the hardest part. It’s not. Showing other people what goes on at home is far scarier.

“You need to let go for her to turn around, bro,” Sebastian tells Malachi. When he only gets a growl in response, he adds, “You can hold on to her when she’s facing you.” That seems to appease Malachi as he reluctantly releases my throat and wrists.

When I’m free, I meet Sebastian’s eyes once more before turning to face Malachi. Threading his fingers through my hair, Malachi tugs me until my face is buried in his chest. His gentle tugging on my hair sends jolts of pleasure pain through me, causing me to groan.

“Did I hurt you?” Malachi questions.

“No,” I murmur, voice muffled by his chest.

“My control is in shreds, baby girl. Now is not the time to lie to me.”

“I’m not lying,” I insist. He makes a humming noise of disagreement, and I sigh. I don’t particularly want to tell him that I discovered I enjoy hair pulling. I also don’t know that I’m ready to deal with an out-of-control Malachi. “I liked it, okay?”

“You liked what?” He sounds genuinely confused, and I groan for a different reason this time.

I’m going to have to spell it out for him, aren’t I?

Fantastic.

“You pulling my hair. I liked it,” I repeat. Surprising me, Malachi tugs on my hair again. He angles my head up so he can see my face, gripping a little harder as he does so. My eyes fall closed of their own accord. A breathy moan slips past my lips at the sensation.

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