Page 70 of Obsessions of the Heart

Peeking out of the blanket, Ravi was indeed shaking violently and smiling wide like a crazy person. “Soooo. Hhhaaapppyyy!”

I chuckled, finding him to be so adorable at that moment. I regretted it as soon as the pain spread, and I groaned, letting the blanket go. “I can’t live like this. Ravi is constantly making me laugh with his ridiculousness. I just can’t.”

Roux’s deep voice called out, “I have something for that bruise that will help it heal faster. The ingredient I’m waiting for will be in later today.”

“Ingredient?” Did he make his own ointments?

His mouth twitched. “Yes. The remedy I have now is just made to get the job done, so it smells… horrible. I got some essential oils to make it smell more palatable.”

My blood rushed my ears as my mind spun with the realization of what this meant. Does Roux really care about me? Like really care about me? Mind blown.

“Rin…” Rion grabbed my hand in a smooth motion and started up those small sensual circles on my wrist. “Is there anything we can do to make your stay here more comfortable? Pleasant?”

All I could do was shake my head before my mind drifted. I pictured those gentle fingers dancing around a different part of me. Looking at him through my lashes, his eyes softened, luring me to fall in and never leave. A buzzing sounded right next to me, and I jolted out of his hypnosis.

Rion let go of me, his sneer telling me exactly who the caller was.

“Hey, Cin!”

“What the hell, Lay? Didn't that fuckwad tell you that I wanted to talk to you as soon as you got up? Does he have shit for brains? Does he just pretend to be competent? This truce was already starting on shaky waters, and now this!”

I understood where this frantic attitude was coming from, so I waited until she took a breath before I answered her. “Yes, he did tell me, but I was still trying to understand a few things before I called you.”

Rion got up off the bed, flicking his hands for his brothers to leave. Roux growled and Ravi whined, looking at me to combat their brother, but I felt like it was a good idea. I nodded, and with a huff, they left the room. Rion winked at me before he closed the door so I could speak to my friend in private. It was so sweet of him.

Cin’s excited voice came from the phone. “Lay, please tell me you aren’t tied up in a basement with this idiot holding the phone to your ear. Blow twice for yes.”

I bit my lip, trying hard not to laugh at her because I knew it would be painful. Clenching my teeth, I bit out, “Don’t. Make. Me. Laugh.”

Gulping down a few breaths, I settled down. “It hurts when I laugh,” I tried to explain, but that just sent her into a tizzy.

“What?! That asswipe told me you were fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises!”

I rolled my eyes. I could see Rion saying that with a smile, knowing that what he’d said was accurate. “Yes, but it’s a big bruise across my stomach.”

She went ballistic again, and after I calmed her down, I told her what I knew. When I told her that he’d stepped out to give us privacy, that made her pause.

“Really? Did you check to see if he bugged the room?”

“Stop!” I yelled. “He’s trying to be kind and respect our friendship. The least you can do is be nice to him about it.”

I heard her grumble, “but he’s the fucking devil,” and blew out a harsh breath.

“Cin, did he really call you to talk to you about me living here for the time being?” I didn't want to think it would be a long-term situation. That would cause me to freak out as well as screech with glee, and no one wanted to be that embarrassing.

Her silence was telling, so I waited for her to get over her negative feelings.

“He made some good points that I couldn't refute.” Her monotone voice was so unlike her, it made me smile. She couldn't help but tell the truth even though she hated it. It was one of the things I found adorable about her.

“Thank you,” I told her sincerely, knowing all of this was hard for her.

“It's just until we catch this damn bastard, then I’m taking you on a girls trip far away from that Ambros dick to cleanse your soul from even being in his presence. All expenses paid, what do you say?”

I’d never been on a trip in my whole life, always stuck in whatever town I was living in. My vision blurred, and my chest grew tight. “Yeah. I think that sounds like a great idea.”

We hung up soon after, but not before I promised I would call or text her every day. We even came up with a text code that meant I was in trouble, just to ease her conscience.

Just as I started to wiggle myself to the side of the bed to try to stand up, Ravi’s head popped through the door. “Rin, are you done ye—” He stopped mid-sentence before he threw open the door and rushed over. “Let me help you. You should’ve called for me!”

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