Page 18 of Imperfect Skin

“It’s alright, just lean against me for a minute. I’m going to get you out of here.”

As I looked up at Callum, the spotlight that hung from the room’s ceiling shone over his head, giving him a silver halo. A hysterical giggle slipped out, followed by more tears.

I struggled to get myself under some semblance of control and touched Cal’s shirt lightly. “You came here? You came to find me?”

I wasn’t expecting him to answer me, or for the look of incredulity to cross his face. He sighed, wrapping an arm carefully around my waist, mindful of the wounds on my back. I didn’t care about the pain. All I cared about was the warmth of his touch.

“Sweetheart, of course I bloody well came to find you.” He said it with such fond annoyance I couldn’t help but grin at him, not caring that I probably looked like an extra from some horror film.

I heard him speak to someone, but the room started to spin, and suddenly I couldn’t stand. The floor came up to meet me, and my brain went dark.

Six

CALLUM

“Marcus!” I yelled as Mouse went limp in my arms.

Oh, my sweet little Mouse. What have you done?

I felt physically ill looking at his bloodied face and shoulder. I should have gotten here faster.

What if I hadn’t gotten here? What if Rhys hadn’t spoken up?

My blood ran cold at the possible outcomes. I held Mouse tighter, my hand trembling as I ran my fingers through his tangled hair.

“Marcus!” I bellowed again, before I started crooning soft, nonsense words to Mouse as I cradled him close.

Marcus’s bald head appeared around the door, concern etched on his broad features. I glanced over to where that piece of shit, Ziggy, lay. He was backed up against the wall, glaring. The little fucker could glare all he wanted. He’d gotten off lucky with only a broken nose. If he knew what was good for him, he’d stay put.

“Jesus. Is he okay?” Marcus asked, and then flinched at the glare I shot him. “Shit, sorry, of course he’s not.”

“Find me a blanket, something soft. I need to get him out of here.” I was going to have to carry Mouse out to the car, and I regretted that I was going to cause him extra pain, but there was no other option.

Marcus was back in minutes, a soft, black blanket in his hands. Mouse was in and out of it, dark eyes fluttering open, then shutting.

“Do we need to get him to a hospital and get him checked over?” Marcus knelt alongside me, carefully helping me wrap Mouse in the blanket. His face blanched when he saw Mouse’s injuries. For even a hard-bitten old Sadist like Marcus, the state of Mouse’s back was gut-churning.

“Mouse doesn’t deal well with hospitals. I know someone who can help, but I want to get him home first.” I looked over at the door I’d kicked in, and the gathered patrons. How many of them were new to the scene, and thought the way this place ran was how it was done? “Marcus, something needs to be done about this place.”

“I agree, but I don’t think involving councils or authorities is going to help.” Marcus reached out a steadying hand as I went to stand.

Holding Mouse around the waist with one arm, and my other looped under his legs, I glanced over at Ziggy. “Take that piece of shit’s photo and make sure every club from Leeds to London has it. It’s up to Mouse if he wants to press charges or take things further.”

Marcus nodded at Mouse in my arms. “Get your boy home safely. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

It was pointless to try and correct Marcus. Besides, by the looks he was giving me, any argument I had would be ignored.

Mouse’s hand slipped out from under the blanket to touch my chest. Looking down at him, I saw he was a little more aware of his surroundings.

“Cal?” Mouse moved in my arms and hissed in pain. His arms snaked up around my neck and he shifted until his chin rested on my shoulder.

“Wrap your legs around me, little Mouse.” With a little wiggling, Mouse wrapped his legs around me like Alice would when I carried her. Mouse didn’t weigh all that much more.

He moved against my shoulder, and Marcus barked out a laugh. Catching sight of our reflection in a mirror that ran the length of one wall, I saw Mouse sticking his fingers up at Ziggy as Marcus dragged the man out of the room.

“You’re a brat.” I said fondly, carrying Mouse out of the room and towards the front doors of the club.

Mouse snuggled against my shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. “You say the sweetest things.” He lifted his head and pressed a quick kiss against my cheek. “Thank you.”

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