Page 308 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

“That doesn’t seem appropriate,” Malum said from the bathroom door.

John ignored him and whispered to me softly, “Hands up, my dude.”

I obeyed, and he gently maneuvered the sweatshirt over my head. It smelled amazing, and it was like being cocooned in a big, cozy blanket.

Instantly some of my anxiety abated.

John’s fingers gently tugged down my pants, and I shivered as they traced over my hips. “Lean against me and step out.”

I obeyed.

“Where are your underwear?” he asked.

Malum growled.

I shrugged. “They’ve been disappearing for a while. I think someone is stealing them.”

John stilled.

“Excuse me?” Malum’s voice cracked like a whip.

“Tell the others.” John said forcibly, “Let’s get the word out and find out who is taking them.”

Malum stalked away in a whirl of fire and anger.

“You can wear a pair of my boxers,” John said as he rummaged through his shelf of clothes.

I rubbed at my tired eyes. “Are you sure? That seems kind of inappropriate.”

Instead of answering my question, John ordered, “Part your legs.”

I obeyed.

“Lift your left foot.” He pulled his black boxers over my leg. “Now the other.”

Slowly he tugged them up my legs, and he curled them over at my waist so they wouldn’t fall off.

John’s hands spanned across my stomach, and his fingers dug into my hips.

Pain exploded down my spine, and I swallowed thickly.

His thumbs traced circles against my skin, and he said gruffly, “When it comes to you, Aran, I’m sure.”

I blinked up at him, confused by what he was talking about.

Was I losing it?

He tucked a bloodstained curl behind my ear. “This will have to do for now. Let’s go.”

He went to wrap his arm around my shoulder but stopped. “Shit, your wounds.”

I stared back at him blankly.

“Lean against my arm for support.” John offered his forearm, and I grabbed onto it with both hands. “Let’s go.”

A few minutes later I sat in the hall at my usual spot.

My pipe hung from the side of my mouth and dangled between my teeth.

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