Page 23 of Desperate Decisions

“It only works like that because we’re bonded.”

“It works during heats too.”

“Yeah, but I can’t go into another one of those for you.” I traced my fingertips over his cheek. “You don’t have to go back, do you? This sort of seems like the end of whatever you were involved in.”

Elio sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. “I wish it were that easy. She wants me to bring you to the compound.”

“Why the fuck would I go there after seeing what she’s done to you?”

“She threatened to kill you to break the bond.”

At those words, the nausea I’d been doing my best to keep at bay reared up. I tumbled into the bathroom and hurled my guts out into the toilet.

Pain sparked through the bond, and a moment later Elio was on his knees next to me, gathering up my hair while I heaved.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I whined. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you right now.”

“I think right now we can take care of each other. The opportunities for that will be few and far between.”

I hated that I couldn’t crawl into his lap, couldn’t tuck myself against him with his injuries. Maybe Bianca had picked this particular punishment for that very reason.

“What’re you growling about?” Elio asked as I rinsed out my mouth.

“I need alpha cuddles and she ruined it. I can’t get all up in your business without hurting you.” My pout was petulant. I should be more worried about him being in pain than his inaccessibility to shut up my omega instincts demanding we soothe each other by plastering ourselves skin to skin.

“If you have enough bandages or a shirt I can borrow, I can fix that. I’ll suffer.”

My bottom lip wobbled and he kissed it in a surprisingly tender gesture.

“I don’t have anything that will fit you.”

I didn’t really want to, but reaching out to my dad for some supplies was an option. I hadn’t been very forthcoming with him since I’d gotten out of the hospital. I certainly didn’t owe him anything, but I could use his help right now.

“Let me call in some reinforcements.”

My dad already knew where I lived, and he showed up within twenty minutes. I let him in, about to thank him for bringing what we needed, but his face went red with fury, his arm craning back to prepare for a punch.

“No!” I shrieked and shoved myself between him and Elio. The impact had stars dancing in my vision, and a moment later the whole world went dark.

CHAPTER 9

ELIO

The second I made sure Amara wasn’t going to hit her head, I lashed out, catching her father by the wrist and applying as much force as I could to the pressure point until he dropped to his knees with a yelp. My body screamed at the sharp movement, but I had a point to prove.

I yanked him closer. “Let me make myself really fucking clear. If you ever put hands on my mate again there won’t be a piece of you big enough left to identify your body. You’ll treat her with respect, and if you ever try to come for either of us, I will use everything I’ve learned that brought me into Bianca Gallo’s inner circle. I promise you my skills are extensive and creative. I can make sure you suffer for weeks, every second full of misery until your heart finally gives out.”

“I didn’t—fuck!” he gasped in pain, his forehead sweating. “I didn’t mean to hurt her!”

No, he didn’t mean to, but I hadn’t meant to bond her either and we’d both have to suffer for our mistakes.

“And yet you did.” I released the pressure point and he sucked in a shuddering breath before I planted my foot on his chest and kicked him over.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” her father hissed.

“I think we both know exactly what’s wrong with each of us. You’ve been fucking around in the little leagues your whole career and now you’ve caught my attention. You’re just lucky you live on this side of the river.” I gathered Amara into my arms, cradling her head.

“Shit, she just got out of the hospital.”

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