Page 43 of Prince of Pain

Hunter cleared his throat, catching her attention. “We’ll patch you up, but I’ll have to let Archer know where you are.”

“He’ll drag me home!”

“I’ll talk to him about it.”

That seemed to perk her up, until I spoke. “You can have your own room. You’re not staying in mine.”

“I’ll make it worth your while,” she purred, and I gave her a dirty look.

“I’m not sleeping with you when you’re like this.”

“Why not? I thought you liked my skin painted with blood?”

My eyes flashed to Hunter, and he gave me a pointed look. He wasn’t keen on listening to us fuck all night, and I was pretty sure he wouldn’t approve of me railing her while she was in this state.

“I’ll bunk with her,” Mason offered, and both Hunter and I replied at the same time.

“No, you won’t.”

He scowled but didn’t argue, and Tempest whined, the sound grating on my nerves as I grabbed a bandage to try and wrap her cut until I could clean it properly.

“But why can’t I just sleep with you? You don’t even hate me, so stop pretending you do.”

Hunter shot me a warning glance in the rearview as I grabbed the side of her face with my hand and shoved her a little roughly against the car window, leaning closer to her as I abandoned the bandage.

“I hate you when you’re like this, that’s my problem. You want to jump on my dick when you’re sober? Go for it, Temp. I’ll treat you like a slut whenever you want if you’re sober. I’ve worked so goddamn hard to put myself back on the right path, and I don’t need to be picking your strung-out ass up in the middle of the night, fixing all your problems when you don’t even think you have any.”

“I don’t!”

“You do!” I barked, only letting her go so I could grab her chin and force her to look at me. “Look at yourself! I’m saving your ass in the middle of the night from yet another one of Channing’s parties, where you’ve gotten so fucked up that you’re having psychotic episodes and delusions!”

Mason sat up straighter, glaring back at me. “Don’t blame Chan.”

“I’m not blaming him. Although, he’s the one who lets her get this bad and then calls me to take her away when he can’t handle her anymore,” I scowled, releasing Tempest and pushing her away from me when she pawed at my chest.

“Ry, don’t be mad. Please just let me crash with you tonight, it won’t happen again.”

I was losing my temper, and I focused on breathing exercises for a moment, needing to calm down before I did something stupid like punch her.

I gritted my teeth when she gave my shoulder a gentle shake, getting in my face. “Hey, don’t ignore me.”

“I’m blocking you out for your own good. I’m very close to breaking your fucking nose,” I warned, and she snorted.

“You’re so dramatic. You wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Unlucky for you then, you’re not a fly. You know what? You can do these stupid breathing things too.” I turned in my seat, ignoring the annoyed look on her face. “Do as you’re told and you can sleep in my room.”

That worked.

She kept her mouth shut and copied everything I told her to do until we arrived at home, and by then she was much calmer.

We all climbed out of the car and Hunter pulled me aside once we were in the kitchen, his voice low. “I can see that you know how to handle her, but you admitted you were struggling in the car. Should I call Archer to come and get her for your own sanity?”

“I can call him if I need to. She’s fine now.”

“I know she’s fine, but you’re not. You look like you’re going to snap a tooth,” he grunted, and I relaxed my jaw.

“Mase is good with her too, we’ve got it,” I promised, rejoining Mason and Tempest as I led them upstairs to my room. Mason’s eyes scanned the massive house in disbelief as we walked up the stairs, his voice a little quieter than normal.

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