Page 136 of Candy & Her Saints

Thomas doesn’t reply.

I peer through the partially open door into the en suite bathroom in Thomas’ bedroom.

The bathroom is decorated with gleaming turquoise tiles that match the blind at the window. Silvery moonlight lights up the sink and toilet at the far side and the modern waterfall shower.

There is no other light.

It makes unease shiver up my spine that Thomas is sitting in the dark in the bathtub that sits in the center of the room.

I stare at the stiff set of his hunched, pale shoulders.

His head is bowed. His arms encircle his knees that are pulled up to his chest.

What the hell has happened?

He’s sat like this before.

Somehow, I know it.

I feel sick.

I’m only wearing one of Thomas’ oversized white shirts because I was changing for bed but wanted to feel close to my Alpha.

It smells deliciously of his scent.

I work to focus on his emotions alone in the bond, but they’re worryingly numb.

Concerned, I push open the door and rush into the bathroom.

“Are you okay?” I reach to card my fingers through Thomas’ damp hair.

He doesn’t move a muscle like I’m not touching him.

“Am I okay?” Thomas’ voice holds a strange quality. He’s staring blankly in front of himself. “My fated mates, whose Soul Mark I bear above my heart, and the man I love, are the ones who are injured. Check for yourself. All my bruises are old.”

I scan over his muscled chest and strong back, assessing him for new injuries. I linger over the wolf SAINT pack Soul Mark, which matches my own. I long to trace over it with my tongue.

I don’t know why Thomas is shivering and covered with goosebumps. It’s not that cold in here.

Yet he’s right that he has no new bruises.

But wounds inside can’t be seen. I know that. And they’re much harder to heal.

I slide to the hard marble floor of the bathroom with a grimace. Then I sit cross legged.

“Well, that’s a good thing.” I hold up my wrist, which is bruised. “I’ve iced this, and the others have tended to their injuries as well. We’ll all heal. We simply have to work out a way to get the fuck out of here, while taking down your dad.”

Thomas’ gaze slides to my own. “That’s where I’ve been, speeding up the plan to rescue you all. I won’t spend a single other day here, sweet venom, where I have to pretend to be that type of Alphahole.”

“To be fair,” I quirk my lips, “you do play commanding well.”

For the first time, Thomas turns his head to fully look at me. “Is that so, sweetness? I also play the strong Alpha, ready to annihilate everyone who touches the people I love. Does that meet your approval?”

He means bossy.

I don’t say that. He looks too dangerous.

I lick my lips. “Oh, yeah.”