Page 83 of Tore Up

I brushed her hair back off her face. “Shh, you’re fine. You’re safe,” I said softly.

The girl was stunning. Every feature perfect. Damn near angelic. Her name fit her.

I thought of the look on Crosby’s face, the panic in his eyes, the pain when he’d said her name.

I rubbed my hand over the ache in my chest.

“We found her, man. She’s okay,” I whispered. “But, fuck, I wish you were here. She needs you. Saylor never did, but this one does.”

Moving off the bed, I walked over to the wall and sank onto the floor, watching her. Thankfully, she was still. Maybe she’d get some rest tonight. Satisfied that she was sleeping, I closed my eyes.

“Bane!”

My eyes flew back open. What the fuck had she just said? Bane?

She was tossing her head back and forth. “Bane!” she moaned this time.

What the hell?

A sob came from her, and I sat there, unable to move.

What was going on? Why was she calling out the wrong brother’s name?

She buried her face into the pillow as she became still again.

I stared up at the ceiling. Where was the fucker? Did he know she cried out his name? Why would she cry his name?

“You’d better get your ass back here, you motherfucker,” I muttered into the darkness.

Thirty-Seven

Halo

The library books had gotten me through most of the weekend. Than had asked me to go swimming twice, and I had gone only because he’d been persistent. I needed the exercise, he’d reminded me.

Yesterday, they had watched football all day, and I’d gone in the great room for lunch and dinner as they yelled at the screen. It seemed Oz was a bookie, and I would wager that it wasn’t legal bets he was taking. The way they had talked, it seemed he took very large amounts from people, and it was filtered through the family.

Every day that passed and Bane didn’t return, the weight on my chest got heavier. The guys never talked about it, although it had been five days since he’d left. I had spent hours yesterday debating on asking Grissele if I could move there, like she had suggested, but then I’d be living with Fender, who hated me. I feared that Bane was staying away from his home because of me.If he’d just talk to me, come back, we could figure it out.

Today meant more football. I’d gone out to the pool for an hour, but when I saw some women arrive, I decided to get my dinner and make my way upstairs for the evening. If the sexfest was about to start, I’d prefer to get away as soon as possible. Wrapping the towel around me, I stared at the patio door as a brunette sat down on Ransom’s knee, then reached to pull off her crop top.

Yep, not going in there.

I headed toward the left of the house to walk around to the front entrance. I knew the code for the door, and I could slip in, unnoticed. No need to bother the guys and their booty calls. I winced as I walked over some pebbles, wishing I’d brought my shoes. Just as I was about to get past the painful part of this journey, I heard voices and stopped.

A car door closed. More guests.

I pressed my back against the wall, not wanting to be seen lurking around the house outside.

“Where is he?” a female asked.

“Oz said they don’t know,” another replied.

I heard the click of their heels on the brick path as they drew closer to the house.

“And it’s all because of that girl Crosby accidentally knocked up?”

“Yeah, he’s mentally wasted. She’s in his face every day. Reminding him of why his brother is dead. It’s heartbreaking.”

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