Page 61 of The Butcher

“He won’t be.” Clay clears his throat. “I’m not sure he’ll be much of anything to anyone, not tonight. We didn’t get very much info from Pap, and Nan was shouting in the background but we didn’t get much from her either. Just that Bram is hurt, and we need to get to their house.”

Pulling on my hat, I turn to see Nash join him at the doorway, my boots in his hands, and seeing them together like this? Wow.

I actually sway on my feet, the overwhelming weight of their concern emanating from them so strongly that I can feel it. I feel it right down to my bones and even though their expressions hurt my heart, there’s a strange level of what I can only describe as relief that fills me when I look between them and see something I have never seen before.

“You love him.” It’s not a question, it’s a fact. Ironclad. Solid. Something I just know. Why else would they look so incredibly wrecked right now?

Honestly, it’s been obvious that they have a deeper connection with Bram than anyone else I’ve met, regardless of how angry with him they’ve been. Which has been extremely, but that didn’t curb the feeling I didn’t understand until right now. I can see it, I can almost touch it. At this exact moment, the undeniable love they have for the man who hates me is so clear it makes my heart beat a little faster.

I want that.

Knowing how these men feel, it truly does bring me some sense of relief, some sort of calm after the way my insides were all twisted up, but it doesn’t last, not even whentheyfeel compelled to almost explain the statementImade.

“We do,” Nash says as I walk toward them. “Very much, but it doesn’t change anything about?—“

“I know.” I nod, because I do. It doesn’t change anything going on with the three of us—whatever that may actually be—and if anything, hearing that they love him makes me feel better about whatever the hell this is.

None of that makes any fucking sense to me, but that’s how I’m feeling, and I need to hurry so we can get out the door before either of them starts to cry.

I roll my eyes to myself as I finish tying my boots.

They aren’t that upset, not to the point of tears, but Clayton and Nash are extremely worried, more than before, and I can tell they’re barely holding themselves together right now.

I really hope that jerk knows what he has with these two because if Bram doesn’t, I might be inclined to let him know how wonderful his partners are, and then threaten to take them away for myself.

Will I do that?

Of course not, I’m not that brave, or that stupid, I don’t even know what’s going on or why they haven’t gotten rid of me yet, but I can almost feel their anxiety right now, and that’s enough for me to know this Bram doesn’t deserve either of them.

The closer weget to Mona’s house, the worse my stomach feels.

It’s been twisting and turning the entire ride, I’ve felt the need to wretch a few times already, but as soon as Clayton taps me on the shoulder and points out my window, I’m hit by a strange scent. It’s one that makes my entire insides take a nosedive and don’t bother coming back up.

“I’m going to be sick.”

I throw open the door and jump out, then run toward a tree, bracing myself on the trunk while I vomit all over its roots. I continue doing that until there’s nothing left, and I’m gagging so hard my eyes are watering and my nose is running.

“Indy?” Nash places his hand on my back, tentatively touching me before he starts gathering my hair in his hand. “Honey, are you?—“

With a painful heave, my body keeps trying to empty itself, forcing what little is left inside of it up my throat and out through my mouth, the bile landing mostly on the alpha’s boots.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, trying in vain not to do it again. “I’m not sure where that came from.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I glance up at him before resting my head against the tree. “You should go inside.”

“Clay went in. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Never better.”

Nash huffs, “Look, Indy, I don’t like the idea of leaving you out here alone. I can tell you’re going to fight me on it, so I figured getting that out now shaves a little time off of the argument.”

Wiping my mouth on my sleeve, I take a few deep breaths then stand, my hand back on my stomach as if that’s actually going to help anything going on, and shake my head. There haven’t been many opportunities for them to learn how stubborn I am, and I am very stubborn, but despite my desire tomake this a learning experience for the alpha standing next to me, fate intervenes instead.

“Hurry up!” Mona shouts as she rushes toward us, the entire front of her apron covered in blood. “He’s waking up and?—“

“Stay with Indy,” Nash yells as he runs toward the house, shucking his coat as he goes. “And get her inside.”

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