Page 92 of Heathen

"You, too, sweetheart," Twisted says as he takes a step deeper into the room.

"The party isn't over," Morgan says, but her voice is distant.

I don't get the idea that she's egotistical enough to stay for a party. It just sounds like she has responsibilities and doesn't know if she can walk away from them.

"We've already started clearing the house," Bandera explains. "Waitstaff and the catering company you hired have been instructed to come back in the morning. It's all taken care of."

Morgan nods at him as she stands from the bed, a look of relief on her face, and it makes me wonder just how long this woman has been making decisions and hasn't had someone step in and provide a little reprieve. On the other hand, she could be a complete control freak and never gives anyone the chance to help her.

Either way, she doesn't argue when Twisted holds a hand out to her. She simply places her hand in his, gives Kaylee one more look over her shoulder to make sure she's okay, and then walks out of the room, shoulders shaking with the effort of her sobs.

"Baby," I whisper, unconcerned about Bandera standing near the doorway. "Look at me."

Her face is splotchy, her eyes red from crying so hard.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not hurt," she whispers, pressing her face into my chest, and I can read what she isn't saying.

This will have a lasting effect on her. I think that's only natural, but I would've done everything in the world to keep her from having been in this situation.

I should've followed her upstairs. I should've come up here sooner. I blamed the weirdos at the party and their intricate costumes for the warning that rushed up my spine when she walked up the stairs. I should've known better.

"Let's get you home," I say, urging my hands under her arms to help her off the bed.

As much as I liked seeing her in this wedding dress earlier, it's a real pain in the ass right now, having a million layers that I just can't find the end of as I try to lift it so she doesn't trip over it.

"Can you help me change before we leave?"

As much as I don't want to spend another fucking second in this house, I know it would be more practical if she were wearing something else.

She points to the bag on the floor, and I don't waste a second reaching for it.

"Give us a minute," I grunt at Bandera, but he's already stepping into the hallway and pulling the door closed behind him.

It takes longer than it should to get her out of the dress and into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt because I have to touch nearly every place on her body to make sure that she's physically uninjured.

The marks on her ankles, knees, and wrists make me want to burn the world down for her, and it easily cements my feelings for her. I've come across a lot of injured women during my time in the military and the training work I did with Cerberus beforecoming to Vegas, and as angry as seeing them has made me, it never had this level of an impact on me.

She clings to me as we make our way out of the room and down the stairs. I hate that I'm stuck driving the SUV back to the villa rather than holding her in my arms, but Twisted put Morgan in my vehicle, making me responsible for both of them, which I think provides Kaylee some comfort.

"Where is he going?" Morgan asks when Twisted simply dips his head and walks away.

"There's still a lot of work to do," I tell her, but I don't feel the itch to go help them right now.

All I want to do is get my girl back home where I know she'll be safe.

Chapter 38

Kaylee

"How is she?"

I jolt at the sound of the voice.

"Sorry," Ellis says as he pushes himself off the wall across from the room I just left Morgan in.

"I'm jumpy," I explain, giving him a small smile.

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