Page 110 of Deceit

“Seriously, what the fuck, man? You couldn’t have done anything to stop her? This is your crazy fucking ex we are talking about,” Liam says.

“She’s not my ex. She was a regular thing, that’s it.”

“Well, your regularthingjust assaulted myeverything.So I’m gonna need you to handle your shit before I do,” Ronan fills in.

Shaking his head, Asher tries to storm off when I catch his arm. He looks back in surprise, his eyes curious as he stays silent. His tense body softly relaxes as I speak.

“Thank you,” I say.

It’s like it takes his brain a few extra seconds to process the words before he blinks and nods, shifting his stance so he is no longer walking away. His eyes stay on mine the entire time he speaks to the guys. No matter how much I want to look away, I can’t because there are three golden flecks in his left eye that I’ve never noticed until now. How have I not noticed them before?

“Brenton ‘tripped’ with her plate, and it hit Skyla in the back of the head. She has six stitches, and a concussion.”

“I’ll kill the fucking bitch,” Vincent seethes.

That has my eyes pulling away from Asher’s as I release my hold on his arm to reach for Vincent.

“Please don’t. She’s not worth it. Can someone just take me home? Please?” I ask.

“I will,” all four of them say at once, forcing my eyes to meet each one of them.

“The more the merrier, I guess,” I say with a small smile, as I begin walking.

As a unit, they all surround me like some sort of private protection detail. Ronan is in front of me, Vincent on my left, Liam on my right and Asher behind me. It’s almost amusing how all of their heads seem to swivel at different times, scanning their surroundings thoroughly, like we are about to be attacked any minute.

When we get to my room we all spill inside before they form a straight line, all staring at me. Okay, this whole unified front thing is starting to unnerve me a bit. I wonder if this is what they practice at their Brethren meetings.

“What do you want to do, babygirl? Hot shower?” Liam asks.

Asher shoves his shoulder hard.

“No dumbass. She needs to keep her stitches dry for at least a day.”

Liam frowns like he’s disappointed for not knowing that and it hurts my heart a little bit. I take a few steps towards him, brushing my lips against his cheek before giving him a soft smile. He returns it, the sadness still there in his eyes but easing by the second.

“How about a movie?” Ronan offers.

“Not good for her with the concussion,” Asher interrupts.

Ronan cuts him an irritated look before Vincent steps up beside me.

“How about you fuckers get lost. It’s my night to watch her anyways.”

“You watch her every night regardless,” Liam scoffs.

“Exactly.”

“I told the nurses that I’d stay up with her and make sure she doesn’t sleep for too long. So I’m staying,” Asher says, as he plops down on the loveseat beside my bed.

I’m surprised that he wants to stay. The nurse just said I needed someone, it didn’t have to be him. When I have three other eager volunteers, you’d think he’d take the out and run. Something warms inside of my chest that he doesn’t want to.

“Well, if Asher is staying I’m not going anywhere,” Liam says, as he comes to stand by me and Vincent. “What do you say, Griggs? I’ll be the little spoon tonight,” he smirks playfully.

“Touch me and I’ll chop your fucking hands off.”

Liam makes an offended noise, as he shakes his head and slides into my bed first.

“I swear, you guys don’t know what you’re missing. The way men have begged me for just a touch would blow your minds.”

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