Page 10 of Demise

“Not now,” Ronan snaps as he wraps me into his arms.

I want to tell him how much pain I’m in, but at the same time, I never want him to let me go. I didn't realize until now that I’m shaking, uncontrollably so. My eyes peer behind us to see Vincent still on top of Corwin, his face practically raw hamburger meat at this point. That doesn’t stop Asher from joining in. His steel-toed boots deliver kick after kick to his stomach, forcing screams and groans to escape him. Blood and teeth spray and scatter across the beige carpet, but neither of them look close to stopping.

Liam’s eyes frantically scan the room before landing on me. They zone in on my face. With all the blows to my cheeks and nose, I’m sure I look like I’ve been through hell.

“Did he touch you?” Ronan asks, pulling me away from him so he can look at me.

My stomach curls at the reminder of his hands on me. Vincent and Asher pause in their assault for a moment, all eyes on me when I give a shaky nod. Fury ignites in all their eyes, but it’s Liam that makes the first move.

He reaches for the lamp on the side table, yanking it straight out of the wall before holding it above his head.

“Burn in hell,” he grumbles before bringing it down with such force Corwin’s head makes a sickening splat sound.

I cringe at that, looking away from the gore as Ronan tucks me into his chest again.

“It’s okay, we’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you,” he says as he goes to stand, attempting to pick me up with him.

I wheeze as my body tenses in pain, and he freezes, setting me back down.

“What’s wrong?” Ronan asks.

“Where are you hurt?” Wesley asks before Vincent steps in, shoving Wesley back several feet.

“Get the fuck away from her! Where are you hurt, Siren?”

I look into his eyes, the blood lust and rage slowly receding, leaving only concern in their wake.

“M-my ribs,” I stutter. “I th-think they’re broken.”

His jaw tenses, and he blows out a harsh breath through his nose before nodding once. Vincent pushes Ronan away, forcing him to release his hold on me, which, surprisingly, he does.

Slowly, Vincent wraps his arms around the back of my legs and my upper back, being careful not to jostle me too much as he lifts me up and moves me out of the room. My eyes land on the bed, my mother’s clothes still there, and I panic.

“Wait! The clothes, the clothes! I need them!” I rush.

Asher moves over to the bed, scooping them up as I point to the duffle bag.

“Th-he bag, too!”

He grabs the bag as well, closing the distance between us before resting his forehead against mine. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. Everything that could be said is felt in this moment. Liam steps beside me, his fingers gentlytouching my hand. I startle at the contact, my head whipping around frantically; why, I’m not sure.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s just me. You’re safe,” Liam croons softly.

I inhale a shaky breath before I blow one out. My eyes go from Liam to Asher to Vincent and Ronan, then finally Wesley. All wearing broken-hearted expressions that vary between them all.

“Take me home, please?” I ask the room.

“We’ve got you, Siren. We’ve got you.”

Chapter Five

Ronan

Vincent carries her carefully through the fucked up home/warehouse. Wesley jogs in front, opening the front door for him as he blows past without a single look. Liam is limping beside me, Asher on his left as his eyes move through the place, disgust written all over his face.

Wesley hits the key to his car, unlocking it before holding the back seat door open for Vincent. Asher pushes ahead, rounding the car and opening the other side before he slides in.

“Rest her head on my lap, keep her straight,” Asher says.

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