Page 71 of The Grief We Hold

“You’re in the shower next. I’ll take care of Fen when he gets out. For now, I’ll go grab us some dinner. You guys need some food in your stomach, and you could use some whiskey to deal with the shock.”

I turn to leave, but her hand grips my wrist.

“Don’t go. Please.”

23

RAVEN

It’s hard to explain what made me reach out for him like that.

Perhaps it was the simple fear of being home alone and unable to protect Fen.

Perhaps it was the way he threw himself on me to keep me safe.

But most likely, it’s just him.

In spite of everything, Wraith looks at me like he understands me. Like he can see right through to my soul.

“Let me make a call. Smoke can bring us some supplies.”

As he steps away, I again notice the blood. “Wraith!” I take in his injuries. The slices up his arms, the rip in his T-shirt. “Oh my God.”

“I’m okay, Blue. I’ll shower after you and it’ll be fine. We need to get you and Fen warmed up first.”

Something rips me out of the shock I was in and propels me to action. “We don’t. Call Smoke and ask if he’ll bring some medical supplies. We need to clean all those up so they don’t get infected.”

“I’ll take a shower. That’ll clean ‘em good.”

I wrinkle my nose. “No. It won’t. I’m sorry I don’t have much in here. I should probably have a first aid kit in case Fen hurts himself, but I just haven’t had the funds to…well. Please, it would make me feel better.”

I can see Wraith wants to say no. It’s in the gentle roll of his eyes. “Fine.”

“I’m just going to check in on Fen while you do.”

He runs a knuckle over my cheek. “Good to see you getting some color back, Blue. You had me worried.”

“And you have me worried, now. I know we didn’t…last time…you know. We said some things. But I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you were there earlier for me.”

“Me too,” Wraith admits.

He reaches out and touches the ends of my hair, and I want to stand here with him, wrapped in this moment, but I hear a clunk in the bathroom, then laughter.

Both of us look in Fen’s direction.

“Fen and I…we’re a package deal.” I don’t know what makes me blurt this out at this moment.

Wraith presses a kiss to my forehead, then smiles softly. “I know.”

“I need to check in on him,” I say.

“I know that too.” He releases me. “I’ll go call Smoke.”

Fen has stripped and is about to get into the water when I get there. And there are bubbles everywhere.

“I spilled the bubbles.”

I stroke my hand over his hair. “That’s okay. I think today calls for bubbles. You doing okay, bud?” I dip my hand beneath the tap and then into the bath water to check the water isn’t too hot.

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