Page 103 of Rebellion

Sofia hunched further in on herself, trying to protect herself from the pain. But the blow wasn’t physical which made it so much harder to keep herself safe.

She slid her feet out of her shoes. They were the only thing of hers that she was wearing; everything else was borrowed. Although someone had gone out to get her some underwear, at least.

She hadn’t bothered with the bra. She was smaller than Miller and there wasn’t much there to support.

Especially since she’d lost some weight.

After her shower, she’d stared at herself in the mirror, taking in the way her cheekbones were pronounced, her sharp collarbones, her ribs.

She’d lost more weight than she’d realized.

Miller had talked to her cheerfully as she’d gotten ready, but Sofia hadn’t been able to offer much to the conversation apart from the occasional nod.

She’d noticed the hole in the wall but hadn’t worked up the energy to ask. It was likely better that she didn’t know.

Now, she was sitting in the back of Rogan’s car while Cillian drove them. Rogan sat behind Colm, who was in the front passenger seat.

Colm turned as she drew her legs up to her chest. “Put them down.”

Shock filled her as she lowered her legs abruptly, wincing slightly.

Shit. What had she been thinking?

She’d just shown all of them a weakness. That she was feeling upset and unsure.

She’d given them something they could use against her.

Idiot.

“Colm,” Rogan said in a firm tone that she didn’t understand.

Colm turned to glare at the other man. “It’s not safe to sit like that.”

She blinked. He’d been worried about her safety?

But didn’t he think her unworthy now? Used?

Dirty?

“He’s right, Sofia,” Rogan said gently. “Although he could have explained that instead of barking an order at you.”

She managed a small smile for Rogan. But she was actually grateful to Colm.

She was an Anisimov. She couldn’t show weakness.

As they reached the hospital, she slid her shoes on and followed Cillian into the hospital. It was midafternoon by now. She’d slept for longer than she’d thought. Rogan walked beside her while Colm followed them.

She could almost feel him breathing down on her.

“I don’t believe there’s any reason to walk so close to us, is there?” Rogan asked, glancing back at Colm.

What was that look on Rogan’s face? It was gone before she could decipher it.

She spun around, wincing as the too-fast movement sent sharp pangs up her back.

“Are you feeling all right, Sofia?” Rogan asked, reaching out to steady her as she stumbled slightly.

Was it her imagination, or did Colm just growl?

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