Page 114 of Wolf

It’s a curious thing. All the rage and pain I’ve denied feeling since Lilli took off is now the balm I need. I don’t care what anyone says. The Abernathy’s deserve what’s coming to them.

I’ll bide my time because it has to be right and I can’t risk Mercy getting hurt but in this, I’m resolved. Those fuckers will never hurt one of their daughters again.

Although I tried to see Lilli last night, they barred the door and only refusing to sleep anywhere but in my own bed allowed me to see her. For the most part, she slept right through it while I cataloged every bruise and cut, committing them to memory.

It’s only right that Mrs. Abernathy feels the same. Even God would agree…an eye for an eye.

During the day, I give Lilli her space because I don’t know how she feels about being around me, and after everything, the least I can do is spare her any additional pain.

I know this is the right thing to do but it doesn’t mean I’m not struggling.

I’m out by my bike, working over the chrome with a rag when Duke approaches. I’m not in the mood for small talk but I can’t ignore my brother when he says, “I saw Rose.”

“Oh?” I grunt. With Lilli’s injuries and Rose’s experience in that fucking basement, the slow, heavy burn of guilt has taken up residence in my chest.

I failed to protect my sister just like I failed to protect Lilli. No fucking wonder she walked away. Who could blame her?

Still, as the days pass and I can only content myself with sleeping beside Lilli in the darkness, my need grows. It’s not all sexual although it's hard to be so close to her and not get hard. I miss the girl who looked at me like rainbows shined out of my ass.

Will that young woman ever come back? Or is she gone for good?

“Yep, she’s doing better. Still won’t talk about it,” Duke says.

I hope to my bones that my sister wasn’t raped but I can’t rule it out because she’s a locked fucking vault. Our mother has taken to calling me daily, harassing me to see Rose but that’s not my fucking job and if my sister wants to speak to her, she knows her number far better than I do.

“Stubborn,” he mutters. When I don’t respond, silence descends between us, and I glance at him sideways.

He’s tapping his thumb against his thigh while he stares off into the distance. Why is he fucking nervous?

Dropping the cloth, I turn to him and growl, “Tell me.”

“Uh,” he chuckles uncomfortably. “Lilli wants a shower. Miriam, can’t you know, pick her up…I can’t…it wouldn’t be…I thought, maybe…”

“Jesus, Duke,” I mutter, stepping around him. “I’ll take care of it.”

I’ll be damned if anyone else sees her naked and vulnerable. That’s my fucking job.

Lilli

Miriam doesn’t leave my side for two days. I sleep through much of it and on the third day, I beg her to let me take a shower. Although Toni has assisted me with sponge baths, I’m past staring at the wall while she wipes me down and changes the pad between my legs.

“Please,” I rasp, and she relents.

The bleeding has stopped, and I want to wash away the evidence on my skin. I know it won’t change a damn thing but maybe it will help me to avoid thinking about it every damn second.

“Fine,” she says before heading for the door.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“I can’t help you by myself,” she grumbles.

Once she’s gone, I consider my options before moving to the edge of the bed. Bad move because I’m doubled over and gasping when the door opens and a pair of boots, men’s boots appear in my vision.

Surely not?

“What are you doing?” he barks, and I raise my eyes.

Wolf’s hard stare burns my skin, and I wave my hand. “What are you doing here?”

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