Page 150 of Beautifully Wounded

And they did, numerous times. But now, even though one could argue that perhaps I’m not in a very safe environment, I do, however, feel safe.

Not even my parents could give me that.

“I’ve been here for a week,” I say quietly, watching Ringo’s face for a change in his expression.

There isn’t one.

“I know.”

“Are you going to send me away?”

This time, there’s a slight shift. His lips thin a little, and he sucks in a deep breath.

“No, but I need to find somewhere else to keep you safe.”

My shoulders relax at hearing that. I know I’m getting attached to him when I shouldn’t be. I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps that’s my toxic trait. Becoming too attached. I was like that with Daniel. It happened so quickly, just like now.

“Where?” I ask, not liking the idea of not knowing where I’ll be going.

“Not entirely sure, Angel.” Ringo sighs, moving the ice pack so he can glance up at me. “I’ll figure it out. Can you give me a day or two to recover from this?”

Guilt. It slams into me hard.

“Of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be pushy or—”

“Stop,” he demands, and as always, I obey. “You’re not being pushy. You’re just asking a relevant question. I’m not annoyed about that, Angel.” He takes my hand from holding the ice pack at his forehead. “If I sound grumpy, it’s only because the pain is kicking in. It’s not you, I promise.”

“Shit. Do you want some meds or something?”

He shakes his head, still peering up at me.

“What about, like, illegal drugs? I’ve seen the white powder stuff they’ve been using out there. Do you need that?”

This time his smile is big. “You’d get me some blow if I wanted it?”

I shrug. “I guess. If that’s what you need.” Whatever the hell blow is.

He threads his fingers with mine then, and my heart does a little flip.

“I don’t drink or do drugs, Angel.”

I frown at that.

“You don’t? But why?”

He does a one-shouldered shrug. “You’ve seen how quickly an emergency can happen around here. We need to be alert all the time, and since I’m the Sergeant in Arms, I figure it’s my duty to make sure I’m coherent every second of the day.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility. Don’t you want some down time?”

“Nah. I prefer to keep busy.”

I study him, wondering if there’s more to it than that. He’s just so hard to figure out.

Ringo yawns, stretching a little as he does, the towel slipping a little lower on his hips.

“You should sleep.” I rush out, dragging my gaze from the part in the towel, like I’m secretly hoping it spreads further to reveal what’s underneath.

Maybe I am.

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