Page 76 of Deadly Rival

She jumps, then turns to face me. “You’re awake. It’s late. The doctor said not to wake you. I thought you’d end up spending the night here.”

I rub my hand over my face and wince. “Where is everyone?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not unchaperoned. Your guard dog is right outside.”

Guard dog? Oh God, she must mean Jacob. I smile, though it hurts. “I can’t wait to tell him you called him that.”

Her lips twist into a tiny smile. “I’m starting to think he’s not as scary as he seems at first.”

She might not think that the next time Quinn decides to make a scene in public and Jacob unleashes his personal brand of hell on her. But we’ll cross that disturbing bridge when we come to it.

“Wait till you see him eat breakfast. It’s terrifying.”

I let go of her hand and struggle up to a sitting position. My torso screams. Is the doctor sure there are no broken ribs? It feels like my bones are broken glass. Ophelia raises her voice. “He’s awake.”

A white-coated man appears, middle-aged and short with thinning sandy hair. Another doctor, not one I’ve seen recently. From the stern, non-deferential way he addresses me, I’m sure he’s a Brother. “You can go home, but to rest. No strenuous activity.”

“Deal. Netflix in bed. Got it.”

“And leave the bandage alone. That eye needs to be undisturbed to give it the best chance of recovery.”

Ophelia’s face twists at his words. Guilt. She’s feeling guilty her asshole brother blinded her captor. This girl needs some positive male role models in her life. I want to shake her and cuddle her and have her on her knees at my feet all at once. And I’m too sore and useless to do any of them.

“Sebastian. Is that clear?”

“Yes. Sorry, I was miles away. I’ll leave it alone.”

“Good. I’ll get a wheelchair.”

“No. I can walk.”

“Can you now? We’ll see.” Definitely a Brother.

***

It turns out, with Jacob and Gabriel’s assistance, I can. Each step is a little victory, and by the time I collapse into my own bed, I’m exhausted but satisfied. The guys leave quickly, shutting the door behind them, sealing Ophelia and me in. She still can’t leave this room without my thumbprint.

It seems redundant now. She went out of her way to save my life. She’s hardly going to stab me.

I strip off my shirt. I insisted on putting it back on, even though the guys told me it was stupid. I wasn’t walking across the Compound wrapped in a blanket like a crazy old man. Ophelia hisses, and I can see why when I look down at my body. Deep purple and blue mottles my skin. “You should see the other guy,” I say, then curse my stupid, stupid mouth.

The other guy. Her brother. Who is dead.

She lets out a bitter laugh. “Trust me, Sebastian, I’m glad I’ll never see the other guy again. Truly. I knew he was bad, but— ” She shakes her head. “—I think I pretended he wasn’t as bad as he is.” Her face falls. “But I’m worried about my dad. He’ll take it hard.”

Worried about her dad. After everything, she still cares about him. I suppose it makes sense. She cared enough about me to save my life.

I unbuckle my belt, then stop myself. Ophelia hasn’t taken anything off yet, and I can’t be naked when she isn’t. That would set the power dynamic all wrong, and even after everything, I need to keep it. That primal part of me, the part that wants to own this woman forever, insists on it.

“Get undressed,” I command, then wait. If she says “Or what?” I don’t have an answer. I’m in no shape to make her do anything.

She pauses for a long time, and I can practically hear her thinking the same thing. Then she shakes her head and pulls offher top. She reaches behind herself to unhook her bra, and her beautiful breasts tumble free.

God, I wish I wasn’t broken. The one part of me that seems miraculously unharmed presses against my trousers as she slides off her skirt and panties. Her firm, round ass is almost too beautiful to look at when I know I’m incapable of touching her. It’s torture, and as she watches me, a look passes over her face, brief but clear. Amusement.

The little minx. At least some small part of her is enjoying this.

Fuck.

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