Page 100 of Introvert

Steam was practically coming out of his ears, but Ryker said nothing.

"Anyway, as I was saying, Santino has issues. Tons of them."

"Not that many," Santino mumbled, but London ignored this.

"He came to me the night I got here. Saidheneeded a body to cuddle. No one else would share a bunk with him. So I figured why not?"

Elliot shook his head. "You said mutually beneficial. What was in it for you?"

London's cheeks went pink, and I realized I'd never seen her self-conscious.

"I've been having nightmares again," she said quietly.

"About him?" her brother asked.

She nodded.It was clear the person in question wasn't Santino.

"Oh Lo, I thought that was over."

"Me too, but they came back."

There was a beat of silence.

"I thought having another person there might help," she finished with a shrug. "It didn't reallystop the nightmares, but that was my deal with Santino."

Ryker dropped his arm.

"That doesn't sound so bad," Hayden said.

"Are you going to keep sleeping with him?" Ryker asked London.

She exhaled in exasperation. "I don't know.Probably."

"Why?"

"It helps him." London's gaze was defiant if a little hurt. "You know, Santino, your friend?"

Santino nodded. "It really does."

The big drummer shot a look at Elliot next. "You can't be okay with this. He'sa player, and that's your little sister."

Elliot gave him a shrug and tucked his hands into his pockets. "I don't have a problem with it.They're just sharing a bed.So long as London's good and Santino's good, I'm good."

Ryker looked like he was seconds away from breathing fire. As his eyes landed on London, I could feel the animosity there.

"Why are you still here?" he said.

"Ryker," Elliot snapped, but it didn't deter him.

"Don't you have your own life to get back to?"

London played it cool, pushing her hairback over her shoulder. "Ido, but I'll leave when I'm ready, not before."

"No one wants you to leave. Everyone wants you here," Felix said, throwing his brother a stern glare. "Isn't that right, Ryker?"

His older brother threw up his hands.

"Whatever, I'm out of here."

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