Page 4 of Apex of the Curve

“Well, what’s the matter?” the older man asked. “Cat got your tongue?”

I swung my gaze back to the younger man, Fenris, and he cocked his head, staring me down and I couldn’t help it. I broke down, clapping first one hand, then the other over my mouth as a pitiful sob escaped.

“Oh, shit. Hey, now…” Fenris said, everything about his imposing presence softening, but it was too late. The flood gates were open and the tears just started to pour, and I couldn’t stop them.

Too much! This was just too much!

Oh, shitwas right.

I crumpled to the floor, sitting down hard on the edge of the landing at the bottom of the steps leading into the room, and hugged myself. I felt like such a freak, crying like that in front of these two strange men.

The older man in the kitchen turned his eyes away from me and grunted, jaw tightening, and I shoved both of my hands over my mouth to try and stifle the unpleasant noise coming from it.

The younger man, who had risen from the couch, who positively towered over me, grunted and came toward me. I scooted aside and pressed myself to the wall as it looked like he was going for the stairs and I wanted out of his way. He took a great step from beside me, skipping one of the stair treads and I tried to get myself together, but then his warmth hit my back and his boots appeared to either side of me. Strong arms went around my body in a stabilizing hug and he grated in my ear, “It’s okay. Let it out.”

I didn’t know what to do for a heartbeat, but then the next wave of emotion hit, and I dissolved against him like sea-foam on the shore. I took his invitation and I let it all out.

---