Page 32 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

"Jesus Christ," Levi breathes as his face drains of color. I've seen him torture men without a second thought, but this—this is different.

Sunny whimpers when we lift her into the shower spray. Levi slides in behind her, supporting her weight while I step in and hold her steady from the front. The water soaks through our clothes, but it helps buffer her from the force of the spray. All I can focus on is her face, the way pain and relief war in her expression as the warm water hits her skin.

I grab a washcloth, adding soap with trembling hands. The first touch against her shoulder makes her flinch. "Sorry, sorry," I murmur. Each gasp of pain she makes vibrates through me. I try to be gentle, but my hands feel clumsy and too big as I try to wash away her hurt.

"Cold," she mumbles, pressing closer. Levi wraps his arm around her, holding her securely while I reach behind me to adjust the temperature.

Her head lolls against my chest as I work, as she fades in and out. Sometimes she tenses, trapped somewhere with thingshappening I can't save her from. Other times she goes limp, trusting us to hold her completely. Both tear at my heart.

Levi reaches for the shampoo, his movements careful as he works it through her matted hair. His eyes meet mine over her head, searing pain reflected there. This is killing him too—seeing her hurt like this and being helpless to make it better.

If I could take her pain, take it all away from her and endure it myself, I would. I would suffer anything to make her okay.

The water runs deep, deep red, then pink, then clear. I keep washing her long after she's clean, unable to stop because she seems to take comfort in the warm water and gentle touches. My hands map out her injuries, committing each one to memory for when I get the chance to even the score.

Sunny's eyes flutter open, focusing on my face with startling clarity. Water clings to her lashes, making them spike together. For a moment, the world narrows to nothing but her eyes on mine.

"I love you, Z."

Everything stops. The water fades to white noise. Levi's presence behind her becomes distant. There's nothing but her eyes holding mine, nothing but those words echoing in my head. My heart pounds against my ribs as something fierce and protective and overwhelming rises in my chest.

When her eyes flutter closed again, my heart doesn't slow.

I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly before I force myself to look up, bracing for Levi's reaction. We've been dancing around this—our shared feelings for Sunny and the complicated mess we've found ourselves in for a while now.

I expect to see jealousy in his eyes, maybe even that cold resentment I've seen him struggle to hold back with me.

Instead, I find a quiet acceptance. His jaw is tight, but his expression is one of understanding. We both love her.

"We need to get her to bed," Levi says softly. He’s still working his hands through her hair, washing away the last traces of soap.

I nod, unable to find words yet. My thumb traces circles on her shoulder as the water sluices over her skin.

"Z?" Her voice is barely a whisper now, heavy with exhaustion and drugs. “Levi?”

"Right here, sweet girl." The words get caught in my throat before they find their way out.

“I’m here Angel.” Levi’s voice is shaky when it finally comes.

"You can't leave me. Please don't leave me alone, okay?" The vulnerability in those words crushes my chest. “I need you.”

"Never." The promise comes from both Levi and me simultaneously. Our eyes meet again over her head—more silent understanding passing between us. "Never again."

I reach around behind me to shut off the water and grab the towel I set on the counter. Levi and I both take turns drying her carefully. I whisper to her as we work—low, soothing sounds. I let her know that she's safe now. That she's home.

“You came back to us,” Levi murmurs, brushing wet strands of hair from her face. “We’ve got you now.”

Her body still trembles, but it's from exhaustion, not panic. Her breathing is less erratic, more relaxed.

Finally finished, Levi wraps the towel around her loosely. She sways on her feet, and I lift her into my arms again. My wet clothes cling uncomfortably to my skin, but she presses herself closer.

"So cold," she mumbles against my neck.

"We'll get you warm," I promise as I carry her into the bedroom. Levi follows, grabbing extra blankets from the closet.

Setting her on the bed feels impossible. I know it's irrational but I can't shake the thought that she'll disappear if I let go.

Levi arranges the pillows and blankets and waits patiently for me to lay her down. We work in sync to get her settled and as comfortable as we can.

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