Page 66 of Inglorious
Footsteps pounded from the rec room, and the door burst open. Chill entered with a wild expression on his face. His eyes swept the scene in front of him, pausing on Sabre, drenched in what looked like soup. Luckily, it had to be cold, or he’d be screeching in pain by now.
“Hey, did Sabre try to steal the fuckin’ dinner again?” Chill demanded gently as he crouched and shuffled forward in an awkward crab crawl.
Meadow glanced at Chill, and he stopped moving. Tears tracked down her cheeks, and her arms were up to defend from any blow aimed her way.
“Do you want me to get Nanci?” Chill murmured, and Meadow shook her head. “Is it okay if Sabre leaves and goes to shower?”
“I’m so sorry,” Meadow wailed.
“Don’t be. I surprised you. Christ, I’m lucky you didn’t slam me with the fuckin’ pot,” Sabre joked and backed away slowly. His eyes hit mine, and he flicked his gaze at Meadow.
I nodded. Sabre had guessed the same as me—Meadow had been abused. Sabre left, and Chill edged his way forward again.My thighs were screaming, but I dared not stand up because the last thing Meadow needed was me towering over her.
Instead, I fell backwards on my ass with a grunt. Chill slowly extended a hand, and I was surprised to see a pack of tissues in it. Meadow cautiously reached out, her hesitation plain, but she took them and pulled one out. She wiped her face and looked ashamed.
“Sorry… my reaction…” Meadow swallowed hard.
“Meadow. Think it’s obvious that something happened. However, it’s not our way to force you to tell us anything. The only thing I wanna know is, are you safe, and do you need our help?” I asked.
“Yes, we’re safe. Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about the rest of today. Is it okay if Chill takes you home?” I asked.
“Inglorious, I can drive.”
“No, honestly, Meadow, I’d prefer Chill to escort you. That way, we know you arrived safe and sound. Leave the mess; I’ll have a prospect clean this up. Let Chill drive, honey, please?” I replied.
Meadow looked between us before nodding. “Okay,” she whispered and climbed to her feet. There was movement behind me, and Nanci appeared.
“Come on, let’s wash your face,” Nanci suggested and disappeared with Meadow.
Cautiously, I glanced at Chill, and although his expression was blank, I recognised the rage seething inside him.
“I’ll get Hercules to dig,” I offered, and with gritted teeth, Chill nodded.
“Find out who.”
“Will do,” I agreed and left. Sabre needed checking on. Meadow’s reaction had affected him, even though he’d not done anything. As I passed through the rec room, I spotted Rory and sent him in to clean the kitchen. I told Joe to get takeaway ordersand to pre-order them for delivery. Both prospects scarpered as I headed upstairs to Sabre’s bunk.
Loudly, I banged on the door, and Sabre opened it with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“You okay?”
“Sure. It was Meadow who had the bad reaction,” Sabre replied, stepping back as he dried his hair.
“Which affected you, too.”
“Yeah. But I’m handling shit,” Sabre said.
“If you need to talk, find me,” I offered, and Sabre nodded before he turned to get dressed.
That was my cue to leave.
Three hours later.
“Gory!” Kya yelled as she dashed through the clubhouse and landed on my lap. I winced as I saw her face and frowned at Razor, who’d been looking after Kya today.
“What did you do?” I muttered as Kya beamed.
