Page 50 of Cursed Love
“No.” Ryan sighed. “Thank you for helping keep her safe. I think we now know why they want her so badly.”
Peter’s growl filled the car, and his eyes met Ryan’s in the rearview mirror. “Not going to fucking happen on my watch.”
Ryan caressed her face and noted the warmth radiating off her skin. The amount of power she’d used must have short-circuited her system. She was bouncing back faster than he’d expected. Releasing another long breath, he closed his eyes and sent the goddess a quick thank-you.
He decided after running different scenarios through his mind that he would leave her in Peter’s capable hands and gather supplies once they arrived. She was depleted of energy, and he could not leave her defenseless, something she would be if her body and mind did not heal quickly.
***
Brandy peered around the room, wondering where she was. She had just awakened from the most beautiful dream, where she had visited with her mother and grandmother. Sitting on a soft blanket in the forest, they shared stories. Stories of what, she could not remember. It had been peaceful, and as the warmth of her mother faded, her eyes filled with tears.
That was how Peter found her. He scooped her up, cradled her in his arms without a word, and pet her head like a child’s. When her tears dried up, he kissed the top of her head.
“Want to talk about it?”
She shook her head, unsure of what to say. She wondered why Peter was the one comforting her and not Ryan. As if Peter knew the path of her thoughts, he said, “Ryan’s on his way back. I’m sure if you reach out to him, he can tell you how much longer he’ll be.”
She nodded. The warmth of his chest pressed against her cheek. “Where are we?”
“At my place. Are you hungry?”
The thought of food made her stomach take notice and growl loudly.
“Call Ryan, and I’ll go make you something to eat.” Peter pointed at one of three doors in the bedroom. “The bathroom’s through there if you want to freshen up,” he said and settled her on the bed.
She watched him walk out and close the door behind him. The room was decorated in neutral colors. The king-sized bed she was on barely fit in the room. She wondered if it was his bedroom or a guest bedroom.
She hopped down from the comfortable bed and padded to the bathroom. One look in the mirror and she saw how horrendous she looked. Her skin was blotchy, and red, puffy eyes stared back.
Brandy glanced around and spotted folded towels in a basket. She undressed and placed one of the towels on the toilet lid. After setting the shower to hot water, she found her toiletries lined up neatly on the windowsill.
The long hot shower eased some of the tension in her body. She wrapped herself in the fluffy towel and entered the room to find her clothes. Feeling more human, she sat on the bed and closed her eyes.
“Rye?”she called.
“Thank the goddess you’re okay!”he said.
“How long have I been out?”she asked.
Brandy felt his hesitation. It was strange to feel it rather than see him react.
“Over a week…”
“Over a week?”she asked.
“I’m almost home and we can talk,”he said.
“Okay,”she said.
“Sweetheart?”he asked.
“Yeah, honey?”she asked.
“You scared us badly. I’m happy you’re okay,”he said.
She walked out as Peter carried her plate of food from the kitchen. She decided to eat it next to him, rather than by herself at the table. Unsure of what to say, yet again, and knowing Ryan wanted to be a part of whatever discussion was to follow, she ate her food in silence.
She was in the kitchen washing her dishes when the front door opened. Ethan rushed in and hugged her. “Glad you’re awake,” he muttered into her hair.
