Page 13 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

ChapterSix

Ruby

As soon as I see the back of David, who has run off to bring in reinforcements, I use the nightstand and the bed to haul myself to my feet. I let out a soft cry, allowing myself the weakness because I am alone for the time being. I steady myself and take a small step towards the bathroom. And then another. Once I get going, I don’t want to stop the momentum, so I keep going. I grip the door jamb and take a slow breath before I carry on. I reach the toilet and lift the lid. Ever so slowly, I lower myself down to the seat by gripping the toilet paper holder and the basin countertop.

“Aaah,” I whisper and close my eyes as the pain from walking subsides slightly. Luckily, Michelle didn’t waste time in slipping a pair of panties on me before she got to work on my wound. She found this loose, oversized Mets jersey in the drawer and dressed me in it after she patched me up with only a local anesthetic to numb the pain, which she jabbed me with before I could protest, and slapped a waterproof bandage on it. No way was she coming at me with an injection that was going to knock me out. Or any injection at all, if I’d had my say. I clench my jaw as the men come filing into the bathroom.

“Seriously?” I ask. “Can’t I even have a pee by myself?”

“You shouldn’t have tried to get here on your own,” Layton says.

“What do you mean tried?” I snap. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Finally finished peeing, which was like a fucking racehorse, I grab some toilet paper. I wipe awkwardly and drop it into the toilet. Then I stand up, again using the holder and counter as leverage.

Layton tuts at me and leans over to flush it. Then he steps back. “Where do you want me to start?” he asks quietly.

I almost weep with relief that I don’t have to ask for his help. “Teeth,” I say, running my tongue over the fur.

“David, go and get a stool from the kitchen,” he orders.

David runs off and returns shortly, placing it near the basin.

I slowly and painfully slide my ass on to it. Layton gets to work with my toothbrush and the toothpaste.

“Open up,” he murmurs and presses the button on the electric toothbrush.

I do as I’m told, and he inserts the vibrating brush into my mouth. If this were any other time but now, I’d be laughing.

“Spit,” he says, and holds my elbow as I lean over the basin.

This goes on for a full two minutes. Fuck’s sake. What is he? A closet dentist?

When we are finally done with my teeth, he steps back again. The other three men are still hovering silently.

“What’s next?” Layton asks.

I love him for leaving this all up to me and stepping back to give me space. I hate that he has to. I hate that I need him to.

“Hair,” I whisper.

He turns on the shower. I freeze, but then he holds his hand out for me to grip and haul myself off the stool. He lets me go and grabs the stool, placing it in the shower. It will be ruined, but I give him a grateful glance. My fists clutch the hem of my shirt. I can’t. I just can’t.

“You don’t need to take it off,” Layton murmurs.

I nod before I step gingerly into the shower. Using the taps to steady myself as I slide back onto the stool, my back curves as I hunch my shoulders against the warm water. Layton removes his jacket and I gasp.

“Oh,” David murmurs when everyone clearly sees what is etched into his arm. My name gouged into his flesh.

Layton ignores everyone’s reaction and leans into the shower, scooping up my hair to drench under the pleasantly warm water. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right. I sigh and close my eyes as he works his fingers through my bloody, tangled hair, gently massaging the shampoo into my scalp and rinsing it out. I’m disappointed when he’s finished. I open my eyes to see him rummaging through a drawer under the basin and coming out with a hair claw clip. He sticks it between his teeth and sweeps up my hair, twisting it up and holding it in place with the clip.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

“Can you manage the rest on your own?” he asks quietly.

I lower my eyes and accept the help he is offering. I shake my head.

“Get out,” he says, turning to the other men. “Go and wait in the kitchen.”

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