Page 41 of Cry For Mercy

Then fingers tapped on my front window, making me give in and lift my head. Whoever it was looked like a silhouette, with the sun behind them.

“Let me in, or I’ll break a window.” Adam yelled. Damn him.

I pushed myself up from the sofa, and practically staggered to the front door, wrenching it open as he reappeared there.

“What the fuck!” He declared, just as I lifted my hands to my face and gasped. “What happened?”

He took the opportunity to let himself in, shoving the door closed, and pretty much steering me back into my living room, and onto the sofa.

“What’s going on, Julie? I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was… uh… detained.”

I stared at his face, at the bandaging across the bridge of his nose, and the dark bruising which had started to develop around his eyes.

“Who did this to you?” I gasped, reaching for his face, and stopping a few inches away. He grabbed my hands, pulling them down to rest on his knee.

“Screw that. Talk to me, little angel. What happened to send you home in the middle of the day?” I felt stupid now. Pathetic. More so than I already did. I’d been freaking out because I thought he’d lost interest, or something had put him off, and he was out somewhere getting beaten up!

“Oh… uh… bit of a headache. Best to uh… rest it…”

He quirked a brow, and winced, closing his eyes for a moment.

“Just pretend I’m giving you concerned eyebrows right now. I can’t do it. But I am concerned. You didn’t want to speak to me, and I get it. I’m sure I’m the last person you want to see, especially looking like this, but I promise, the only reason I didn’t answer your calls is because someone was practicing their best fist bump. On my face.”

I sucked in a breath, feeling it catch in my throat.

“I was… I… just a bad day. It’ll pass. Do you need anything? Something to drink. Oh, painkillers?” Adam squeezed my hands.

“All I need is to know you’re okay. I’m afraid I’m going to be very needy right now though.”

I frowned at him. I think I was pretty sure there wasn’t anything I’d say no to at this point.

He dragged me closer, pulling me into his lap, and held me against his chest.

“This. This is what I need. And I think you need it too.”

It felt just as amazing as I thought it would. To be cradled in his arms, tucked against that strong chest. It felt safe. Like nothing could hurt me, as long as he held me tightly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked gently, and I shook my head, pressing my face against his chest, inhaling that masculine scent that seemed to seep into my very soul, and calm me.

He stroked my hair, pressing his lips against the top of my head.

“Maybe I can help.” He said finally.

**********

ADAM

Something had upset her, and I was worried it was me. I mean, I had been a little busy getting my face caved in by Marco’s fist, but I’d never want to make her feel unwanted or abandoned.

“I’m fine.” She whispered, her face immediately burrowing against me again. I felt like a fucking lion, protecting my lioness, putting myself between her and danger. The only problem was that I was starting to feel that she was the danger to herself. That she was harder on herself than anyone else, and soothing her would mean soothing that part of her, that seemed to make her second guess everything she did.

“Okay… can I make you feel better than fine?” I tried, and she lifted her head to look at me.

“Aren’t you in pain?”

I shrugged. “Not the first time someone broke it, won’t be the last, I’m sure. Sorry I look like I’m wearing a Halloween mask, though. Now… stop changing the subject. Tell me what I can do.”

She pressed her lips together, a sudden frown on her face.

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