Page 19 of Fear the Reapers

HARLEIGH

All three of my guys—atleast that was how I had started to think of them—filed into my room one after the other, making themselves at home. Like they’d always belonged here. None of them had said a word to me since I walked in the door downstairs.

Then again, I hadn’t expected or allowed them to say anything.

As expected, when I asked for some space to take a shower, they all respected my wishes and allowed me the solitude. Now they were here, waiting in complete silence, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. I was struck speechless, my mind spinning with all the things I wanted to ask but couldn’t find the words for.

I stood still, taking in the sight of them for a moment.

Dimitri, being the same old smartass I remembered, had made himself comfortable in the middle of my bed. His head was tilted back against the headboard, and his eyes were intently locked on my every movement.

Hunter stood with his arms crossed, his face guarded as he leaned against the wall. His body was taut with unease, and a faint, but distinguishable hum of apprehension filled the room. He was coiled up like a snake, ready to strike at any moment.

Brax had taken a seat in one of the dining chairs in the corner of the room, the cushions of the chair sinking beneath his weight, near my small table. He was quiet and calculating, observing his surroundings. He surveyed the room, taking in the sight of the other guys watching me intently.

I stood near the door, feeling the chill of the air against my skin, my thoughts racing but unable to find the words. For the first time in my life, I felt completely and utterly lost. We had so much to talk about; my thoughts raced as I tried to decide which questions to ask first. I was overwhelmed by the difficulty of this task, and I couldn’t figure out why. This wasn’t the first time they had all been in the same place, but the first time they had all been in my room, feeling the warmth of their presence.

My heart sank as I realized the reality of the situation didn’t match up with the image I had in my head.

“You look like you’re waiting to be lined up for the firing squad,” Dimitri broke the silence, then patted the bed next to him. “Why not take a load off and let these assholes ask whatever questions they feel need answered?”

I heard a faint rustling of clothes as I glanced at Brax and Hunter, waiting for their response. With no one opposed, I moved to the bed and settled on the edge, taking in the comforting smell of fresh linen. I let out a startled scream as an arm snaked around my waist and I felt myself being moved. Before I knew it, I was being hauled back onto the bed.

“Let me go,” I gasped as I elbowed his chest. “Let me go,” I kept repeating as I tumbled off the bed. I scrambled back into the corner, my eyes wide with fear and my ears filled with the sound of my own erratic breathing. I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling my heart racing and the sweat on my skin as I fought to regain control of my breathing.

It was like I was being pulled further and further down into the ocean, the weight of the water crushing me on all sides. My chest constricted, a wave of stars seemed to sparkle in my vision. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to ignore the queasiness that filled my stomach.

Time seemed to fly by, the hours seeming to pass in a matter of minutes. When I finally came out of it, I felt a slight chill in the room and glanced around. A feeling of uneasiness crept into the room as everyone’s face displayed sheer terror. Oblivious to what had been happening around me, I took stock of the room. The chair Brax had sat on was overturned, and Hunter had his strong arms around him, almost like he was attempting to restrain him. Dimitri had inched closer, until he was close enough to reach out and touch me from the edge of the bed, but he hadn’t.

I was deeply grateful that they had the wisdom to keep their distance.

In the state I was in, I wasn’t sure what I would do to them if they did.

“Are you okay?” Hunter asked as he released Brax and took a step forward.

“I’m fine.”

“That was so far away from fine,” Brax argued.

“Just leave it.”

He lifted his arms, the sound of his heavy breathing echoing in the air, in a sign of surrender.

“I’m sorryKisa,” Dimitri said from his seat on the bed.

“There’s no way you could have known.”

“Still, I think we should warn the guys,” Hunter suggested.

“And what are you gonna say? That I wigged out?”

“Wigged out?”

“You know what I’m talking about. The last thing I need is for them to treat me like I’m some fragile little bird.”

“If that’s what you want.”

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