Page 37 of The Untamed

“What’d I miss?” CJ asks as he walks over to us, Jace on his heels.

I glance over his blood-splattered shirt and shudder. “Nothing worth repeating.”

Raegan tugs out of my hold and rushes over to CJ. He collects her in his arms and barely spares us another look before guiding her away from the crowd around the fire. Jace remains, his stare on my other sister lingering a little longer than I feel comfortable with.

“Let’s go,” I tell Ryder and gesture for Destiny. “She needs to get away from all these people.”

Especially these bad influences.

Ryder nods and then scoops Destiny into his arms as he stands. Jace takes a step forward, like he might go with us, but freezes when he meets my nasty warning glare.

I follow my brother to my cabin and then help her get settled. She curls up under the blanket and cries quietly. I’m sure this morning must’ve been traumatizing for them all.

“I’m going to check on Rae,” Ryder says after a few minutes. “Keep an eye on Dez.”

Sitting with my sister does nothing to quiet the raging thoughts in my mind. I’d been so eager to have people join us, but they’ve been nothing but stress and trouble since they arrived. I’m beginning to understand why Dad was so angry with us for bringing them around. Things were quieter and safer without them.

As if to punctuate my thoughts, I hear Ryder yelling just outside the cabin. I leave Destiny to see what the hell is going on, nearly tripping over Mage, who rushes into the cabin. Outside, I find Ryder shoving CJ.

“Hey,” I call out to my brother. “What’s the problem?”

Raegan stands in front of CJ and glowers at Ryder. “I can kiss whomever I want.”

“The fuck you can,” Ryder growls, baring his teeth. “He touches you again and I’ll kill him.”

I can tell Raegan is about to punch Ryder, so I rush over to them to prevent them from brawling. Grabbing Ryder by the back of the shirt, I drag him a few feet away from our feisty sister.

“Enough,” I tell them both. “Everyone is upset after what happened. You all need to calm down.”

“No,” Rae hisses at me. “CJ and I went through a traumatic event together. He kissed me and it felt nice. Comforting. I don’t need Ryder making a big deal out of it!”

Ryder starts forward, but my grip on his shirt prevents him from getting far. “Why did you kiss him? You barely know him!”

This is getting out of hand. Fast.

“You should leave,” I warn CJ. “Now.”

CJ’s brow deepens as determination sets in.

“If you stay, we’ll both kick your ass,” I snap. “Go the fuck away.”

So much for being the peacekeeper.

Raegan turns her nasty glare on me. “Traitor.”

CJ wisely storms off, but not without promising to find Raegan later. That comment makes Ryder bristle with rage.

When I’m sure my siblings won’t murder each other, I motion for them to both follow me. The hammock in front of Ryder’s cabin is empty, but the blanket Rowdy was using remains draped over it. I somehow manage to get both Ryder and Raegan to sit with me on the hammock, me being the lucky one to get squashed in the middle.

I try to ignore the warmth of Ryder’s thigh burning hot against my own. A few nights ago he’d sent confusing messages my way. It was as if he was flirting with me, which is insane because it’s impossible. And because it was probably another mistake on my part like with my wishful thinking and Logan, it never happened again. A blissful moment gone all too soon.

It was a fading memory until now, feeling his hot touch.

“This isn’t us,” I say softly, grabbing both of their hands. “We don’t fight like this.”

Both of my siblings snort.

“Maybe not you,” Raegan says with amusement, “but this is sort of our thing, me and Ryder.”

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