Page 38 of As Thick As Thieves

“I am now that you’re here,” she said quietly, and I had no hope in hell of staying away from her. Not now when she was looking at me like I could chase her demons away with mine.

“I hope you know I’m going to hack your sperm donor to pieces,” I replied, refusing to call him her father. He’d lost that privilege when he’d hurt her.

“I know.” Her eyes were full of peace with that idea, which only enraged me more. It must have been horrific if she was okay with him being murdered. Maybe she didn’t realize how serious I was.

I stepped back before I could grip her too tightly and hurt her, needing space that she willingly gave me, and Cruz gave me a nod as he handed me a coffee. “Hey. I’m a little surprised to see you.”

“As if I’d let Drake leave without me,” I grumbled, motioning to the bag of his belongings on the floor. “Brought your stuff.”

“Thanks. You grabbed my guitar?” he asked with surprise, and I gave him a look as if he was stupid.

“Of course we did. That thing means more to you than anything.”

Penn watched us as she took in the conversation, but she didn't ask about the guitar. If Cruz wanted her to know, he’d tell her when he was ready. My emotions switched from anger, hurt, then to worry as I watched Penn with Drake, her tiny body seeming even smaller now that I was able to get a good look at her. There was no way I could get her under me right now, I’d fucking break her.

Her eyes flashed up to me as Drake talked her ear off, and I could only hold her gaze for a second before looking away.

“Come with me,” Cruz said quietly, giving me a nudge and sending Penn a reassuring smile as he led me along the hallway until we got to a bedroom. It smelled like her, and it didn’t calm the anger bubbling below the surface. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you looked at her? We did that. I’ve spent a month hating her for leaving, when she was trapped with that asshole being abused. Why the fuck did we believe Stone over her?” I bit out, making him shrug.

“Because we’ve always listened to him. Why would we question him now?”

“We should’ve,” I hissed. “How fucked up is she? Drake said she’s hurt really badly.”

He blew out a breath, frustration taking over his expression. “She’s on antibiotics for the infection and she needs the wounds cleaned and dressed regularly. I hate to say it, but if Lopez and Lavaro hadn’t found her, she’d be dead I think. Especially if someone else had bought her.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t raped or assaulted?” The thought caused rage to wash through me, but it simmered slightly as Cruz shook his head.

“Not that I can tell. She said no one touched her like that, so I’m going to believe it.”

“You fucked her already, didn’t you?” I deadpanned, amusement flickering in his gaze.

“I missed her, sue me. Did you know Stone’s been spying on her? Unless it was you being a creep by watching us through the computer camera last night.”

“I caught him spying on you guys,” I muttered. “The fuck are we going to do with him, man?”

“I’m going to kill him. Figured I’d let him watch his world fall down around him first, though,” Cruz replied bitterly, but I knew he wouldn’t. He was mad, but Stone had been his best friend for a long time now. “Are you here because you want Penn, or to give her shit? She’s been through enough, Knox. Please be nice.”

“I’ve been fucking nice,” I scowled, a sigh leaving him.

“For now. Have you been cleaning your leg properly?”

“It’s fine.”

“Jesus Christ, show me.”

“Cruz—”

“Shut the fuck up and show me,” he warned, squatting in front of me to lift my pant leg. “For fuck’s sake, asshole. This is the same bandage I put on it for you. You haven’t checked it?”

“I’ve been preoccupied with everyone else’s bullshit,” I said through clenched teeth, pulling my leg back when he tried to unravel the bandage. “Dude, leave it. It’s fine.”

“You could lose your leg, you dumbass. Stand still.”

“You’re a pain in the ass,” I bit out, and Drake chuckled as he walked in, leaning against the doorframe as Penn stood beside him.

“You’re an actual pain in my ass every night. Pretty sure you fucked my chest cavity through my ass last night.”

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