Page 96 of PET

My bottom lip trembles as a single tear slides down the side of my face and onto his hand. I’m so devastated and discombobulated, yet he grounds me and pulls a swirling desire from the depths of my soul.

I grab his forearms and stare deep into his gaze. “I love you, Z.”

The size of his pupils seems to do an involuntary reflex as he grins so wide, his eyes squint. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Billie.” His voice is sandy, low and deep.

He slowly leans down, brushing his lips against mine, but not actually kissing me. He’s hovering, waiting for my move. As more tears fall down my cheeks, my lips tremble against his before I kiss him. It’s a gentle kiss, one meant to evoke love and not lust. He doesn’t use tongue, nor does he open his mouth. I love when he alternates between my top and bottom lip, leaving an imprint of himself over every inch of my mouth.

Turning to shut off the faucet, he pulls me with him and then helps me into the steaming water. It feels good against my chilled skin, warming my tattered soul right along with it. When I’m seated, Zeke gets in behind me and pulls me to sit between his legs.

I lay my head back against his chest as he cups the warm water and pours it over my breasts. His other arm holds me tenderly, lacing our fingers together when I grab his hand. I love watching the water droplets gather at his fingertips before they fall onto my chest. Neither of us are speaking, completely content just being with one another. But like I’ve said before, I’ve always had a special connection with Zeke. We share something only the two of us can share. Just like what I have with Christian is individually special as well.

“I’m sorry about your mom, Billie. And I know me and Christian will never be able to replace her, but I want you to know I’ll always be your family.”

The dam breaks again, tears streaming down my face as I let out a sob I can’t hold back. I cover my face and cry until I can’t breathe. Zeke buries his face into my neck and holds me until I’m done, being the rock he always is.

We both jump when the bathroom door flies open and slams against the wall. I’m expecting Dana to wave guns around like a madwoman, but it’s a crazed-looking Christian. His eyes seek us out as he runs forward and drops to his knees beside the tub.

“Christian,” I whimper his name as I lean forward and fall into his arms.

He doesn’t give a shit that he’s fully clothed, half drenched from the splashing tub water as we embrace. Zeke keeps an arm around my hips as I feel him lean forward. I turn my face to see him pressing his temple to Christians. He was just as worried about him, wasn’t he? I just didn’t see it because I was blind in my grief.

“I’m here, guys, I’m here,” Christian rushes out, pulling the both of us closer to him. “Fuck, I’m here.”

But when we separate, I see all the scrapes and bruises—is that blood?—on his beautiful face and gasp. He flinches away when I touch some.

“What the hell happened to you, man?” Zeke asks him, concern etched across his brow when I look at him over my shoulder.

“The society sent their hounds to come fetch me when I didn’t comply with meeting up with, well… you know who.” He shrugs, leaning away from my intruding fingers as he sucks in a rush of air through his teeth. “I’m totally fine.”

Zeke lets out a snort before he asks, “Who were the hounds? Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali?”

My heart flutters when Christian smirks, letting out a rough laugh. “They sure fucking looked like ‘em.” He sits beside the tub, leaning his back against it with a groan as he holds his ribs.

“Need me to get out so we can go fuck some shit up?” Zeke jokes.

“Nah, man, you can finish your bath. They’re already here.”

“What?!” I shriek. “What are they doing here? Please don’t tell me this is you saying goodbye to us before they take you away and—”

Christian spins around and grabs each side of my face. “Calm down, little hellfire. Nobody’s going anywhere.”

He gently kisses my lips when I try to speak, kissing me harder until I forget what we were talking about. I moan against his lips when Zeke cups more warm water up over my bare back before he kisses the top of my shoulder.

“By the way, why aren’t you still stalking my father?” Christian asks when he breaks from my lips, looking at Zeke.

Zeke looks at me with a solemn expression. I know Z knows about my mom’s death, but does Christian? With a small nod, I let him know it’s okay to share my news. I don’t think I can say it out loud, anyway. It’s too soon for me.

Licking his lips, Zeke tells Christian what happened. “Billie’s mom was murdered in prison, dude. She found out while we were gone.”

His entire demeanor changes as he stares into the depths of my eyes, tightening his embrace on my face. “Little hellfire,” he whispers.

Another stream of waterworks leak from my eyes, sliding down my cheeks but never reaching my jaw because Christian kisses them away.

“What happened?” he asks Z.

“Not sure if we know yet.” Zeke leans forward and brushes his lips against my shoulders again. “Do we know, baby?”

I shake my head in Christian’s hands, licking the salty tears from my lips before I say, “Dana was waiting for the autopsy report from the hospital, but we haven’t received one yet. And her funeral is tomorrow…” God, saying those words makes it feel so unreal. I shouldn’t be burying my mother at seventeen years old. Not like this.

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