Page 61 of The Secret of Pain

"I didn't know," I say quietly and reach over, finishing the whiskey Bauer left behind.

"I know you didn't, you have a tendency to get a little wrapped up in your own head, and that's fine. We love you, and we wouldn't change a thing about you. Usually you're wrapped up because you're trying to keep one of us out of the line of fire, but just for now, take it easy? Don't go rushing off into the night with any heroics, okay?"

"I can do that." I sigh. Fuck my life, poor Bauer. I'm such a selfish bitch right now, and I kind of hate myself for it. "Is there anything I can do here?"

"No, Bauer's got everything handled. Just be here for him, especially until Colt comes back." I nod at him and slump in my chair.

"Sorry."

I sigh again, and he puts his hand on my thigh. "Don't be sorry, Remy. Just know that you have people counting on you, watching out for you, even when you don't want it."

"Are you okay?" I ask, noticing how tired he looks.

"I'm fine, I've just been helping Dad look into the material in the bullets we pulled out of your dad. No one's heard even a whisper about it, and its composition is so strange."

"I'm sure your dad will work it out." I smile and squeeze his hand.

"I hope so, because the other factions are deadly enough. With this at their disposal, they could wipe us all from the earth and wreak havoc until we begin to cycle back." His head droops, his chin resting against his chest, and it hurts me to see him so harrowed.

I stand and wrap my arms around his shoulders. He turns and buries his face in my chest, his arms tight around me. A shudder runs through me, and I wonder again how I can care so deeply, react so extremely to both him and Kain.

Especially knowing that despite Kain's declaration that he would share me, I will have to give one of them up. I’m not sure I could ever choose and I sure as hell couldn't be with them both and lie to one of them. It is bad enough the lies and secrets I carry already.

I stroke his hair and just hold him until the tightness in his shoulders seems to subside. Creek has always been a sensitive soul. So strong, so willing to carry the burdens of others, but so unwilling to let others carry the weight on his shoulders. It is a privilege that he still lets me be that person for him.

"You should sleep," I tell him softly, and he pulls back from me, looking into my eyes and making my heart flutter.

"I could say the same about you."

"I will, once I check on my dad and my brother." I smile down at him.

"Fine," he says, pushing his chair back and standing with a groan. I follow him up the stairs, trying my best not to appreciate the man in front of me when it seems so inappropriate, but Fates above, I only have so much strength.

"Stop checking out my ass." He laughs softly, and I swat it.

"Shouldn't put it in my eye line if you didn't want me to ogle." I match his laugh with my own, grinning at his back.

He walks down the hall to the bathroom, and with one final glance at him and that ass, I go the opposite way to my dad’s room where the door is already ajar.

I walk into the silent room, and find my dad with more color in his face than he had this morning. I smile, thankful that he seems to be healing quickly. With the bullet matter unknown, we don't know how long it will take for him to heal fully, but I have hope that it won't be long. My dad is a fighter—he won't let something like this keep him down for long.

I take his hand and just sit with him in the silence for a while, enjoying the peace of being able to be here with him.

When I feel myself drifting toward sleep, I put his hand back by his side, and make my way to Bauer’s room. I knock, but snores answer me. I sigh, sorry that I missed him, but there is always tomorrow to apologize for being such an ass.

I head to my room, and don't even bother with the light when I enter. I kick off my Chucks and strip down to my tank and panties, undoing the ponytail in my hair, sighing with the relief of it. I slip beneath my sheets before I sense that I'm not alone. I hold my breath, but I realize it’s Creek, and he's already asleep on top of the comforter. He must have been waiting for me.

It is not the first time he's slept beside me, and I don't want to disturb him. He looks so peaceful so I turn over, and close my eyes, the soft sounds of his breathing lulling me to a deep sleep.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I wake, the heat stifling. That’s when I remember I'm not alone, Creek is wrapped around me, like my own personal cocoon. I smile, even if uncomfortable from the heat. I try to lift his arm to get up, but he groans and pulls his arms tighter.

"Go back to sleep," he murmurs, burying his head into my neck. I shiver at the feel of his lips on my skin, goosebumps covering my entire body.

"Maybe I don't want to sleep," I whisper back to him. He pulls me even closer, and despite the comforter between us, I can feel his hardness digging into my back.

"Do not tease me, Remy." His voice, full of sleep and gravelly, makes my pussy clench. I might have said I wasn't ready, implied that it was too soon, but my traitorous heart seems more than ready to move on from Jack, despite the lack of time, recognizing that what I felt for him was not true love. Not like I feel for Creek. For Kain.

---