“But they starved you,” Hawke grunted. “Anything else?”
I looked away and swallowed. That would be very hard to explain, even on paper. I sat back, leaned my head on the wall, and shrugged my shoulders, hoping that would be the end of that.
They didn’t need to know everything. Delilah didn’t need to know that burden. “Now might not be the best time,” Bones interrupted. “She’s had a busy afternoon. We should get her back to—”
Bear cleared his throat and stepped behind Hawke and Delilah. “Can I have her back now?”
I tilted my head farther back, staring at the man. He was certainly built like a bear, exceedingly tall, with broad shoulders, hairy arms, and a thick happy trail. As I studied him closer, I saw that the little white dots of tissue with red dots were knicks where he cut himself. They were gone now from the brawl; now he had a completely smooth chest.
I swallowed heavily when he lent me a hand and pulled me up to stand.
Now that I looked at him closely, bare chest and all, I felt extremely self-conscious. He was really handsome, sculpted from stone from the looks of it, and I looked like a little girl under his gaze. I could practically feel the heat radiating off his body, the loud hum of his chest, and I immediately wanted to curl back into his arms, but that would be insane and very—weird.
Not to mention he just beat up Bones. I probably should step away. So, I did, before I did or said anything stupid. He could like me one minute and then grab my neck, just like Bones.
Bear frowned down at me, his hand reaching out until another person spoke up at the door.
“I see that our special guest is awake.” The man had an unlit cigarette in his mouth and a sweaty forehead. His eyes were empty, void of emotion like he was an empty shell. But he did his best to give a fake smile that reached his eyes to try and put me at ease. “Welcome. We are happy to have you here, Nadia. I’m Locke, leader of the baboons here.” He tilted his head to me, and I nodded in thanks. “First off—Bones, you’re an idiot.” Locke pointed his cigarette at him.
Bones rolled his eyes. “It was faster to get her vitals while Bear wasn’t in the room hovering over her. I stand by my decision.”
“Still an idiot. Maybe I should let him choke you again.” Locke lit his cigarette. “Don’t do it again.”
Bones nodded. “I understand, Pres.”
Locke hummed and stepped toward me. Bear stood in front of me when Locke came closer and let out a growl.
A growl, like an animal.
“Bear, step aside.”
Bear again let out a growl, his hands balling into fists.
“I am acting alpha,” he whispered. “I give you my word I won’t touch her or scent her.”
I blinked, looking to Delilah for support. She grabbed my hand and squeezed, giving me the support I needed. Because right now, I really didn’t know what was going on.
Bear stepped to the side just a little, and Locke smiled down at me. It wasn’t a comforting smile, it was a smirk, and he pulled his cigarette away and blew the smoke away from me.
“Nadia, I heard you can’t speak right now. Is that right?”
I bit my cheek and agreed.
“There are a lot of people we would like to get out of the mansion. We want to save them like we saved you.”
My eyes lit up.
“We are going to need your help.”
Bear shuffled closer. “She isn’t ready to do that. She’s still recovering.”
Locke ignored him. “When I come to call you to ask some questions, would you be willing?”
My eyes darted to Bear, Delilah, and Bones. Not that I was seeking help or support, just to gauge the room. Could I trust these men? Could I trust everyone here?
They saved me because of Delilah. They helped me, but it had only been a week. I still had a long way to go to get better. I was still a broken mess on the inside, still a shell of myself, but who knew what other women were in that mansion suffering like I was?
Who else would help if not these men?
