The shouts increased as they reached the med bay. When he burst through the door, the sight broke his heart.
“What are you doing?!” he roared to the group of men holding the boy down on the table.
Not only were they touching him without Carver’s permission, but it was obvious the young man was in distress. His whimpers nearly destroyed the little restraint Carver had.
Barreling into his men wouldn’t be good for morale. How could they ever trust him again if he flew off the handle for a complete stranger? He knew his Angels were loyal to him. Knew they weren’t actually hurting the boy.
It didn’t make his anger any less potent.
Doc grunted from the side of the room. It drew Carver’s attention instantly.
“He’s hurt himself. I need their help to be able to properly bandage him up. He won’t cooperate.”
Carver frowned at the news. He moved over to the table to see how bad off the boy was. The minute he approached, his men stepped apart. He knew they could sense the anger spilling from his every move. It wouldn’t do well for them to get in his way.
The boy’s gaze immediately met Carver’s once he was within view. His pleading gaze met Carver’s hesitant one. Before he could sink into those dark pools, he swept over the rest of the boy. He needed to know how badly he’d hurt himself.
Blood trickled from various cuts across his abdomen and arms. It looks as if he attempted to cause as much damage as possible without inflicting a life ending wound.
Why?
Carver wondered what made someone do this type of thing. Was it some type of self-punishment? Did the boy think the cutswould be enough to end his life? Had he expected not to survive? Was being here reminding him of life from before?
The questions ran through Carver’s mind one after another as he continued to look over the young man. By the time his gaze returned to the boy’s face, a calm had settled over the room. It was as if Carver’s attention settled him enough to bring down the panic.
“What is your name?” Carver asked softly.
His men watched with curious eyes. Without turning their way, Carver already knew this would be the next piece of gossip making its way through the Angels. It was rare for their prez to be gentle with anyone. For it to happen to this mysterious person was enough to heighten curiosity.
The boy didn’t reply. His eyes simply remained on Carver’s form.
“Let him go.”
With the command, his men released the boy. It took only a second for him to attempt to surge up from the table. Carver frowned at the movement, his hand coming up to stop the boy from falling. Rather than accept help, he flinched at Carver’s closeness.
Noise from behind them distracted everyone. Hex’s voice cut through the group, as did his footsteps, as he came to stand next to Carver. Slash appeared on his other side.
“Did he say anything yet?” Hex asked, his gaze firmly planted on the boy who looked between the three of them.
Carver shook his head. “Not a word. He’s terrified, but I’m not sure how to calm him down.”
“I’d like to try to talk to him. Maybe he speaks a different language.”
At Hex’s request, Carver agreed the other man should give it a shot. They didn’t have anything to lose. Besides, the boy needed to be bandaged up. Doc stood off to the side, ready asever to step in. He couldn’t until the patient remained calm enough for him to work.
If all else failed, they could sedate him. It wasn’t the ideal method. More a last resort.
They all watched as Hex went through the various languages he knew. Each attempt left the group wilting more and more. Carver hated the unknown. There were far too many questions about the young man in his care, and without being able to communicate, he had no way of getting answers.
By the time Hex turned to Carver and shook his head, it was already obvious they’d run out of options. “I’m sorry, Boss. He didn’t appear to understand any of it.”
“Or maybe he wants us to think he doesn’t,” Slash added.
Carver turned to him, brow raised. “Why do you say that?”
“Because without being able to talk to us, he’s somewhat safer. He can pretend not to follow instructions. I imagine he was ordered around a lot before. A language barrier means he can’t be with us.”
“That means nothing,” Hex rebutted. “Plenty of people learn via force.”
