Queen of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #4) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,37

swore, holding me tighter and I had never felt so secure about those two things in all my life.

But I wasn’t content yet. I needed the others close. My mind was foggy and things were slotting together all too slowly. I jerked away as I remembered the virus that plagued my body and panic tore through me. I’d nearly lost Kyan to this monster once before, I couldn’t see that happen again.

“It’s alright,” he growled, catching my hand and not letting me put one more centimetre between us. “I had it before. I have protection. And I’m not leaving your side, Tatum. You didn’t leave mine when I was on my knees. I will repay the favour to my wife whether you agree to it or not.”

I took in the bandage on his arm and the nicks and bruises lining his flesh, including a huge, blossoming red and blue mark across the centre of his chest. “Kyan,” I gasped and he dragged me closer again as I lay my mouth on the blazing flesh. “What the hell happened to you?”

“I took a bullet or two for you,” he said like that was nothing. “Small price to pay, beautiful.”

The fear of knowing those bullets could have killed him made me seize up and he released a growl in his throat as he noticed my concern. He captured my chin, tilting it up until my lips found his, soothing my worries. I knew it was dangerous, but we were already sharing air and he was right, he should be protected from the virus for a few months at least. That was what they’d reported on the news. Though nothing was certain.

His tongue met mine with a fervent, desperate kind of hunger that made my body tremble and a moan of need chafed my sore throat. I tried to pull him even closer, but found my muscles still weak and the longer I kissed him without coming up for air, the more my lungs laboured and burned. A murmur of pain escaped me and he broke the kiss, his dark eyes stormy and furious as I sagged against him.

“Take these. Saint’s got every vitamin and painkiller you’ll need to get through this.” He grabbed a glass of orange juice and a bunch of tablets beside it on the nightstand.

“Will they make me sleep?” I asked in fear and he shook his head. “Promise?” I breathed. “I don’t want to sleep. I want to be wide awake here with you.”

He cupped my cheek, pain glittering in his eyes as he sensed my distress. “They won’t make you sleep. You’re not going anywhere you don’t wanna go, baby.”

I took the glass and washed down the tablets, my throat scraped raw from screaming and coughing.

When I’d drained every drop, he placed it back down and pulled me against him, his arms winding tight around my waist. He explained how they’d driven us back here in Saint’s car, sneaking me into The Temple then given themselves all vaccines – a fact which made me seriously happy. I may have been through hell at the hands of Troy Memphis, but if it meant my boys were going to be safe from the Hades Virus, then going through that pain had been worth it in one way.

I’d have to remain hidden here now. No one could know I was at Everlake. If word got back to Saint’s dad, I was fucked. They all were too. I wasn’t sure what the future held or how we were going to get away with what we’d done but for now, I was too exhausted to feel anything but relief over being here.

“Thank you for coming for me,” I said, tears of gratitude pricking my eyes.

“Always,” he swore, his lips brushing my temple. “Tell me what you need. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“I want to see the others.”

He nodded and my heart beat harder at the thought of them all being close again. I knew they couldn’t come into this room, that I’d have to isolate until I was better. But I would get better. No force on earth could take me from my men again now I was returned to them.

Kyan took his phone from the nightstand, sending a message to the group chat then wound his fingers around mine. I felt his eyes on me and I lifted my chin to meet his gaze, soaking in his presence as peace washed through me.

“Tatum,” he sighed. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“For what?”