to repent now or suffer my wrath, I am the vengeance of the Lord.”
I gasped. “So this crazy guy attacked Ash just to send a message to me?” I asked Roman, looking for confirmation even though I knew it was true. Roman nodded, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe. It had never occurred to me he might hurt someone else to get to me. So far, everything had been so focused on me.
“I didn't tell the cops any of that,” Ash continued. “I can’t even imagine the shit storm it would cause if Malcolm Coben the third’s gay best friend got beat-up to send him a warning.”
“Ash, I am so sorry—”
“No, Trey, you will not do this. You have been carrying around the weight of other people’s actions long enough, between having to be the perfect son to prove your mother’s books right, to being your father’s perfect straight son. You’re not going to bear the weight of this asshole’s actions on your shoulders as well.”
“He’s right, babe. This is not your fault,” Roman insisted, pulling me in his arms.
“It sure feels like it is,” I mumbled into his chest soaking in his warmth for a second, then I sat up and turned back towards Ash. “And now look at me. You’re the one who got the stuffing beat out of you, and here I am acting like I’m the one who got hurt.”
“Trey, you care about people. Of course it would hurt you to think someone close to you was injured because of you. I have no doubt he knew that, but it’s not your fault. Now, guys, I’m seriously beat”—he reached up and touched his face again—“no pun intended,” he said with a wry grin. “I really want to get some rest, but would you guys mind if I slept down here? This recliner is insanely comfortable, and I want to watch the fish.”
“Not at all,” Roman assured him. “They’re supposed to be really relaxing. Let me get you a pillow and a couple blankets, and then Trey and I’ll get out of your hair.”
I watched as Roman hurried up the stairs, and I turned to Ash. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. It hurts, not gonna lie, but I’ll be okay. I may even get a cool scar out of it. That will make me look dashing and add an air of mystery to my persona.”
“You’re ridiculous. I love you, Ashby Sutherland. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”
“I’m just fine, and I love you, too.” He motioned towards the stairs. “And I don’t think I’m the only one.”
“Your brain is addled from the attack. It’s way too soon to be thinking things like that.”
“My brain may be addled, but my eyes work just fine, and I see the way he looks at you.”
“Whatever,” I hissed at him as Roman started back down the stairs.
Roman
I woke up before anyone else the next morning and went down to make breakfast. After I brought Ash a couple of blankets so he could get comfortable, Trey decided to stay downstairs with him for a while. I showed Trey were to find me, and then I left them cuddled up on the couch and went to bed. I’m not sure what time it was when Trey made his way up to my room, but at some point, he slid in next to me. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close, drifting back to sleep.
It was Ash who came into the kitchen first. “That smells fantastic,” he said, taking a seat at the bar, wincing as he sat.
“Hurt?” I asked.
“Yeah, like I was hit by a bus.”
I reached into a basket that sat on my counter and grabbed a bottle of pain relievers. Then I got him a bottle of water. “Take these. Food will be ready in a second.”
“I kind of feel like this is more than your typical over the counter pain, but the doctor said I couldn’t take anything else until a few days after the injury, and I figure I won’t need them by then.”
“Most likely not. But a hot bath in a jacuzzi tub might help. I have one in my bathroom you’re welcome to use.”
“That sounds divine,” he said, swallowing the pills.
“I feel like I should warn you that my brothers will all be here later.”
“Really? Are they all as hot as you are?” he teased.
“You’d have to ask someone else about that. I don’t think I’m