after you’d gone to bed. And a few hours before you woke up. Don’t give me shit for checking on you, Will. It won’t end well for you.”
I bit back my reply. Knew he’d done it out of love and not some creepy need to control me. But I couldn’t shake the idea that he’d been watching me while I was unconscious. Had probably touched me, even if in an innocent manner.
I swallowed heavily before I nodded. “Next time, just wake me up, Rafe. I’d rather you woke me up than just stand there and watch me.” I held his gaze steady. This wasn’t a joke and I wasn’t playing.
He winced. “Sorry. I didn—”
I held up a hand. “I know. But next time…wake me up.”
He nodded, shook out two little round brown pills. He ran me a cup of water. “Here. Take them now so by the time you get in the bath, they’ll have started through your system.”
I did as I was told, prayed I’d only have to take these two. Knowing I’d have to take more before I could move around on my own.
“Does anyone have ice?” I asked after I finished off the water.
A round of “no” sounded.
“A cool bath for about twenty minutes should be good enough,” Ryker said. He popped his head up and around to talk to me before going back to his conversation with Dom like it hadn’t been interrupted.
I looked over at Rafe.
He nodded even as he glared at Ryker. “What he said.” He came around the counter, wrapped his arm around my back as I gripped his free hand.
“A cold bath. How much fun,” I said drily. “I’m so excited.”
Rafe huffed a laugh. “Lucky you. I’m a little jealous.”
I snorted. “Right. And I’m a unicorn.”
He slapped a hand to my ass. “You’ve got the ass of one.”
I elbowed him in the stomach. “Rude.”
After what felt like years, we made it back to my bedroom. He ran a bath for me as I struggled to get out of my yoga shorts and sports bra. The bra was quick and painless. A sharp tug, a quick shoulder shuffle, and I was free.
The shorts, however, had decided to mold to my flesh with what felt like Super Glue. No matter how I pulled or pushed, the fabric wasn’t moving. I lay back on the bed, my chest heaving as the muscles in my arms fatigued.
“The door, Will,” Dom yelled at me from out in the living room. “For fucks sake. Tits.”
I slapped my hands over the small mounds. “Stop looking, pervert. I’m as close to invalid as I can stand right now. I might have to leave these stupid shorts on.”
“Tali, go help her,” Dom ordered.
I lifted my head, a huge smile on my face. I wanted to see the show that was about to premiere. My girl didn’t leave me hanging.
She slapped her brother upside the head, made a low curtsy, and rushed away as he grabbed for her.
“Respect, woman. Respect!” He slapped at her.
We both dissolved into laughter. “Then don’t order me around, Nico. I’m not one of your soldiers or your men. I’m your sister. Not a wh—”
Dom snarled, his face lost the light of play in an instant. “Say it and suffer, Talia Maria.” His voice was low, his brows knitted tight.
Ooo, sister was playing with fire. I slapped a hand over my mouth as she tried to back pedal.
“Not a wholly made man…yet.” She made a finger gun and shot him with it.
Dom’s face cleared as he accepted her last minute change. He pantomimed getting shot in the heart. “And you never will be.” He blew her a kiss.
She blew him one before turning to me. Her eyes were wide as saucers.
“What the hell, Tali?” I whispered.
She shrugged, shook her head slightly. “No idea. It just started to come out of my mouth. I hate how bossy he gets. He’s nicer to the girls than he is to me, sometimes.”
“Door!” Dom yelled, before he stomped over and slid it shut himself.
Tali looked at me. “See?”
I laughed softly. “True. And he’d hate it if he cowed you into being a doormat. But, for craps sake, girl.” I shook my head.
“Yeah. Whoops.” She helped me to my feet. Once I was steady, she grabbed the waistband of the shorts and ripped them down my legs. Her face was right next to my lady bits.
She looked up at me, a smirk on her face. “Need some ladyscaping, sis.”
I laughed. “I’m not really