fuck us on the regular.”
I wrinkle my nose. “So, real classy ladies?”
He leans in so that his breath is hot in my ear. “If we gave it to you, you’d want it on the regular too, so stop judging, blondey.”
I’m about to protest when he pulls me off his lap and sets me next to him on the bed. His gaze lingers for a minute, and then he releases my arms.
I gasp in a breath as pain rolls through me, and I have the sudden urge to collapse back on the bed. My entire body trembles, and it’s hard to pull in a breath. But just as I’m about to ask him to stay, to take the pain away, to see me naked, to do whatever he wants, just to stop the pain, the feeling starts to fade. I suck in deep breaths as it becomes more manageable.
It still hurts, but it’s not mind-numbing pain.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod again, not ready to talk.
He climbs off the bed, fixes his pants, then looks at me again. “We’ll be right outside the door if you need us.” Then he hesitates. “Feel free to take a shower too.”
When he leaves, he closes the door. I debate about lying right back down and breathing through the pain, but I get the impression I’m going on a drive today, whether I want to or not. So, I’d rather be clothed when I do it. And clean.
Hissing, I stand and take a quick shower, then drag myself to the closet before sliding open the door. Inside, sure enough, are some clothes. As my fingers drift through the material, I realize that it’s only women’s clothes and that most of the items are as revealing as hell. My jaw drops open. Yeah, I’d been a lab dog. Yeah, I hadn’t had an ounce of privacy. But the thing is, I’m determined to feel like a human again. I’m not sure if I can feel like anything but a piece of meat in the clothes available.
But I don’t have another choice.
I manage to find a tube top that’s actually thick enough to cover my nipples, since apparently none of these women wear bras, and a pair of dark jeans. They’re torn, showing the bottom of my ass cheeks, but they’re sadly the best pair in the dresser, especially since I’m not about to wear any of the underwear in the drawer.
In the bathroom, I find some hair ties and pull back my long, blonde hair. My breath catches as I see my reflection staring back at me. I hadn’t seen myself since the cabal took me.
I look pale, weak, and thin.
Only a shadow of the person I was.
But it’s not just the program that had done such a number of me. My ex had broken me in more ways than I could count, even before the scientists got their hands on me.
I put on a pair of socks and boots that go to my knees, then I release a slow breath and go to the door. Opening it, I spot all four men leaning against the hallway. All eyes are locked on me, and their mouths drop. I have no idea if that’s a good sign or a bad sign, but I hold my head high.
“Breakfast?” Phoenix asks after a painfully long moment of silence.
“We need to get going,” Dragon says, almost snapping at his brother.
“She can eat,” Phoenix shoots back, looking irritated.
I nod. I need to eat something and hopefully keep it down this time otherwise my body is going to start shutting down. “Maybe some crackers. I’m pretty sure I puked up every bite of my dinner last night. I’m not sure I can handle more than that.”
Phoenix nods and takes off.
Crash clears his throat. “I have some…things to take care of.”
Then Dragon turns to Striker. “You want her on your bike or mine?”
“Pretty damn sure you’re both going to come if she rides your bike,” Striker says, his mouth lifting into half a grin.
Dragon glares at him, but they both start down the hall.
“Where are we going?” I ask, staying rooted in place.
“A drive,” Dragon says, not looking back at me.
“To where?” I ask again, an attitude in my voice.
His shoulders stiffen and he turns slowly back around. “Start walking, or I’m going to start carrying you.”
“Dragon…” Striker begins.
“One,” he counts, his voice low and threatening. “Two…”
And I hate myself, because I start walking.
Even though my body aches, even though my memories are in