Page 25 of Protect Me
Luckily, the two of us are on the same side. In fact, she’s the closest thing to a friend I’ve ever had beyond my brothers and D. The performers here, especially the ones who’ve been here a while, are more a family than a troupe. Sometimes, it’s still a strange feeling to be part of something like this. But today, it only makes me think of what Sway said earlier about being alone.
While we walk, Fiona leaves me to my thoughts; another reason she and I get along.
We descend the stairs together until I reach the floor of my destination. Then, I wave her off as she continues down to the Big Top, and I make my way down the hall toward the gym. Killian and Bracken are both inside and shirtless, their torsos slick with sweat as they box in a makeshift ring.
I step inside, and both men stop and turn to me. “Damn, Dunc, what the fuck happened to your face?” Killian questions.
Reaching up, I gently touch my jaw. “Sway punched me.”
My fingers brush over a tender spot at the top of my cheekbone, and I wince. There’s undoubtedly a bruise forming. No wonder Fiona looked at me strangely.
Killian and Bracken exchange a look. Then Killian throws his head back and barks out a laugh. “So, Bracken and I get kisses, and you get clocked. That sounds about right.”
“Asshole,” I murmur as I set the empty mug down on a table. “She was having a nightmare when I got there. I walked over, and she punched me in the fucking face.”
All humor vanishes from their faces. “Shit. Is she okay?” Bracken demands.
“I get punched in the face, and you’re worried about her having bad dreams?”
“Fuck yeah.” Killian stalks forward. “Is she?”
“She’s fine,” I tell them. “And I got a little more out of her.” When both of them cross their arms, I continue, “She was held captive—and before you ask, I don’t know for how long.”
“Son of a bitch,” Bracken says, expression dark.
Killian cracks his knuckles. “Makes me want to go hunting.”
“According to her, this fucker after her is hard to kill.”
Killian doesn’t miss a beat. “Then I guess it’s a good thing that we’re all tough motherfuckers who like a challenge.”
Chapter7
Sway
When I wake again, I find a fresh mug on my bedside table, still steaming. Adaya stands at the counter, bent over her bag of herbs and amber tincture jars. I shift, pulling myself up to sitting, and find the movement much easier than I anticipated. Adaya turns and smiles when she sees me.
“You’re awake.”
“And feeling much less run over,” I say, pleasantly surprised by how easily my limbs respond to movement. Even with the bathroom tumble setting me back, the pain is noticeably less than before.
“No thanks to your stubbornness, I hear.” She glowers at me, but it lacks any real heat.
I smile wryly. “I tend to learn my lessons the hard way.”
Her mouth quirks. “Something tells me I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“More tea?” I ask, nodding at the mug.
“Different blend,” she says, and I take the mug, sniffing.
“Is it going to knock me out again?” I ask. The idea of sleeping anymore makes my stomach churn. I’m running out of time to prove myself to the Ringmaster and ensure my survival...for now.
“Exactly the opposite, in fact.”
Relief hums through me.
“The herbs did their job,” she says. “They offered your body a rest and recovery period that accelerated your healing process. This blend is to help wake you up again.”