Page 49 of Traded

“Get her out,” I beg raggedly. “That’s enough.”

But it’s not. His hand pushes against my mouth when Jonas reaches for Carter’s door and my cries stretch into a scream. His murmurs of attempted comfort don’t touch the panic clawing at my chest. “Almost done.”

But Lauren shakes her head. Her eyes are pinned on the floor, her words close to silent. “Not this one.”

I still, my breathing heavy behind Liam’s hand.

“You sure?” he asks behind me. He sounds so gentle. So removed from the way he’s holding me that it knocks me off-balance all over again. “It’s your choice.”

“I’m sure.” She looks at me, then. A quick, horrified glance. “I don’t need it. I think—this was enough. I’m done.”

As if by agreement, all three of us look to Liam. I push back against his grip on my mouth, trying to pull away.

I can’t speak.

He turns his head to look down the hall. To the door at the end, and what sits behind it.

My head bangs back against the wall as I fight to break free of his grip. He hisses, twisting to me. “Rosie. That’senough.”

Not my nest.

Not my space.

Not—

I sink my teeth into his hand.

Liam grunts, yanking his hand back and staring at it. “Jesus, Rosie. Really?”

Silence falls across the hall. My mouth opens, only to close again.

“Really,” Lauren blurts out. I feel a shift in the air as she moves closer, and I flinch back. “I don’t need anything else.”

“You need a bedroom.” Liam doesn’t take his eyes off me. “There’s a scent-neutral room next to Rosie’s nest.”

I flinch again, and his mouth flattens into a thin line.

“Well,” Jonas says after a moment. He approaches me slowly, his hand reaching out before curling into a fist and pulling back. “It’s done now. You good, Ro?”

Probably a wise idea to keep back. I might bite him too. I feel like I’m losing my mind.

Am I good?

“Let’s all take a minute,” Liam steps away from me, and I’m… glad. I wrap my arms around myself and grip the sides of my dress tightly. “This was rough.”

I look away before he can pin any more disapproval on me.

“Come into the kitchen.” Jonas and Lauren shift past Liam, but I don’t move. “We’ll have some dinner, calm down a little. Rosie?”

There are teeth marks in the hand he holds out to me.

Lauren glances back at me uncomfortably. Jonas’s hand lingers on her lower back. Liam hangs back enough to take my hand and squeeze it. “Tensions were high back there. It’s okay, Ro. Let’s get you some food, alright?”

His arm slips around my shoulders, guiding me forward. “It’s gonna be okay.”

I don’t have anything left to say.

And I’m not sure he’d listen if I did.