Page 49 of Reins

He leans close, his knee pressing my thigh and his hot breath pours across my collarbone.

He already had some of the mess wiped from my chin and cheek, so he gently follows the smear up to my temple.

“Good news.” A small lift of the unscarred corner of his lip betrays a smile. “You won’t be near as ugly as me when you’re all healed.”

That makes me snort. “You’re not ugly, you’re cute,” I admit too quickly, heat rising into my skin.

His grin widens. “You’ve been locked up, that sets a pretty low bar.” With a satisfied look, he slowly turns my head to look at the Band-Aid he put on it and purses his lips. “I think I got it all. And this scuff on your noggin doesn’t look like it needs stitches. But I’m a bit worried that you might have a brain injury if you see me as cute.”

There’s a golden fleck of a twinkle in his irises that darkens as his gaze drops to my arm. “Next up.”

I try to roll up my sleeve, but it gets too tight when I try to go over the tender part.

“Ros, I need you to take it off. Then I can look at your side, too.” His brows knit over his frown.

Panic races through me. I’ve never taken my clothes off for anyone except Ava when she was helping me. I don’t even wear shorts in the summer.

The idea of him seeing me is terrifying.

“I’m fine. I can do it,” I stammer, trying to push to my feet.

“Then we’re going to the hospital,” he growls, moving out of my way to stomp towards the door. “Take it from someone who’s been through hell and back, sometimes the worst wounds don’t hurt. I understand not wanting me to see you, but someone needs to.” He pulls my coat from the rack and extends his arm. “I ain’t arguing. But I’m not gonna sit here and watch you suffer.” His jaw tightens and those amber eyes that were so soft a moment ago harden into mahogany slits.

That’s when I notice the flutter of the sleeve of my jacket. His hand is shaking.

Why?

Then his voice drops into a measured tone. “I want you to know I take no pleasure in assessing what your fucking brother did to you, if that’s the part you’re worried about.” He swallows, making his Adam’s apple bob. “I just—”His arm lowers along with his gaze. “—I couldn’t protect you, but I’ll be damned if I just stand back while you’re in pain.”

Oh. Oh. Shit.

He blames himself?

I really am a screw up.

“Okay,” I whimper. Today can’t get any worse.

Except I know after this, whatever comfort I found in his touch I know will disappear…Once he sees me.

“I just. Um.” Tears run unfettered down my nose and sting saltily against my fractured mouth. With another sob, I reach for the first button on my blouse. “Please don’t hate me,” I whisper as I reach for the next.

Chapter 26 - Cade

“I won’t,” I assure her. I don’t understand why I would hate her for what happened?

Her fingers work their way down, revealing the front of her bra in the growing gap.

Fuck. This isn’t exactly ideal in any way shape or form.

I hang up her coat, then sit back down next to her feeling more like a voyeur watching her cry than someone who’s there to help.

Her entire body is trembling when she reaches her belly and the fabric peels away.

I can’t stop my sharp inhale when I see her pale, bruised skin.

But it isn’t the growing shade of purple that draws my horror, it’s the criss-cross of old white scars that cover her flesh in layers.

“Jesus Christ,” I exhale. My stomach rolls with every inch that she lays bare.