I doubted knowing any secret of his would encourage me to reveal mine, but I dutifully looked down anyway. He had nice hands. Strong hands. A light dusting of hair covered his corded forearm. How could looking at someone’s arm make my stomach go crazy? I struggled to focus. At first, I thought I needed to find a tiny hidden tattoo or something. As my eyes searched, I noticed his arm hair change. It grew longer and thicker. Startled, my gaze flew to his.
“You can make your hair grow?” My gaze flitted to the hair on his head. It didn’t look any longer than it had a moment ago.
“Sort of,” he said lowering his arm. “There’s more.” He pulled back his lips in a parody of a huge smile.
I stared at Emmitt’s elongated teeth in horror. Panic bloomed. Clutching the glass in my hand, a growling scream erupted from my throat, and I drew back my arm to throw the glass at him. At the same time, I lifted a knee and clipped his groin. He dropped like a stone before I launched the glass.
Eyes wide, I looked down at his prone form. He had closed his eyes, and his gritted teeth still exposed his canines. I couldn’t look away from them. Panting, I tried to make myself move. Run. Run! RUN. The word echoed in the cavern of my mind until I broke free of my paralysis. I dropped the glass and sprinted for the door, clearing it as the glass shattered and Emmitt grunted.
How many of these things existed? Protect the boys. Was this all just a game? Protect the boys.
I sprinted down the stairs, taking three at a time in my panic and almost fell. Jim met me a few steps from the bottom. He held both hands out in front of him, palms toward me.
“Michelle, it’s okay. We can explain.”
No, not him. Of course him. They were brothers.
“God,” I whispered, skirting around him. My eyes darted to Nana’s door, which stood slightly ajar.
He let me pass, but his eyes flicked up the stairs. I didn’t turn to look.
Reaching the bottom, I pushed the door the rest of the way open. Both the boys sat on the couch. They remained focused on the movie still playing, unaware of the danger. My sudden appearance didn’t disturb them. Nana however, stood waiting for me just inside the door. Her stance partially shielded them from my view.
“Michelle, let’s talk in the hallway,” she said calmly.
My heart hammered in my chest. They would not take the boys from me. I braced myself, ready to fight, but didn’t get a chance. Fingers curled around my biceps and pulled backward. Nana stepped forward and nudged the door shut, closing her in with my brothers as I bumped against a hard chest. I struggled until I heard Emmitt’s voice.
“Please,” he whispered, holding me firmly. “Let me explain.” His breath tickled my ear.
Eyes wide, I panted in fear and wondered what he’d do in retaliation for the kneeing. A tear leaked from the corner of my eye. I stared at Nana’s door and tried to think. There had to be a way to get them out safely.
“Shh,” he soothed, running a hand down one arm. “You’re still safe. I promise.”
I used his distraction and loose hold as an opportunity to elbow him in the ribs. It hurt my elbow.
He grunted again but didn’t let go. Instead, he leaned in closer, his nose touching the tender place just below my ear.
“Please,” he whispered. His lips brushed the lower part of my neck.
A tremor ran through me in response. I froze, holding my breath at my reaction. It didn’t fall in line with my let’s-not-be-friends-because-I’d-rather-unman-you attitude I’d had upstairs. I struggled to think past the mind-numbing panic.
His exhale tickled my skin as he pulled back slightly and trailed the tip of his nose around the shell of my ear. All thought stopped.
“I’ll take every knee, elbow, or fist you throw at me because it means you’re still here, and I still have a chance to explain.”
I couldn’t make myself move. I didn’t know how to fight like this. What was he, and why did I react to him? It was too unnatural. A sob escaped, and I shook in his arms.
“No,” he whispered fiercely as he turned me to face him.
I braced my hands against his chest, trying to put space between us. He didn’t seem to notice. He cradled my face and touched his forehead against mine.
“Please,” he whispered. “Give me a chance. Give me time. I’m different, but nothing to fear.” Desperation laced his words.
Nothing to fear? He was everything I feared. How soon before they called Blake? When would he show up to gloat over my stupidity?
“I want my brothers,” I said in a broken whisper.
“Of course. Nana only wanted to protect them. She didn’t want them to see you like this and worry.”
The disbelief I felt showed on my face, but his earnest expression didn’t change. I experimentally pulled away, and he reluctantly dropped his hands. Warily, I watched him as I put distance between us. He straightened and met my gaze steadily. Clotted blood adorned his forehead. Remembering his forehead pressed against mine, I reached up and wiped my face free of tears and potential blood. Emmitt was right; I didn’t want the boys to see me like this, but I wouldn’t leave them in there, either.
I darted a glance to the side and saw Jim sitting on the steps. For the first time ever, he neither teased nor smiled. His sad and concerned gaze tracked my moves.
Angling myself so I could see them both, I reached out to rap my knuckles on the door. It immediately swung open. Nana had a hand on each boy’s shoulder. Gently, she pushed them toward me. Aden and Liam stepped out and curiously looked at the adults around them. I extended my hands and only felt moderate relief when their fingers curled around mine.
Now what? Emmitt watched me. I could still feel his lips on my neck and shivered. I doubted he would let me walk out the front door, but I debated trying. If I would get just one chance, I needed to plan. I was good at waiting...as long as Liam and Aden were safe.
I nudged Aden toward the steps, steering him to the side to give Jim wide berth. Liam trailed behind. I didn’t take a decent breath until we reached Emmitt’s apartment.
The boys remained unusually quiet as I cleaned up the glass, fed them dinner, then got them ready for bed. I considered trying to sneak out with them that night, but Jim still had the truck keys. We wouldn’t get far without a vehicle. So, instead of running, we crawled into bed together, and I took comfort in their little bodies pressed against me. Aden tangled his hands in my hair, again.
I waited until they both slept soundly before I let my tears of frustration fall.
Chapter 7
When I woke, my head ached from too much crying the night before. I hadn’t planned to fall asleep.
Both boys still snuggled beside me, oblivious. Weak light peeked around the window shade. Rain tapped on the roof in a steady rhythm.
Sneaking from bed, I checked the clock in the kitchen. Not that time really mattered. I listlessly sat on one of the stools and dropped my head into my hands. At least in this prison, they allowed us to go outside, I thought.
A soft knock startled me, and I spun around on the stool. I stared at the door, wondering if they’d already called Blake. The bubble of safety I once felt no longer existed.
The knock sounded again, making me flinch and forcing me off the stool. I drifted to the door. Fear weighted my stomach as I set my hand on the knob. I wanted to cry again. Instead, I pulled the door open.
Emmitt stood in the hall. Freshly showered, he still didn’t look like he’d slept or shaved. He took in my puffy, red eyes with a quick glance and stepped into the apartment without invitation.