Page 30 of Give Me Peace

I can feel them closing in, those grotesque hands of monsters, reaching out to grab me. Instinctively, I know if that happens, I’ll be lost forever. They’ll take me away, to a place far worse than Liam Price’s storm cellar, and they’ll destroy me in a way he never did. So, I kick and thrash. I scream some more because I refuse to go quietly.

I can’t be here again. I’d rather die than go back to this life.

“Saylor!”

My eyes fly open, panic gripping me as I struggle to get away from the weight holding me down.

“Let go!” I sob, my throat raw and face soaked with tears. I dig my nails against their skin, but it’s no use.

“It’s Lochlan, sweetheart. You’re safe. You’re okay,” he swears, his cheek pressed to mine. I still, the fog in my head slowly clearing as I notice the wall of my bedroom. Robotically, I turn my head and find honey colored-eyes filled with sadness. I know those eyes. My gaze moves around the rest of the space. Roan’s standing at the end of my bed, his hands gripping the footboard with enough force the wood creaks. Havok and Kash are both pale, looking seconds from throwing up or passing out. And Krew is watching from the hallway, his face as unreadable as ever.

“Oh, God.” I pull myself away from Lochlan, wincing at the sight of his arm. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” I try to scramble off the bed, wanting to get a washcloth to clean him up, but he stops me by wrapping his fingers around my bicep.

“It’s okay, Saylor. I promise.” He looks stressed, his eyes roving over my body like he’s looking for any sign of injury. “It’s over.” Those two words make me sob. Lochlan pulls me closer, one hand holding the back of head while the other strokes my back. I cry so hard his shirt is soaked in a matter of seconds. It’s over because of him. When I needed someone to find me, he did. Even in my dreams. They each came running—for me.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart. You can sleep.”

“Can you stay? I don’t want to be alone,” I mumble against his chest, my words hitching with every inhale.

“I’m not going anywhere. Get some rest, love.” Lochlan presses a kiss to the top of my head as he repositions us. With my ear to his chest, I let the steady beat of his heart lull me back to sleep.

I’m drenched in sweat when I wake. Kash’s sweatshirt clings to my skin, allowing zero airflow. I shift—with effort and way too much pain—and the heat at my back disappears. When I finally get myself untangled from the covers and upright, I look to my left and find Lochlan. He’s snoring softly, his mouth slightly open, and has one arm thrown over his eyes. The other is lying across his stomach, and as soon as my eyes land on the injuries I caused, a massive wave of guilt washes over me.

I swallow and look away. I try to scoot down the bed, but the mound of blankets at the end groans, making me freeze. It’s then I notice Roan sleeping on the floor in front on my bathroom and Havok doing the same by the door, his head propped against the side of my dresser. Warmth floods me, and not the hot, sweaty kind that woke me. This feels like safety and being cared for. The blanket at my feet is tossed back, revealing Kash. The second he sees me a huge grin lights up his face.

“Mornin’, Cupcake.” He stretches lazily, making the most ridiculous noises. Like a domino effect, the other three start moving around, grunting and groaning, like waking up is the hardest thing they’ve ever done. “Since you didn’t specify who you were asking to stay last night, and no one was willing to risk losing at a game of rock-paper-scissors, we decided it was an open invitation. So, we all stayed,” Kash says as he climbs to his feet.

“More like they refused to leave.” Lochlan scoffs as he slides his glasses on.

“You guys didn’t have to sleep on the floor.” I wince as Roan cracks his neck.

“Best Friend, this bed barely fit the three of us. Where else would they have slept?” Kash arches his eyebrow at me.

“Um…their own beds?” I answer. They all chuckle.

“Yeah. Not a chance, Say.” Havok winks at me, the action leaving me a little off kilter. I think it’s going to take me a minute to get used to this new version of him.

“Seriously, though,” Kash starts talking as he walks toward the door. “If puppy-piles are going to become a part of our norm, we need to invest in a bigger bed. Like one of those monstrosities that sleep a dozen.”

“Kash, the last fucking thing I want to do is share a bed with you. You’re a cuddler, for Christ’s sake.” Roan shivers. I press my fingers to my lips, holding back a laugh.

“I’d snuggle Saylor, you giant beanstalk.” Kash gives him a ‘duh’ look. “Remember that, Best Friend. Ro-Ro here isn’t a fan of cuddling.” Kash gives me a wide-eyed look of innocence.

“I’m not a fan of you pressing your junk against my ass, you little fucker. If Saylor needed a cuddle, I’d give her damn cuddle,” Roan declares, glaring at Kash accusingly.

“It was one time. Get over it already!” Kash rolls his eyes.

It’s like watching a ping-pong match, but with words. I’m sure there’s a goofy grin on my face, but this is way more entertaining than it should be. These grown men are arguing over cuddles. The laugh I’d been holding back for a while now finally breaks free, making them all stop and look at me.

“I’m sorry,” I say, pressing my lips together to try and gain some control.

“No, you’re not,” Havok snorts.

“Okay, children. Let’s get breakfast started and give Saylor some privacy.” Lochlan stands and ushers the guys out. I smile appreciatively because I really need to pee. Slipping off the bed, I stop Havok just before he leaves.

“What’s up, pretty girl?”

“Do you have a sweatshirt I could wear today?” Please don’t ask why.