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Mostly naked.

And fuck.

My head was spinning again.

How the fuck had I allowed us to end up here?

Sliding one hand to Elena’s shoulder since I couldn’t find it in myself to stop touching her, I dug my phone from my pocket with the other.

Every cell in my body winced when I saw who it was.

Nearly suffocating on the guilt, I accepted the call and put the phone to my ear.

“Silas.” It grated out like I was kneeling for confession.

“How’s it going, brother?” His voice was clipped and concerned. “Wanted to touch base and make sure nothing has been amiss.”

Ah, plenty had been amiss. Haywire and indecently flawed.

“Elena and I are just finishing cleaning up,” I forced out, my hand fucking shaking on her bare skin. “Haven’t heard a word from the guys outside, so I think we’re good.”

I didn’t think there was a time in my life when I’d felt more like a maggot, and God knew the deplorable acts I’d committed.

“Okay. I just…” He trailed off. Worry distinct.

“Not going to let anyone get to her.” The promise curled out on the tumult that ridged the air in my toxicity.

I could almost see him nodding his head.

His trust restored by the inflexibility of my voice.

“Don’t like that we can’t pin this asshole. Something feels off.” His implication was muttered grit.

“Yeah. I know. There’s something not adding up. But we’ll sniff him out. We always do.”

This fucker couldn’t stay undetected forever.

Elena’s attention jumped all over my face, her ear inclined as she listened to the conversation.

“Hate my sister in the middle of it. The last time…”

Silas’s words got so thick that he couldn’t keep speaking.

Protectiveness blistered through my insides, and I stared down at Elena as she gazed up at me. “There won’t be another time.”

“Take care of her, brother.”

Shame lashed against the possession. “I will.”

I ended the call and pushed to standing, pulled up my briefs and jeans, and tucked myself back into them.

A bastard who couldn’t do anything else but stretch out a hand to help Elena to her feet.

Did my best to keep my eyes averted.

Impossible when I had the epitome of beauty standing in front of me.

Grace and the sweetest belief.