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Still, I pinned on the brightest, most fabricated smile. “Totally fine. It’s just a little swollen.”

“You should put some ice on it,” she said from where she hovered at the door, one hand on the handle and watching me with concern.

“Yeah, I will,” I promised.

Satisfied, she dipped her chin and pushed out the door.

I watched her go all while I relished the feel of Trevan’s aura crawling over me from the side.

His heat coming on a sonic boom from the end of the hall.

“Take it you invited her to the compound,” he gruffed.

“She needs us.” My spirit claimed it.

Trevan crossed the space, and I couldn’t do anything but tilt my head toward him.

My sun.

My gravity.

Roughened fingertips came out to stroke my jaw. “Only you would take the time to recognize what people need in the middle of your own crisis.”

It was tender. Laden with affection.

“I’d be blind if I only saw my own.”

“This sweet fucking heart.” He let his fingers trail down my throat to flutter over that spot that was hemorrhaging.

Bleeding for him.

My palm found his through the gap in his cut. The ravaging, ferocious thunder.

“I like yours, too.”

Awareness spun between us, then he pried himself away, cleared his throat, and rumbled, “We need to get to the compound.”

We’d already been scheduled to have a family gathering this afternoon. This had solidified it. I gathered my things, slung my bag over my shoulder, and headed to the door where Trevan waited.

A violent statue that stood in front of it like someone was suddenly going to break through Brody and Pyke who were right on the other side of the porch.

When he was satisfied it was safe, he opened the door, tucked me close to him, and guided me out. A shield as he locked it and set the alarm.

“About freaking time,” Brody hollered, lifting his arms to the sides. He wore his cut and the most cocky, arrogant grin. “I have a twelve-pack and three bunnies with my name written all over them.”

I didn’t hate it that Brody was acting like nothing was awry.

“Eww.” Happy to play along, I curled my nose.

“What, you’re just jealous you aren’t getting any.”

I swore that Brody’s attention traveled to Trevan lurking behind me.

Trevan wound out in front of me and sent Brody a hard look. “Are you assigned to standing guard or giving your sister shit?”

Brody scratched his index finger at his temple. “Hmmm…pretty sure giving my sister shit.”

Trevan huffed and wound an arm around my waist.