Forbidden - Page 156

The locked doors.

All designed not just to drive us out…but away from her.

“Whatever happens after this, I want that motherfucker to pay.” I murmured as I turned and headed for the banks of medical beds. “And I want to be the one to do it.”

Two of the male nurses rose from their seats in the nursing station and headed our way. But Kane just shook his head and turned around. “Just point me toward your antiseptics and scrubs.”

One lifted his hand and pointed, kicking my brother into action. He moved fast, gathering what he needed as I shifted my attention back to her.

I didn’t want to lay her down, not yet. I wanted to hold her against me forever, anything so I didn’t have to look into those vacant eyes anymore and see what those monsters had done to her.

Monsters like me.

I winced, holding her carefully, my voice husky as I said. “You’re okay now. You hear me, Helene? You’re okay.”

She never responded, not even to moan as I eased her against the cold sheets. If it wasn’t for the steady rise and fall of her chest, I would’ve thought she was dead.

Maybe right now she wanted to be.

The words stuck in the back of my throat as I eased away. She stared with that soul-crushing vacant expression, not even flinching when I brushed the hair from her face. “Trouble.” I whispered. “Can you hear me?”

I’d take her fists more than this.

Her screams.

Her clawing nails.

Just not this fucking silence.

My hands curled into fists. I closed my eyes as that punishing agony ripped me apart on the inside.

“Okay.” Kane urged, coming closer. “Let me tend to her.”

I didn’t want to let her go. Not even for him. I opened my eyes and met his stare.

“I have to see to her injuries, brother.” He said quietly.

He knew. He knew what she meant to me. As I searched his agonized stare, I knew she meant the same to him. With a slow nod, I pulled away, glancing over my shoulder to Thomas and Walker.

They said nothing, just watched until Kane pulled his shirt away from her body. Then both of them turned around.

“I’ll see to Stevens.” Walker muttered, before he glanced over his shoulder at her. “Goddamn them to hell for this.”

He left then, hanging his head low as he disappeared. The splash of liquid followed the sound of tearing plastic. It seemed like only yesterday we were doing this exact thing when we implanted the tracking device under her breast.

I’d held her then, and kissed her to take her mind off the pain.

But I couldn’t kiss her now.

“Jesus.” Kane moaned and hissed.

My stomach was a stone. Still, I forced myself to turn around to her. I forced myself to look.

Every bite mark was wiped with iodine. Every torn skin was cleaned and taped. Kane worked quietly, his hands gentler than I’d ever seen before.

One nurse came closer. “Can I help, Doctor?”

“No.” His tone was bitter. “This one is ours.”