Stevie steps out from behind Tristan and tries to bring the focus back to her. “It’s fine.” She offers, waving them off as she takes a minute to catch her breath. “I’m fine. We were just talking.”
The twins’ reaction is immediate. “Talking, huh?” Cyrus asks, glaring at me, knowing full well that what she said is complete bullshit. “Is that what was happening?”
No.I think, clenching my jaw. I almost fucking killed her.
Instead of revealing my thoughts, I just give him a stiff nod and keep my mouth shut.
Tristan sneers at me as he narrows his eyes. “That doesn’t look like t… talking.” He says, pointing out the bright red marks around Stevie’s neck.
Stevie instinctively wraps her hand over the marks and casts her eyes down. “It’s nothing.” She mumbles, shaking her head with a half-hearted smile. “It was an accident.”
I glare at her. Why the hell is she trying to sweep this under the rug?I know it was an accident, but she doesn't. And while we’re at it, what the fuck is she even doing here?
I look between Tristan and Cyrus and can see the cogs turning in their heads. My brothers are more of the shoot first, ask questions later type, and I can tell that both of them are raring for a reason to lay my ass out. They should. I’d do the same if any of them hurt her. The only reason they haven’t is because she’s covering for me. The question is,why?
I’m missing something. My brothers don’t seem surprised to see her here, and Stevie’s behavior isn’t adding up.What aren’t they telling me?
“What are you doing here?” I ask, leveling my eyes at her.
Tristan snaps his head towards me. “She hasn’t t… told you?”
“Told me what?” I retort, shifting my gaze between her and my brothers.
“She’s staying with us until further notice.” Atlas calls out, stepping out of his bedroom to join us in the hallway. “Whatever just happened.” He says, giving each of us a hard look. “Is over now. Understand?”
We all give him a nod.
“Good. Now it’s been a long night and I’d really like to get some sleep sometime before dawn. Ez, I know you’re probably confused right now, but I’ll fill you in on everything in the morning.”
And on that note, the five of us slowly part ways. Atlas walks back into his room and the twins follow Stevie back to hers, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the hallway.
I still don’t know what led her here, but at this point, I honestly don’t care. All that matters is that she’s back and this time around, there’s no way in hell I’m letting her go without a fight.