As he came back through the door, I saw exhaustion and frustration on his face. He ran a hand over his face and then went to the sink, shrugging off his jacket and bloody shirt, putting them in a pile before washing his face until it was free from blood. I watched him with wide eyes before the man came over and sat on the tile floor, resting the side of his head against the edge of the tub. The water was slowly heating my body, and I could feel my numbness fading just a bit, making way for anxiety.
Although right now I was more worried about Yates.
“What’s going to happen?” I asked.
“The police are going to come by sometime tonight, probably. Ian’s family has enough pull to cause a few issues, but he will be back on his plane home tonight,” he murmured in a tired voice.
“What were King and the others talking about in the car?”
Yates made a small noise and sighed. “Don’t worry about that, bunny, just trust me. You will never see Ian again. Fucking ever.”
I relaxed at that, and my fingers tentatively began to play with his hair as he let out a soft, almost sad noise. I found my voice weak as I finally spoke.
“Thank you, Yates.”
His jaw clenched as he shook his head. “You never need to thank me for what happened tonight, Dahlia.”
My lips pressed together as I continued to brush through his hair gently, tears welling in my eyes. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
His eyes snapped open, and he looked at me with an intense gaze. “I don’t fucking care about how much trouble I am in for tonight. I would do it again and again, bunny.”
“I tried to fight back,” I choked out as pain flashed across his face.
“I know,” he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.
I have no idea how long we sat there like that, but at some point, he took a call and I slipped out of the tub, wrapping myself in a robe that covered me completely in security. I crawled into bed, and I’d been only slightly surprised when Yates had laid out next to me, his eyes on the ceiling but his arm wrapping around me so that I was plastered against him. I fell asleep like that, realizing that he may have needed the comfort more than I did.
I should have realized I would have nightmares.
I couldn’t tell you what they were about, but when I woke up next, it was dark and I was covered in a cold sweat, alone in my room. I could see red and blue lights flashing outside, and I shakily got out of bed, going to change into a soft shift dress before making my way downstairs. I stopped halfway down to sit and watch the police talk to several figures outside. I knew the dads were out there, along with most of my boys.
“Dahlia?” My mom’s voice came from behind me as I looked up to find her carrying two cups of tea. I went to stand but she waved me off, sitting next to me as I took a cup from her and leaned my head against her shoulder.
“Is Yates going to be in trouble?” I whispered.
My mom laughed softly. “No. Mr. Carter would never let that happen. The only ones that need to be worried are that piece of shit McCaffrey family.”
A small surprised laugh bubbled from my mouth. “Mom!”
She shrugged as I looked at her expression, tinged with a bit of amusement, but mostly filled with anger. “Your father and his friends have always been fiercely protective of their families, Dahlia, ever since you were little. I suspect it’s a trait they passed onto their sons.”
Yes… that was accurate, I’d say.
“Dad looked pissed,” I pointed out, remembering his expression.
My mom made an amused ‘hmph.’ “Understatement. Your father is an amazing man, but everyone has their faults, and his temper when it comes to someone hurting his family is… intense. Not a bad thing, but it did surprise me at first when we started dating.”
I nodded in understanding. “Yates and King both have a temper. I get that.”
She squeezed my hand. “Those boys are very protective over you. Just remember to not judge them too harshly on what they do to keep you safe in their mind. You’re their entire world, honey.”
I blinked, absorbing her words as I frowned. I examined her expression, but she just squeezed my shoulder and stood up. “I’m going to go make sure your father doesn’t land his ass in jail for the night.”
I almost smiled at that.
The way my mom talked felt odd. Not bad, but odd. I tilted my head, wondering if she realized how she talked about us, the boys and I. I didn’t know if I was reading too much into it, but sometimes it almost felt like she treated them as more than just my friends.
You wish.