“Stop, Alyx.”
Her using my real name made me swallow my words.
“Stop, would you? It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault.”
I bit into my lip so hard I tasted the blood. “If he had just given me up—”
“It wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
“How can you say that? If he wasn’t such a selfish bastard—”
“Stop!” Neon coughed and winced from the pain.
Ink stepped up. “That’s enough. She needs to rest.” He grabbed my shoulders to get me to move, but I pushed back.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Yeah, you are. You’re upsetting her.”
I noticed the tattoos covering his entire neck. Red roses with thorns stretched along his throat, and two crosses ran down the edges of his face where the sides of his beard should have been. Clearly, this man had no problem with needles. His glare burned holes in my forehead.
“Please,” I begged.
“Leave.” His grip on my shoulders tightened, and then from out of nowhere, Granite came storming into the room, his heavy footsteps echoing around us.
“Let go of her.”
Ink didn’t look his way. “She needs to leave.”
“I said let go of her.” Granite grabbed Ink’s hands and ripped them away from my shoulders, forcing his way between me and Ink. “Touch her again, and I will end you.”
The dark atmosphere was palpable as Granite and Ink continued to glare at each other. Ink didn’t back down, not even an inch. And neither did Granite. It was like two gods standing tall, ready to obliterate each other. Menace oozed from Granite’s pores, while Ink made it obvious he wouldn’t stop protecting what was his. And, clearly, Neon was his.
“Ink, back down, would ya?” Neon murmured. “Wait at least until I’m able to watch you kill each other with both eyes.”
Ink’s shoulders remained squared. “Your girl is upsetting mine,” he said to Granite, and Neon snorted.
“What-fucking-ever, man. I’m not your girl.”
“Neon, we spoke about this.”
“Bullshit. You spoke about it. I’m not your girl.”
Ink cut his gaze from Granite down to her. “Stop fighting it, Neon. Just admit you’ve wanted me ever since you first laid eyes on me.”
“Fuck you. I wouldn’t want your dick even if it was the last one on Earth.”
“You’re not fooling anyone, Neon.” Ink turned to face her. “I’ve featured in every wet dream you’ve ever had.”
Neon attempted to laugh and closed her eye. “Sorry, dude. I’ve never had a wet dream about a walking STD.”
Onyx was first to laugh before everyone else erupted in laughter. Even me. It was truly her. Not even pain and torture could stop her sense of humor. But as I laughed, tears joined, and my laughter slowly turned into soft cries.
“Ink, move your ass back so Swan Lake can move up.”
Ink glanced from her, to me, to Granite—then back to her as he slowly stepped back. “There you go.” Neon smiled. “Now, sit in the corner like the good little watchdog you are.”
Ink shot her a cocky grin. “The only dog you’ll get from me is with you bent forward, sweet cheeks.”