Braeden
I come out of the bedroom to find Rex and Emmett talking. “Have they come out of there yet?” Rex answers me.
“Not unless there’s another exit in there. Why?”
“I need to speak with them.” I turn to head back to that room. I'm pissed and going to let those two jackasses know they can't treat my girl like they have.
“We’re the contacts here. What do you need to speak to them about?” Emmett this time. Acting like the usual stuck up prick he is. It really does ruin his attractiveness.
“That’s not your business.” I move to leave, but both men close ranks to block me. Are they fucking kidding right now? “You two are fucked up, you know that right? I didn’t sign up for this shit.” More quietly I add, “Neither did Lark, and she’s hurt, I need to go talk to them.”
“What?!”
“How?” I shush them. Lark will have my balls if she knows I tattled.
“Be quiet, she didn’t want anyone to know. I finally made her let me look. It’s not terrible, but she needs time to rest and let it heal. They were too rough with her.” They both look concerned, then Rex addresses me.
“Rough with her? How bad is it? You tore my shit up, but I’m alright.” I blow out a breath, trying to keep my patience with the neanderthal, so I can attempt to explain in words he'll understand.
“That was my dick, and I was more careful than you realize. For Lark's sake, not yours," I'm quick to assure him. "I just need to go let them know she needs to be left out of whatever is going on later.” With that, I push through them, and they don’t stop me this time. Instead, they follow. I reach the door as Marcus and Apollo are coming out.
“Gentlemen, may we help you?” Apollo addresses us, back to the professional businessman now.
“Lark needs to be left out tonight. She’s bleeding some, not bad, but it needs a chance to heal,” Emmett speaks up. I'm going to kick his ass. Always has to try to outdo everyone else. I have no clue why Rex puts up with him and claims him as his closest friend.
“I noticed some blood on the equipment. It wasn’t much, but I was sending Dr. Martins to check on her anyway before you have to get ready. We’ll see you later.” Seemingly unconcerned, they both leave.
Shaking my head at their attitude, I go back into the bedroom to get some rest and find Lark crying. Climbing into her narrow bed behind her, I offer what comfort I can.
***
Lark
Feeling the bed dip and arms wrapping around me, I turn and bury my face in Braeden’s chest, crying for quite a while longer. “I don’t know why I did that! What is wrong with me?” I’m so confused and ashamed.
“We all did, Lark. You’re not the only one. We’re in a fucked up situation, and we need to do what we have to, to get out. If the situation was different, and we didn’t know help was coming soon, we would be fighting every minute. Cooperation is our chance at surviving this. Fighting may get one, or all, of us killed.” Even if he's right, it doesn't help my feelings of shame and disgust.
“But I told him he could go down on me when he asked! Why would I answer him? Tell him yes? That’s not me.” My venting does nothing to calm me and being so upset I start crying again.
“I’m not sure, but that room and the situation makes for a lot of trauma. Even if it doesn't seem like it in the moment. Do what they want, and we’ll get out of here. Please don’t cry any more, love bird.” He holds me tighter, and I eventually fall asleep.
***
Rex
Hearing Lark crying is killing me, and I wish I could go hold her. Despite wanting to, I know I won’t be welcome.
Going into the common area to speak with Emmett, I sit on one of the chairs and wince. Even with the meds and cream, my ass still feels like it took a beating. Who knew Braeden had such a big cock? Lark never said anything. I’ll admit to being jealous of him before, but now I wonder, after seeing them interact in this scenario, if they ever thought about being together. The way he cares for her I could see it being a possibility. Trying to push those thoughts from my head, I concentrate on Emmett.
“Any ideas on how soon you think we can get out of here?” I ask him while doing stretches on the floor, trying to limber my muscles up. Doesn't hurt to stay ready for trouble.
“Nothing we haven’t already discussed. Talking to Apollo about it more risks being overheard, just need to wait it out, I suppose. Although I didn’t think we would be moving this quickly— something is off. We were picked up nearly a week early, and when it was originally discussed, there wasn't any physical stuff for almost two weeks until all the test results were in. Something has sped it up. I think we need to scrap this whole operation and get out of here while we still can. If we can’t get an extraction for everyone approved, and soon, we need to see about breaking out ourselves.” Emmett's concern and suspicions are enough to validate the bad feeling that's been burning in me since we woke up with Lark.
Having nothing productive to add, I just agree with him. Then a thought occurs, something that's been bugging me. “Hey, um, I was wondering. Did you feel off in there? Before, I mean? I feel like I was entirely too okay with what went down even if it’s something we'd agreed to.”
“I felt the same way, like coming down off a high. Maybe it’s sensory deprivation or something with all the white, the lighting, and the plastic in there.” While troubling, that's not enough to hold my attention when Emmett berates me. "You know, you should be in there with Lark, right?"
"I'm aware." I bite out. "Just as we're both also aware she'd probably kick me in the balls if I tried. Today was hard, watching her hate me, and sure as shit, it'll only get worse."