Chapter Twenty
A Mad Plan
He begins washing me while still cradling me. Surprisingly, I’m not uncomfortable being with him like this. He’s been my best friend since high school, and now I think we might end up being more. If we ever get out of here. Honestly, the thought of any of them at this point not getting out with me brings on a panic just to think about. Even the assholes I don’t particularly like most of the time. I push off that line of thinking and gather my energy to move from his lap. I can wash myself even if it is nice that he’s helping. I need to know that I am able to hold myself together and not rely on anyone if I have to. Braeden has a bit of a hurt expression on his face, but I smile at him gently and reach out to rub his shoulder. The hurt changes to confusion, but at least he's not upset. I don’t want to explain it.
I dip my head in the water and quickly wash and condition my hair. At least I don't need to shave again, that would be awkward with company in the bath. Shaved stubble floating around in the tub water and getting stuck to bodies is not attractive or probably particularly sanitary. I go to get out as the others file in and start heading for either the tub or the shower. Braeden gets out and drains it, so it can be filled with clean water. I leave the bathroom to get dressed, deciding to come back for a hairbrush and deodorant later.
After everyone is clean and dressed, we lounge around the living room while Apollo and Marcus go for more ‘take-out’. I swear the kitchen here must have one of those chain buffets in it like the Golden Corral or something. Settling on the couch with Emmett and Rex on either side, and Braeden on the floor in front of me, I relax as Brade rubs my feet and lower legs. I let out a soft moan when he hits a sensitive spot and open my eyes to Rex and Emmett staring.
“Really, guys? It felt good. I’m not having sex with either of you outside what I have to. Not to mention I’m not sure how you could even be interested right now. Even if my shit didn’t feel like it was a tenderized steak, I still don’t think I’d be in the mood. I’m pretty freaking worn out.” I kind of feel bad after I see the effect my words have on them. “Well, crap. Sorry, guys, I’m a little strung out, I think.”
Surprisingly, it’s Emmett that reaches out to put his hand on my arm. “It’s alright, Lark. We don’t blame you, I think we’re all a little strung out. Come on and snuggle in, we aren’t about to jump your bones.” With that, he tucks me in under his arm like he's been doing when he's being friendly, and I’m surprised to realize I'm quite comfortable. Rex also cuddles in by laying his head in my lap. I sigh and let myself enjoy it instead of kicking him.
“Emmett?” I’m nervous about bringing this up, so I don’t even attempt to look at him, “I'm not going to break without you all holding me together. I don't want you to think it's your responsibility to take care of me or that you have to be affectionate just because we're being forced to have sex.” I get quieter as he stiffens next to me, and I brave a glance up. Rex and Braeden are also doing impeccable impersonations of statues. I think they all know something I don’t. Emmett takes a deep breath and then speaks.
“It’s not that I don't or even didn’t want to in the past, hellcat. I just felt it would be over stepping boundaries. And frankly, it wouldn't matter if we weren't having sex, I'd still comfort you.” I’m confused, but I don’t push it.
That is until Brent opens his big fat mouth. I hadn’t realized he was eavesdropping in the kitchen area.
“He’s got the hots for you, smart one. I swear, you’re seriously oblivious, or just in denial about the men around you. It’s not appropriate to cop a feel, even innocently, from your buddy’s girl.” I’m gonna smack him. Maybe I’ll chuck one of those giant dildos at him again. He’s embarrassed Emmett, and that isn't very nice. Maybe I am in denial, but he could have been more tactful.
“Could you be any more of an ass? I swear you like being a prick. It’s fine, Emmett. In the effort for full disclosure, I thought you were hot too. Doesn’t mean I would have acted on it,” I add when I get the stiffy effect going on around me again. “I’m not blind, you guys. Rex, I wouldn’t have cheated on you or anything like that either. Now I’m not saying I wouldn’t have gone for a threesome or two—” I trail off again at the shocked faces. “What?! You can’t really be surprised by that. You have seen what he looks like, right?” I’m talking to Rex directly at the end since he's looking a little grumpy.
“I’m not mad. I’m just thinking that I should have asked a long time ago, and I’m kicking myself for not doing it.” I laugh at that one. I can definitely see him being cranky about missing out.
“Alright, so now that that’s out of the way I’m napping until the other two come back with food.” I shut my awkward mouth and put my head on Emmett’s chest, soon lulled to sleep by his steady, if a tad rapid, heartbeat.
I awake to low male voices again. This is becoming a theme. Without opening my eyes to check, I'm pretty sure it’s Apollo. I’m getting fairly familiar with their voices.
“The exhibition has been moved up. It’s tomorrow night. I’ve left a message for my contact. I just hope he understands it when he receives it. I don’t want to worry any of you, but if this goes south, you’ll be sold tomorrow and separated and shipped out the following morning. I can’t stall that. That’s also if you aren’t claimed by buyers tomorrow night afterwards. The only rule that has to be abided by is all acts must be complete before bidding begins. Even those with prior buyers have to wait for the first options to be given. There’s always a chance that a buyer changes his or her mind, and then the merchandise goes up for auction.” Fully coming awake, the panic sets in; shallow breaths and a rapid heart rate cue Emmett in that I heard the conversation. He takes up rubbing small soothing circles on my back in reassurance.
“Don’t worry, hellcat," he whispers, "we’ll make it out. We have trackers to implant for all of us tonight. In case we get separated we’ll be able to find everyone. No matter what, stay safe and cooperate. We'll come for you." Worry sits heavily in his tone.
Tipping my head back to peek up at him, I find him gazing down at me with a furrow between his eyes. "No checking out on us, alright? You're a fighter, don't give up now." He speaks too quietly for the others to notice. This is only between us.
"I'll try," Is all I can offer him. Making an effort to stay calm, I manage to drift back off. Relatively safe for now.
What I think is a short time later, I wake up. No windows really messes with gauging the time in here. I'm in bed between Emmett and Braeden, and the others are nowhere to be seen. Remembering that the day is moved up, I nudge Emmett. I have an idea, and I'll need him for it.
He bolts up, startled. "Chill, everything's fine." He relaxes, flopping back onto the bed. "Sshhh, geez you're gonna wake Braeden up," I whisper.
"Too late, Braeden is already awake," the man in question interjects.
"Fine, whatever. I have an idea I think Emmett can help me with. Remember the whips?"
Braeden chuckles while Emmett answers, "How could we forget the whips?"
Rolling my eyes at them, I explain, "I want Emmett to be my cigarette girl. I'll train him as much as possible now, and that'll give us weapons and a reason to have them. It'll be a novelty that, hopefully, no one will question. It can be our last act." I'm optimistic that if things go sideways, I'll be able to defend myself.
Half-baked plan in place, we get up and dressed to go find the others.
Rex is asleep on the couch when we exit the bedroom, but the door to the training room is propped open. At least one of the others is in there. Upon entering the room, my steps freeze; Brent is hovering over Marcus' back which is covered in welts, rent flesh, and in several places, blood. My swift intake of air is enough to alert them that they'd been intruded on. Marcus tries to quickly move off the exam chair he's resting against, but the abrupt move causes him to grunt in pain and one of the plastic strips Brent was using to pop loose, letting the cut bead up and run over with bright red blood. Marcus tries to kick me out, probably not realizing I'm not his only company.
"Lark, out!" What happened to Four?
I snort. "Right, and since when have I listened to your grumpy ass? And what the hell happened to your back?" Before he can answer, I realize we're missing a person. "Where's Apollo?"
Silence ensues for a moment, and I think he's not going to answer. I can feel the heat of the guys from behind me, causing a small shiver to work its way across my skin. Whether it’s from muscle memory of being in this room or the lower temp isn't clear. Probably a combination of both.