"He's in the shower back there." Marcus tips his head toward the nearly seamless door I'd wondered about before. An extra bathroom would have been nice to know about. "Washing the mess off, I'd imagine. As for my back— Apollo happened. Or rather, Robert. He forced Apollo's actions by questioning who was in control— me or him. You should be able to fill in the blanks from there." His matter-of-fact explanation reeks of suppressed anger and pain.
Brent stays silent while curses and jostling happen behind me; the guys are pissed. Braeden stalks toward the hidden bathroom, intent clear in his attitude.
"Braeden, no." I rush to get in front of him.
Apollo chooses that moment to come out, steam escaping from the door around him. Dressed in a pair of gray sweats and barefoot, he's rubbing a towel on his head when he notices his silent audience. A tightening in the corner of his mouth and a short nod are the only signs he gives that he knows what he did was wrong.
Braeden makes no move to follow him as he goes to go check on Marcus. It's a private moment I feel we're all intruding on when Apollo rests his forehead on top of Marcus' head.
To distract the others, I get us back on track to the purpose of our visit to the room. Going to the cupboard where I'd found the whips before, I reach in to select several. Freezing mid motion, I remember that Marcus was most likely up close and personal with one not too long ago. I shake off the hesitation since much worse than a beating can, and has, happened here.
I go over my thoughts again and catch the attention of the others. Even Rex has wandered in now, sleepy face still going on as he heads straight to Apollo and they take up a low conversation.
I do the best I can to instruct Emmett. By the time we're done, he can at least wield it. The last bit of time I use for target practice and a few runs of snapping straws from between his lips. It takes three tries before he didn't flinch backwards. I ignore Rex's muttered, "Damn, that's hot," but the others get on him for it. Apollo worries that it might be too attention garnering with Robert, but ultimately he admits it's a smart way to defend myself.
With twelve hours until the party begins, Apollo and Marcus herd us all to bed and showers.