Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
With a warm, encouraging smile, he wraps up the session and assigns journaling as homework. If he only knew how comfortable I am with that task.
How will the guys take to it as part of their treatment?
The notion of us healing feels so far away. It’s a daunting, ambitious goal but also a hopeful one.
As I walk Doyle to the door, his words echo in my mind, a reminder that I can’t take care of everyone all the time. I can stitch their surface wounds, but I can’t heal the ones inside. And they have so many.
“Kody should be right outside.” I reach for the knob. “Do you want to see him next?”
“Sure. Monty scheduled me for the entire day.”
I open the door and peer into the hallway.
Empty.
Alarm spikes through me, but I quickly shrug it off.
“Looks like he stepped away. Probably in the restroom.” I turn back and gasp, shocked to find Doyle standing so close.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He grips my bicep to steady me, his fingers sliding down my arm.
“It’s fine.” I step back, crossing the threshold into the hall.
“Are you sure?” He searches my eyes, his body following my retreat as if I’m pulling him in. “You look shaken. Are you still fighting a panic attack? Maybe you should sit.”
“No.” I put my hand up, accidentally brushing his chest. “Just need a minute.”
“Yes, of course.” Standing just inside the den, he lowers his chin and releases me from his penetrating stare. “Remember, you can always reach out if you need to talk, even if we’re off the clock.”
His fingers graze against mine, offering comfort.
But I don’t feel comfortable. Not with him hovering close enough to taste the spearmint on his breath.
As his hand lifts toward my face, I catch movement from the corner of my eye.
A menacing shadow peels away from the darkness of an adjacent doorway, and those black eyes lock onto Doyle’s hand as he touches my chin.
Kody, no!
His face contorts with rage. Before I can react, he lunges with a feral roar.
18
Frankie
—
“Get your hands off her!” Kody slams into Doyle, sending my heart into overdrive.
“Stop! Stop!” I try to shove them apart, but it’s like moving two brick walls.
With Kody’s weight loss, Doyle outmatches him in bulk and strength. But he can’t rival Kody’s savage fury and predatory speed.
They crash into the wall, swinging their fists, wrestling, spitting, and knocking over an end table.
“Stop it! Both of you!” I leap into the fray, palming their faces and catching my skin on sharp teeth. “Fuck!”
At the sound of my yelp, they break apart.
Eyes locked, they heave through seething breaths, dousing the room in aggression and testosterone.
“He’s been touching you, hasn’t he?” Kody snarls. “He’s trying to take you from me!”
“Frankie?” Doyle steps back, his features scrunched in confusion. “What’s going on?”
“Calm down.” I flatten my hands on Kody’s pumped-up chest, trying to hold him back. “It’s not what you think.”
“I saw the way he looks at you.” His body trembles with barely contained ire. “He had his hands all over you.”
“Kody, please.” My voice shatters. “You’re scaring me.”
His eyes fly to mine, softening for a split second. An agonized sound wrenches from him, and he spins away, pacing through the room with his hands in his hair.
Doyle clears his throat, regaining some of his composure. “It’s clear there are some strong emotions at play here. Perhaps we should continue this another time.”
“You think?” Kody thrusts a finger at the door. “Get the fuck out!”
“No! This isn’t your call.” I ball my hands at my sides. “Other people in this house want to get help.” I give Doyle a quick scan, looking for injuries. No blood or bruises. Just a little ruffled. “If you want to leave, I understand.”
“I’m here for the day. If you direct me to the restroom, I’ll freshen up.” He wipes a hand down his button-up shirt, checking his appearance. “Will you send for Leo and Monty?”
“Yes, of course. The bathroom is right across the hall. I’m sorry about—”
“Don’t fucking apologize to him.” Kody stalks toward me.
I shoot an apologetic look at Doyle and slip into the hall, knowing Kody will charge after me.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment as I march toward the gym. My head throbs. My insides knot, and if he says one wrong thing, I’m going to light his ass up in front of God and everyone.
“Woman.” Kody chuffs and grunts down my neck like a pissed-off bear.
I hold up my middle finger and round the corner, colliding with a hard chest and the scent of woodsy body wash.
“What the—?” Leo catches me, softening our crash. “Hey.” He lifts my chin, instantly sensing my distress. “What’s wrong?”
“Your brother showed his ass.”
Kody scowls, folding his arms.
Monty strides into view, fresh out of a shower like Leo. He takes in our stand-off and immediately goes still, his blue eyes icing over.