Wren

Part 23

The minute they made it home, Wren sent Sophie off with one of the maids to go visit Vincenzo. He fled to his room and hunched over beside the bed, the fear and panic finally spilling over. He hugged his knees to his chest and sobbed, his father's attack on repeat in his mind. 

The pain was almost unbearable as his weeping wracked his chest. He'd been so scared; for himself, for Sophie. . . how could his father try to hurt a little kid? Well, Wren had been beaten for as long as he could remember, but somebody else's child? He couldn't tell if he was more scared or angry. What had Killian meant when he said they'd meet again? What was he trying to do?

A loud noise suddenly rang through the room. He felt the vibrations in his pocket and pulled out his phone, his heart picking up pace when he saw Matteo's name on the screen. Should he answer? If he didn't, Matteo might suspect something. . .

"Hey, puppy. Where are you?"

"I'm in our room." Wren tried to hide the tremble in his voice.

"Why is Sophie with Dad? Are you okay? You sound a little funny--"

"I'm fine. I just needed some time alone. Did you need something?"

"No, I just wanted to see where you were. I'm done with work for today, so I was gonna come spend time with you and Princess, but I ran into them in the hallway, so I got worried. Anyway, I'll be there soon, okay? I'm bringing Sophie back with me and we can play."

Shit. "Okay, bye," Wren threw the phone down and hauled himself to his feet, hobbling over to the bathroom. He couldn't let Matteo see him like this. 

He stripped off his clothes and turned on the shower, hoping to wash away the tearstains and any dirt he'd missed from earlier. He couldn't lift his arms without pain shooting through him like a bolt of electricity, so it made it hard to clean up. He got out and started to dry off, but when he saw himself in the mirror out of the corner of his eye, he froze.

There was no hiding it. His entire torso was mottled purple and red, even his upper arms and thighs. He knew he needed to tell his husband about the incident, but he didn't want him to see this! He hadn't thought it was that bad. . . Maybe he could just wear sweaters for the next week or so? No, that wouldn't work since he slept in a t-shirt and his boxers. He couldn't just start wearing full pajama sets after seven years--

"What the fuck happened to you?" 

Wren flinched and looked away from himself, locking eyes with Matteo in the mirror, who stood in the doorframe with a shocked look on his face. It quickly darkened into anger as he stomped closer.

"Matteo, just let me explain, please. It's okay--"

Matteo spun him around by the shoulders and scanned the injuries, his face set like stone with an expression Wren remembered well from the first few days he'd been here. He couldn't stop the tears from dripping down his cheeks.

"It. Is. Not. Okay." He growled, gently running his fingertips over Wren's belly, where the the largest bruise was. 

"I'm scared," Wren managed to whisper.

Matteo immediately backed away, his face finally crumbling into concern. He hadn't meant to remind Wren of those times. . . he usually tried to be so careful. . . "I'm so sorry, puppy. Stay right here." 

Wren stood shivering, still wet with the towel wrapped around his waist. Matteo was gone for a few minutes, but when he returned he had Wren's comfort clothes in his hands. 

"I sent Sophie with one of the maids down to Leo and Dace's room. They'll watch her for a while. . . I didn't want her to see this. . ." He trailed off as he pulled the towel off of Wren, using it to dry him.