Not So Delicate ||18+

Brooklyn ~90~

I hadn't even realized it when I fell asleep beside Atticus. The sun had fully set and the room was only lit by the lamp on the night table. It was just us in the room, Zachary and Callan had gone off to do whatever they had to do.

I look at Atticus' sleeping face, he looks so peaceful and troubled at the same time. There was a small line between his eyebrows, his lips set in a small frown. I gently caress his face, my eyes heavy with drowsiness. I hear a low noise come from his throat, his fingers flexing. I was lying on top of his arm, his hand on my waist. I wince a little when his fingers grip my waist tightly.

"Baby..." I say softly, trying to wake him up. He lets out a low groan and sits up as if he was perfectly healed. His arm was pulled out from under me and he just sat there, motionless and quiet. "Honey?"

He says nothing, still staring out into space. At first, I thought he was still asleep, but seeing his eyes open and staring off had me questioning that theory. I said nothing and just watched him, my blood running cold when he slowly turned his head to look at me, his eyes lifeless and cold.

Was he sleepwalking?

Yes. He was. Zachary had told me that he tends to sleepwalk when he's stressed or overworked. He told me how whenever Atticus was sleepwalking, he'd get violent.

"Hey baby, lay back down..." I say softly, slowly sitting up in case I have to run. If anything happened, I know he'd blame himself. He slowly leans closer, his cold eyes staring me down. I was breathing a little heavier now, my hands trembling anxiously.

"You." He says lowly, almost a whisper. I nod softly, offering him a soft smile. He lets out a low noise, something like a growl, making my throat tighten.

"Yeah, it's me, Brooklyn. You know me, baby." I say softly, gently reaching out my hand, not touching him but offering him my hand. He looks down at my hand and then back at me.

"You." He repeats, his voice still low. His hand reaches out and grabs my wrist, yanking me closer to him. He lays down slightly, keeping me gripped tightly to him. His grip was bruising but I said nothing, I simply cooed him softly and eased him back down. "Baby?"

I blinked and his eyes stared into mine, a worried look in them. His hand immediately loosened and he pulled away from me, groaning in pain as he sat up a little. Was he awake now? I hope so.

"Atticus? You awake?" I whisper softly, looking at him cautiously. He nods softly, still looking at me. "I'm okay. You didn't hurt me. You just wanted to cuddle very badly."

"Don't lie." He says lowly, his eyes raking over me to make sure I was okay. I shake my head softly and gently pull him back down to cuddle him.

"Not lying. You just had a little nightmare that's all. Go to sleep, honey, I'll be here with you." I whisper softly, letting his head rest on my chest. He was heavily pumped with medication right now so I doubt he'd even remember what happened.

~~~

"Serious question, do you have something against me?" I grumble bitterly, crossing my arms and looking at Zachary. He looks at me confused before trying to hide his grin. Callan looked up from his phone, watching us curiously. He was shirtless and sweaty and oh my words it did something to my ovaries.

"Why do you ask, sweetheart?" Zach asks innocently, making me narrow my eyes at him. I huff and walk closer, shoving my phone into his face so he could see the lock screen he applied to it.

It was the most horrendous, gut-wrenching, maniacal, repugnant, grotesque, unsightly photo ever taken of me. And what made it worse was the words he put on it... 'Beautiful on the inside and beautiful on the outside'

"You actually broke my heart." I say, looking away with a pout. Of course, he didn't. But I like being dramatic when it comes to him. We also tend to bully each other a lot so that's that.

"Awhh, come here my sweet girl, let me fix it up again." He cooed, pulling me onto him and kissing me all over my face. "How's that?"

"You still owe me." I huff, looking at the door when Atticus walks in. He was finally healed up enough to stay away from medications and machines. Just a few aches and pains where he was shot but nothing too major. He walks in, sweating bullets and panting. He strips off his shirt and takes off his shoes. He had just come from working out to rebuild his strength and.. "Zoo wee mama!"

Oops. That was out loud.

Atticus looks at me concerned before shaking his head and sitting on the couch, careful to not lean back to soak the cushions with his sweat. He looks at me and smiles softly.

"I'm hungry." He says, rubbing a hand over his face and then frowning at something in the corner of the couch. "One of you start explaining."

I grin and stand from Zachary's lap, rushing over to pick up the small black kitten that shyly hid under the couch.

The lady who had adopted Scrug had accidentally left him alone with her female cat and he got her pregnant.. the lady couldn't keep all of the kittens so she gave a few to the shelter. So, I adopted the little thing.

"Meet Ash! She's my early Christmas gift!" I say happily, taking the kitten over to Atticus. He makes a face and shakes his head, making me pout and my shoulders sag. "You don't like cats?"

"That one's looking at me funny." He murmurs, glaring at the little kitten. I huff and sit next to him, gently stroking her soft fur.

"Brooklyn deserves to have a fluffy friend. We've put her through enough trouble don't you think?" Zachary sighs, reaching over to pet the furball. I nod in agreement, side-eyeing Atticus.

"You know what else Brooklyn deserves?" Callan said lowly, his eyes watching me with a dark look in his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing exactly where his thoughts were. And so did the other two.

"Oh of course. But will little miss Brooklyn behave?" Zachary smiles, looking at me with the same look Callan was giving me.

"Sucks to be y'all. I'm on my period so ha ha. Losers." I grin smugly only to be humbled by Atticus' low chuckle.

"You think we're scared of a bit of blood?" He says lowly, his hand gently petting my hair before gently pulling at a strand. "We're men, not boys."

Oh.
~~~

Robbing you guys :>

WE'RE ALMOST TO 100 CHAPTERS AND 1 MILLION READS GUYS OMG!!

If this book reaches 1 millions reads before Christmas, I'll publish the first few chapters of the next book in January or February instead of march!

If you were one of the readers who began reading since I published the first 10 chapters leave your mark under here!

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Love youuu♡