Broken and Shifting (book 2) #wattys2016

Chapter 5

I wake up slowly holding back the gasp that wants to burst out of my mouth from the
pain. A tear slips from the corner of my eye as I lay there for a moment. I
struggled to breath and, touching my ribs slightly, I wince. I brace myself for
a long day before carefully getting out of bed to do my morning chores. Today I
decided to wear the first long sleeve shirt I could find, grey skinny jeans and
my boots. I was just beyond caring. I hurt more than I ever had before. He had
been particularly brutal. Before dressing I take time to wrap my ribs in an ace
bandage and breathe a little easier.

I feel sluggish going through my classes and avoid everyone for as long as possible. I
hide behind my hair at lunch and stiffen when Jason sits by me and grabs my
hand forcefully. I wince imperceptibly but don't make any other movement and he
leans over, sniffs my hair, and breathes into my ear. I close my eyes but don't
move. I can't move. all I can think to myself is how much I wish someone would
just hug me close and tell me I'm not as worthless as I feel right now. He
leans away smiling at my discomfort and as the bell rings I rush to class,
avoiding the bustling crowds in the hallway.

All was well until I bump into a rock wall of a chest and have to wrap my arms around my torso, squeeze my eyes shut, and bit my lip to hold back the scream of pain bubbling in my throat. A whimper still slips out and I have to bend of a little to breathe easier. Soft pants slip out when I can finally breathe again and I look up through my
eyelashes to see Dante with a pain in his eyes being held back by Augi who just
looks sad. I quickly look back down, straighten up, and try to walk away but I'm
grabbed by them and hauled to an empty stairwell where the brothers hug me at
the same time while I'm trying to push them away. Fear bubbles in my chest. "You
guys need to leave now and leave me be." I manage breathlessly after escaping
the group hug. "Please." I plead.

Dante chokes and his eyes flash silver. A growl slips through his mouth and I step
back slowly. I look at Augi silently asking him what his brothers deal is and he
just shakes his head at me. Looking back at Dante I back up slowly with a plan
to leave them when Dante, faster than my eyes can track him, reaches out to
grab my face. He just looks at me with this indecipherable look in his eyes and
brushes his thumbs over my cheeks. His touch leaves a trail of warmth and
tingles in its wake and leaving my catching my breath.

"Come to me or call for me if you ever need me. For anything. Please." he pleads and
it leaves completely confused so I just cock my head to the side and shake my
head. I don't get it. I am pushing him away and he just won't leave me be. I
grab his wrists and pry his hands away from my face and take another step back
shaking my head.

"I can't do that." it hurts but he needs to understand. He has to leave me be. I
turn and walk away and go to class pretending like his words didn't fill me
with hope and crush me completely at the same time.