Book 3: Saving Scars {BoyxBoy}

Chapter 18

Collin was on his hands and knees, emptying his stomach into the trash bin that Emmet had pulled towards him. His eyes were filled with tears, and his stomach kept lurching from what he'd heard. Even though he knew it all already, hearing his father admit it.... and what was worse, Seth had heard it. Damn it, how could Collin forget so easily that Seth didn't know?! After all that time hiding it... not wanting to scare the young boy... now he knew.

He knew how disgusting Collin was, how tainted Dani had been. He was happy that George hadn't mentioned the fact he'd gotten his own daughter pregnant. Then again, he probably didn't know. Dani had shot herself the day she found out. Only Collin knew. He'd have to tell Dante later so he could tack another twenty years onto George's sentence.

Collin felt his stomach lurch again, his body trembling as he threw uo again, his nails digging into the carpet beneath his hands. He could hear people yelling around him, mainly Seth screaming bloody murder and cursing like a sailor. Collin almost laughed. Still, the thought that someone was near him and touching him made Collin throw up again, and he tried to curl away from the hands on his shoulders, only to be pulled up against a broad chest.

The familiar spicy scent of musky pine filled all of his senses, and he instantly relaxed, burying his have against Emmet's shirt, silently apologizing for the bile and vomit he was smearing into the fabric. Everything was a blur to him at the moment though, there was no way he'd be able to wipe his mouth before hiding against his strong protector.

Being so close to Emmet made him feel safe, but when he felt a hand touch his forehead, he shot back, starting to scream as he thrashed his arms around, trying to hit whoever had tried to hurt him. Emmet held him tighter, whispering into his ear as another voice started cursing at people to back the fuck uo and leave Collin alone, followed by someone insisting they were merely checking his temperature.

Collin stopped screaming after a moment, his eyes drooping, his body shivering, Emmet's arms protectivly around him, calming him so well that he immediately passed out, feeling worn oit and sick. Maybe listening to the interrogation had been a bad idea after all...

~@~

Emmet stood up slowly, with Collin carefully cradled in his arms. Anthony was screaming at Annie, who was holding both of her hands up on defense as the shorter boy cursed her out for touching Collin while he was freaking out, saying she should know better. After looking over Collin's have to make sure he was okay, Emmet looked at his brother, narrowing his eyes.

"Anthony," the young man instantly stopped talking, turning to Emmet, "Enough. Don't sake him up," Anthony nodded in understanding, and Emmet walked over to the now empty couch, lying Collin down gently and pushing his bangs from his face.

Annie took an unsteady breath, muttering something in Italian as she looked over the faces in the room. Kieran was hugging Seth tightly as the boy sobbed horribly, his body shaking so hard it was possible he'd throw up like Collin had. Casey had his arms around Seth as well, with Lex behind him, hugging his sister as she shivered, her eyes wide. Cal was hugging Jaimie, and Wolfgang was pacing the room while chewing his nails, seemingly deep in thought. Anthony had left the room to dispose of the trash can, and Will was still cradling his wrist, staring dazed at the opposite wall.

When Dante entered the room with his file, he froze, looking startled as he looked around the room, "What happened?" he asked as he walked up to Annie, who shook her head.

"I do not know."

"Collin had a breakdown," Anthony said from behind Dante, holding the now empty trashcan, "Wanna smell, asshole?" he shoved past Dante, dropping the bin onto the ground before turning back to Dante, "Saying all if that shit so casually, you're fucking lucky you couldn't see his fucking face. The second you shit that door, he collapsed, and you're responsible for it," he pointed over to where Emmet was kneeling beside the couch where Collin was lying unconscious, "As of now, you're Emmet's worst enemy, and I'm not stopping him when he comes after you."