by Emma Cole
Braeden is up next and gives me a wan smile as he passes me on his way into the bathroom. I slide more clothing on under my towel in case the others walk in. Not that they haven’t seen literally every part of me now, but I feel more modest outside that room. For some reason I wasn’t as hesitant as I’m feeling now. I drink most of a bottle of water before I come up for air and get started on the tangles in my hair with the brush I'd found in the mirrored cabinet. Rex and Emmett come in as Braeden is coming out, and I can’t look at any of them as Emmett speaks to Brade.
“Hey, man. I found Tylenol and ibuprofen. Which would you rather?” Braeden takes one of the bottles and shakes some tablets out before handing them over to me. I get up to grab the other bottle too and shake out two of each. Smarties should know you can take both of those together, even if it's not great for you, and I’m taking advantage of that fact. I say as much when all three complain about mixing them. Instantly, they’re all taking two of whatever they already hadn’t, and I can’t keep a giggle from slipping out. They just looked so desperate for it. “I also found this in the cupboard. I’m going to shower, and I’ll leave it in the bathroom, I saw gloves on the back of the toilet.” Waving the tube at us, now red in the face, Emmett goes into the bathroom and closes the door behind him.
“Birdie baby, how are you doing?” Braeden comes to hold me, easing us both down on the bed.
Burying my head in his chest I mumble, “Like I got fucked for hours and then managed to get road rash up my ass at the end.” He chuckles before groaning at the jarring movement. I peek up and see Rex shifting from foot to foot, trying to get comfortable.
Soon, the water shuts off, and a few moments later, a yelp sounds out from behind the bathroom door. Rex rushes to it, and since none of the rooms other than that torture chamber we were in earlier have locks, he barges right in.
I wish he had knocked first. I’m for sure Emmett wishes he had knocked first. He’s holding his rear, his gloved-up hand between his legs. I look away as soon as it registers what I’m seeing.
“Get the fuck out, Rex! Ever hear of privacy, or knocking? For fucks sake, shut the door!” Poor Emmett is horrified.
“Sorry, man. Thought you fell or something.” Rex is mortified. I’ve noticed we’re all avoiding certain topics like they’re the plague, which is odd to me considering none of us objected much at all while it was happening.
Emmett’s voice comes muffled through the door, “I didn’t know it was going to sting. I should have realized, although now that it’s been a minute, it’s feeling better.” He opens the door dressed and acting like nothing has happened at all. The federal agent façade is firmly in place. Rex takes his turn, and the shower starts again. Emmett looks from me to Braeden and then walks out of the bedroom without a word.
In the quiet of the water being turned off, a muffled curse comes through the door. A few moments later, Rex comes out walking almost normally. I guess the stuff must work if he can stand straight without grimacing. He also leaves the room and closes the door behind him. Braeden rubs my back then sits back to look at me.
“Why don’t you go try some?” I don’t want to tell him that I’m hurt. It’s not bad, but if the guys had a bad time, and I’m assuming they don’t have my issue, I don’t want to know how it will feel with scuffed up, open spots.
“I think I’m alright. The painkillers are helping.” He looks at me like he knows there’s something else but decides not to pursue it. Gently, he sits me down on the bed and goes into the bathroom. I don’t hear anything until the sink turns on, then he comes back out with a glove and a tube in his hand.
“If you won’t do it yourself, I will. It’s instant relief.” I shake my head no. “Then drop ‘em.'” He better not mean what I think he does.
“I’m not letting you do that. You’re my best friend!” I’m shocked that he would want to. Not that he wouldn’t want to take care of me, but that he’d go so far to do so.
“I’ve had my dick in your mouth, we’ve seen each other naked, I’ve fucked, been fucked, and I'm sure, will watch you get fucked. I think I can apply some medication for you.” He forgot to add fucking me too, or maybe he left that out on purpose.
“I can’t.” I cross my arms and stare past him.
“Why not? Do you not trust me?” Now he looks hurt.
“I have some, um— abrasions.” I say it as quietly as possible. He looks confused. “I’m afraid it will hurt them, they need to heal.” Understanding dawns.
“How bad? Are you bleeding or just roughed up a little?”
“The wash cloth was pink when I cleaned up.” I’m mortified and don’t want to discuss this.
“That fucker, he was too rough with you. Let me see.”
“No, I’ll be fine, it just needs a bit to heal up.”
“You may not have that kind of time. I need to know how bad it is. I’m not new to accidental rear end injuries.”
Fuck my life.
“Fine, but in the bathroom. I don’t want the others to walk in.” I get up carefully and go into the bathroom with Brade right behind me closing the door.
“Alright, easiest would be to lean over the sink.” Without a word and my features as blank as possible, I drop my pants and bend over. Braeden gets on his knees behind me. My eyes well up when he parts my cheeks. This is not how it’s supposed to be. “Just relax, little bird. It’s only me.” He wets a cloth in the sink and presses it against me. It’s still slightly pink, but less than it was. “I think it’s ok. I’m going to put some of this stuff on it. Take a deep breath. It only stings for a second.” He puts it around my opening then slips a generous amount inside. My ass is on fire, but I was prepared for the sting and keep quiet. Thankfully, it doesn't take long before the discomfort dissipates. I refuse to think about Braeden touching me this way. We’ll get out of here and never think of this again. He helps me with my pants and gets me back to bed, tucking me in. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I lay there trying to sleep and just start crying, unable to stop my tears. I muffle it in my pillow, not wanting anyone else to hear me.
Braeden
I come out of the bedroom to find Rex and Emmett talking. “Have they come out of there yet?” Rex answers me.
“Not unless there’s another exit in there. Why?”
“I need to speak with them.” I turn to head back to that room. I'm pissed and going to let those two jackasses know they can't treat my girl like they have.
“We’re the contacts here. What do you need to speak to them about?” Emmett this time. Acting like the usual stuck up prick he is. It really does ruin his attractiveness.
“That’s not your business.” I move to leave, but both men close ranks to block me. Are they fucking kidding right now? “You two are fucked up, you know that right? I didn’t sign up for this shit.” More quietly I add, “Neither did Lark, and she’s hurt, I need to go talk to them.”
“What?!”
“How?” I shush them. Lark will have my balls if she knows I tattled.
“Be quiet, she didn’t want anyone to know. I finally made her let me look. It’s not terrible, but she needs time to rest and let it heal. They were too rough with her.” They both look concerned, then Rex addresses me.
“Rough with her? How bad is it? You tore my shit up, but I’m alright.” I blow out a breath, trying to keep my patience with the neanderthal, so I can attempt to explain in words he'll understand.
“That was my dick, and I was more careful than you realize. For Lark's sake, not yours," I'm quick to assure him. "I just need to go let them know she needs to be left out of whatever is going on later.” With that, I push through them, and they don’t stop me this time. Instead, they follow. I reach the door as Marcus and Apollo are coming out.
“Gentlemen, may we help you?” Apollo addresses us, back to the professional businessman now.
“Lark needs to be left out tonight. She’s bleeding some, not bad, but it needs a chance to heal,”
Emmett speaks up. I'm going to kick his ass. Always has to try to outdo everyone else. I have no clue why Rex puts up with him and claims him as his closest friend.
“I noticed some blood on the equipment. It wasn’t much, but I was sending Dr. Martins to check on her anyway before you have to get ready. We’ll see you later.” Seemingly unconcerned, they both leave.
Shaking my head at their attitude, I go back into the bedroom to get some rest and find Lark crying. Climbing into her narrow bed behind her, I offer what comfort I can.
***
Lark
Feeling the bed dip and arms wrapping around me, I turn and bury my face in Braeden’s chest, crying for quite a while longer. “I don’t know why I did that! What is wrong with me?” I’m so confused and ashamed.
“We all did, Lark. You’re not the only one. We’re in a fucked up situation, and we need to do what we have to, to get out. If the situation was different, and we didn’t know help was coming soon, we would be fighting every minute. Cooperation is our chance at surviving this. Fighting may get one, or all, of us killed.” Even if he's right, it doesn't help my feelings of shame and disgust.
“But I told him he could go down on me when he asked! Why would I answer him? Tell him yes? That’s not me.” My venting does nothing to calm me and being so upset I start crying again.
“I’m not sure, but that room and the situation makes for a lot of trauma. Even if it doesn't seem like it in the moment. Do what they want, and we’ll get out of here. Please don’t cry any more, love bird.” He holds me tighter, and I eventually fall asleep.
***
Rex
Hearing Lark crying is killing me, and I wish I could go hold her. Despite wanting to, I know I won’t be welcome.
Going into the common area to speak with Emmett, I sit on one of the chairs and wince. Even with the meds and cream, my ass still feels like it took a beating. Who knew Braeden had such a big cock? Lark never said anything. I’ll admit to being jealous of him before, but now I wonder, after seeing them interact in this scenario, if they ever thought about being together. The way he cares for her I could see it being a possibility. Trying to push those thoughts from my head, I concentrate on Emmett.
“Any ideas on how soon you think we can get out of here?” I ask him while doing stretches on the floor, trying to limber my muscles up. Doesn't hurt to stay ready for trouble.
“Nothing we haven’t already discussed. Talking to Apollo about it more risks being overheard, just need to wait it out, I suppose. Although I didn’t think we would be moving this quickly— something is off. We were picked up nearly a week early, and when it was originally discussed, there wasn't any physical stuff for almost two weeks until all the test results were in. Something has sped it up. I think we need to scrap this whole operation and get out of here while we still can. If we can’t get an extraction for everyone approved, and soon, we need to see about breaking out ourselves.” Emmett's concern and suspicions are enough to validate the bad feeling that's been burning in me since we woke up with Lark.
Having nothing productive to add, I just agree with him. Then a thought occurs, something that's been bugging me. “Hey, um, I was wondering. Did you feel off in there? Before, I mean? I feel like I was entirely too okay with what went down even if it’s something we'd agreed to.”
“I felt the same way, like coming down off a high. Maybe it’s sensory deprivation or something with all the white, the lighting, and the plastic in there.” While troubling, that's not enough to hold my attention when Emmett berates me. "You know, you should be in there with Lark, right?"
"I'm aware." I bite out. "Just as we're both also aware she'd probably kick me in the balls if I tried. Today was hard, watching her hate me, and sure as shit, it'll only get worse."
"She's a little firecracker in the sack, isn't she?" My eyes narrow on my best friend and housemate as he goads me. "I remember that one time coming home from an assignment and she was going to town on your dick. Kind of like she did Braeden's today."
Jaw tight, and quelling the urge to punch my partner in the face, I grit out, "What's your point, Emmett?" He's sporting a devious expression, and I'm thinking we might tussle yet.
"Just saying, man, if you're trying to push her straight into his arms you're doing an excellent job. You think he hasn't been waiting— for years— to have the opportunity to be her one and only? I know I wouldn't have passed it–" Emmett cuts himself off, features morphing into contriteness, but it's too late for that.
"Passed what up, Em? Taking my girl?" Emmett wants Lark? I'll kick his ass. He rises to the bait.
"Not your girl anymore, and what a bang-up job you did of taking a break with her so you could come here." He shakes his head as he waves his arm out to encompass the room, before changing the direction of the conversation slightly, away from dangerous territory. "Just saying that if for some reason you two didn't work out, I can't swear I wouldn't have tried to swoop in. As for Braeden, while he's outwardly gay— and I believe he really is at least to a point— have you ever noticed more than a hook up or friends with benes' around?"
Thinking back, I can't recall anyone long-term being around or mentioned. In fact..."I'd say the same about you. Why is it, Emmett, that you've not had a real girlfriend since I met Lark? And the one at the time disappeared rather quickly, now that I think about it." My suspicions are confirmed by my friend's uncharacteristic bashfulness. Incredulous at my revelation, I continue, "Dude, are you hooked on my girl?" My world has gotten beyond wobbly, first having to break-up with Lark, then her getting mixed up in this, and now finding out my best friend, who may as well be family, has a torch for her. The sense of surreality is hard to take.
"Man, I can't believe it's taken you this long to notice. How the hell did you ever get her to date you? You have to be the luckiest son of a bitch that she did, and that we're like family; otherwise, I'd have had to take my chances." What the hell? Emmett and Lark?
"You never tried–" He cuts me off before I finish my accusation.
"Nah, man. She thinks I'm weird. Besides, she's hung up on you like crazy— or was. You need to figure it out as soon as we abort this shit show."
I'm in full agreeance with his advice— only figuring out the how part is going to be tricky with a pissed off Lark. Woman can hold a grudge, and it's not like my dumbass did something small like forgetting to put the lid back on the peanut butter or leaving the toilet seat up. Actually, it may have been close to when she fell in, in the middle of the night. The aftermath hadn't been pretty.
"Alright, bro. I get it, I'm wiped and ready for bed. See you when we get up?" Slightly dejected I leave Emmett, heading for the bedroom. Lark appears to be sleeping when I check on her, but as I go toward her for a closer look, I get stopped short by Braeden’s arctic stare. Shaking my head at his alpha male display, I climb into my own bed.
“She’ll eventually need you. She’ll need both of us.” Braeden's declaration is quiet. I don’t acknowledge him, but he’s right. I just need to get over my ego and pride right now.
Chapter Nine
Mutiny
Lark
Waking to my shoulder being shaken, I blink bleary eyes open to see Brade and start to smile at him until I remember where we are. He gives me a small smile in return.
“Hey, sleepy bird, it’s time to get up and ready.” He seems nervous. “I may have spoken with the guys so that I could tell Apollo that you need a timeout on all this. Him and Marcus just came in to get us ready for tonight. They brought the doctor along with them.” He sees the horrified look on my face and quickly speaks before I do. “Rex and Emmett tried to stop me from talking to Apollo until I told them you weren’t going to be at a hundred percent for a while. After that, they let me go talk to him, but he wanted a reason why, and I didn’t see any way around it. He, or maybe Marcus, decided to bring the doctor. I’m sorry, I just don't want you hurt more.” He looks like a kicked puppy. I want to be mad at him, but I know he was jus
t trying to help.
“It’s alright, Brade. I really would have been fine though,” I gripe. I excuse myself to the bathroom, do my business and brush my teeth. At least I don’t have to worry about a period while I’m here. Braeden and I have separate bathrooms at home, so other than PMS he doesn’t have to deal with that sort of thing. Most women don't have them often on the shot, but I'm one of those weird ones that occasionally do. I brush my long hair out and put it up in a ponytail with a hair tie I found in the closet earlier. Going back out, I see Rex and Emmett have joined us.
“Braeden, you coming with me?” I ask, noticing the disappointed look on Rex’s face when I don’t acknowledge him. Braeden nods and follows me out of the room.
I'm turning into the common area when Braeden grabs my elbow, redirecting me back toward the ‘white room’ as I’ve dubbed it in my head. I pause, not wanting to go back in there, before giving in when Braeden nudges me again.
The door is unlocked when we reach it, and we go right in. Rounding the last corner I see Dr. Martins is setting some things out on the counter, and Apollo and Marcus are at a closet I didn’t notice before. The door is flat without an obvious knob, but my curiosity flees as Dr. Martins speaks.
“Ms. Jones, I hear you have some rectal bleeding.” Oh, freaking kill me now. Did he have to say that out loud?
Hoping to avoid this altogether, I try, “I suppose, but don’t think it’s enough to warrant a visit to the doctor.”
“I disagree. You need to be in top shape for any presentations, or so I’m told, and you have your first one in a couple hours. I need to assess if you are well enough to participate. Is that the only area of concern?” I nod my head in the affirmative. “Then please remove the clothing from your lower half. Your companion can stay or go, that’s your decision.” I don’t want anyone here for this, even if it is just Braeden.