Nodding, the nurse closes the door, once again leaving us alone.
“We need to get some rest ourselves. They’ll call if anything happens,” I assure Hawk, taking in the bags under his eyes. We all had one hell of a day, and I still haven’t updated the others on what happened at the warehouse with Bowen after they left.
Sighing, Hawk nods his head in agreement and we mutter our goodbyes to a still unconscious Barton before we leave.
Cam wraps me in a bear hug when we get back to the waiting room, and I sink into his embrace.
“You didn't have to wait for us,” I say as Mason does some sort of bro-hug thing with Hawk.
“We wanted to wait in case you needed anything. How's your dad?” Beck asks. He looks exhausted, and glancing at the others, I see the same weariness tugging at their features.
“He’s stable. We’ll know more tomorrow,” Hawk answers with a small smile as Cam pulls me in for another hug, not yet ready to let me go.
Extricating myself from his embrace, I link my fingers with his. “It's been a crazy long day. Let's go home.”
***
Once we’ve all showered and thrown away our bloodied clothes from today, we all collapse onto the sofas in the living room, and Cam hands out beers to everyone. I can already feel my eyelids drooping, exhaustion from today's drama taking its toll.
“Can we all just take a second to talk about what a complete and utter psychotic bitch your mom is,” Cam states with absolutely zero tact as he drops down into the only remaining empty seat. “I never thought she’d have it in her to off her own kids.”
I notice Hawk rub his eyes before pressing his face into his hands and sighing wearily, and I turn to look at him. “I didn’t think she had it in her to actually kill me...but I saw the resolve in her eyes when she pointed that gun at me.” He lifts his head, and there’s a sadness in his eyes. “Never mind what she said about you.” He shakes his head. “I don’t understand how any parent could do that to their child. To a harmless baby.”
Neither do I, but I don’t see the point in dwelling on it. “Me neither, but it doesn’t matter. She’s dead, and Barton’s going to be okay. We’re free and clear.”
“Yeah, except for my father,” West grumbles from beside me.
I squeeze his thigh in reassurance. “We’ll deal with him...tomorrow. You need to get some rest.”
“I’m fine, Firefly,” he assures me, lifting his arm so I can cuddle into him, being extra careful not to jostle him or press on any of the bruising around his ribs or abdomen. Even sitting here must be painful for him.
Just as I’m getting comfortable pressed up against him, Cam’s next words have me groaning. “So, guess who showed up at the warehouse after you left.”
Mason, Beck, and West all look at Cam before their gazes bounce to Hawk and I.
“Motherfucking Bowen,” Cam continues, knowing damn well his words are going to get the other three all riled up.
“What the fuck? What happened?” Mason exclaims, running his gaze over me, inspecting me for any injuries.
Bar a little road rash, I’m fine. I have kept my arms covered all day though, first with Cam’s hoodie at the hospital and now with one of West’s long-sleeved sweatshirt, wanting to put off any questions that were sure to arise from the others at the state of my arm.
“Nothing. I’m not sure what his angle was—to try and take me, maybe.” I shrug my shoulders, not really sure what Bowen thought was going to happen when he snuck up on me. “Not that I was ever going to let him do that. He’s only ever seen me in the compound, when I was weak, and even though he knew the training I’d received and what I’m capable of, I think he thought he’d be able to cower me. He’s always been the one in charge, the one in control, but outside the confines of the compound, he doesn’t have that same power over me.”
“And your PTSD?” Beck questions. “Were you okay?”
“Not at first,” I mumble quietly, ashamed of the way I panicked when he first approached me. “But I was able to work through it.”
“She was amazing,” Hawk speaks up, a proud note in his voice and prideful glint in his eye. “Took him out with one shot.”
I blush under his compliment, returning his heart-warming smile with a shy one of my own.
The six of us sit and chat for a while longer before everyone starts to yawn, and we call it a night. Hawk makes his escape down the hall, and I kiss the others goodnight.
“I’m going to stay with West tonight; make sure he’s okay.”
“Of course, Little Warrior. I’ll see you at breakfast.” Mason places a searing kiss to my lips before heading to his room, and Cam takes his turn before following after him.
“You can stay in my room tonight,” I tell Beck, who nods and glances at West.
“Look after him.” With a kiss, he heads for my room, and I turn to West.
“Come on,” I say, taking his hand. “You need painkillers and to go to bed.”
He doesn’t argue, letting me get him a glass of water and tablets before leading him to his bedroom.
As the door closes behind me, I trail my hand down the front of his t-shirt before tugging it up. He raises his arms so I can pull it off over his head, revealing his chest and abdomen. He watches my every movement with a keen eye, so I’m sure he doesn’t miss the way my face scrunches in annoyance as the dark bruises that are beginning to form on his skin are revealed.
I lightly stroke my thumb over one, feeling that familiar spark of anger flare to life. He tucks his finger under my chin, lifting my head until I’m looking him in the eye.
“I’m fine,” he assures me. “I’m here. You’re here. Forget about today.”
Closing the distance between us, his lips brush mine, stealing my breath and setting my skin on fire. I run my hands over his firm pecs, and he tugs on my hoodie. I pull it off as he steps out of his sweatpants. We discard the last of our clothes, and I can feel the sheer need pouring off him as he drinks me in.
He reaches out a hand, grasping my arm and turning it so he can see the abrasion better. “It’s nothing,” I promise him. His lips pinch, but he thankfully lets the topic go as I step into him. My nipples brush against his chest, hardening at the contact, as my hand moves to cup his balls, giving them a gentle squeeze that has him groaning before I wrap my fingers around his length, working him up just the way he likes.
“Fuck, Firefly,” he groans, staring mesmerized at where my hand is wrapped around him. “Lick me.” The words are a husky demand, and when I glance up at him through my lashes, his pupils are dilated with lust.
Slowly, I get to my knees before him, flicking out my tongue to run around his head, catching a bead of pre-cum and relishing the salty taste on my tongue before licking along his shaft. I continue to pump him slowly as I suction my lips around him, giving another swipe of my tongue over his tip that has a low growl rumbling in his chest. The noise has me clenching my thighs together with need.