He wanted to be a savage.
A savage like Hunter.
However, years of discipline and strict structure would not allow this.
He pulled back because he had to—because ultimately, heneededto.
A gentlemanmust nottake.
*
Leo took her to his family’s clinic. A doctor was already waiting inside for her. As Shane parked the car in front of the practice, he said, “We’re not alone.”
Leo peered out, catching sight of a figure pacing up and down the sidewalk in front of the clinic. His spine stiffened.How did he find them?
More than that—how did Hunter know what happened already?
Hunter came to a sudden stop once he spotted them, but even from this short distance, Leo could sense the anger—the raw anguish. His tall frame was impossibly tight, and his hands were clenched into fists.
Skye was still buried in his lap, her face pressed against Leo’s chest, as if he were her shield. He wrapped his arms around her, murmuring, “We’re here, sweetness. I’m going to take you inside. You’re going to be okay.”
She was tired, her shaking had long subsided. She nodded once, saying nothing as he opened the door. Shane was already out of the car and at his side, helping.
The second Hunter saw her broken form in Leo’s arms leave the car, he came at them like thunder. His presence was overwhelming; Hunter had a dark aura about him. Thatthinghe had warned about to Leo when he craved to hurt—thatthingwas surfacing—and Hunter looked merciless.
“Skye,” he hissed, and his voice wasn’t soothing. It wasn’t soft like itoughtto be, like Leo’s voice was. And he should have been soothing, for Skye’s sake.
Leo glared at him. “Give her some space, Hunter—”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” Hunter retorted, already pointing a finger in his face. “This isyourfault—”
“Hunt, I’m trying to make it better—”
“Nothing can make this better—”
“Would you calm down forher?” Leo cut in, keeping his voice level.
Hunter’s dark eyes burned into his as he clenched his teeth. It must have taken a lot for him to hold back—to rein thatthingin—but he did. He returned his focus on Skye. He was at her side every step of the way, his hands touching her, already erasing Leo’s touch—and fuck, would he fucking stop touching her?
Leo took in a shuddering breath, trying to remain calm as Shane opened the door to the clinic. Leo stepped in and then Shane blocked the door from Hunter, stopping him from advancing. “Just wait.”
Hunter cursed, his voice already rising. “You’re not keeping me from her, Shane.”
“You’ll spook the doctor,” Shane explained, his voice sharp. “You will wait until you are calm.”
Leo didn’t turn back to see Hunter’s expression. The doctor and nurse were already scurrying around the counter to look her over. They led Leo into the patient room, and he settled her down on the examination bed. Under the fluorescent light, Leo saw the total damage inflicted on her. He let out a harsh breath, swamped with shock.
“Make her better,” he demanded the doctor, his body shuddering.
They were already sliding her leggings down, inspecting the deep scrapes and bruises. There was swelling in her thigh, it looked enormous and red, and she cried out when the doctor pressed on it. Ahematomathe doctor called it.
“Don’t hurt her,” Leo bit out, but fuck, he couldn’t see this. He couldn’t watch her face contort to pain; it was too much, it hurt him too much. He felt lightheaded. Felt like he might fall to pieces. Why—Why did it physically hurt him to see her in such pain? Why couldn’t he hold himself together?
Her red eyes were on his, and she could see his retreating form, his shock and self-loathing, his inability to be at her side and hold her shaking hand. Her lips quivered as she brokenly whispered, “Hunt. I want Hunt.”
Yes, yes, she could have Hunter in here with her. He could ease her better than Leo could. He felt suddenly grateful that Hunter was there.
They let him in not a minute later. Leo watched from the doorway as Hunter rounded the bed and dropped down next to her. He held her hand and didn’t leave her side.