Chapter 7 (2/2)
”He betrayed my trust. I never thought he'd go behind my back.”
”I betrayed you, too,” she said, her eyes wide at the sight of blood on the hardwood floor. ”I should be broken and bruised.”
”Don't say that,” Clyde said, shaking his head. ”I'm sorry you had to see that. Come here, sweetheart.”
She pulled the comforter even tighter around her naked body and bit her lip, touching a finger to her nose, as if she could feel where Clyde had injured Ryan the hardest. ”You won't hurt him anymore?”
”He's had enough,” he said, humorlessly chuckling. He helped Ryan up and helped him over to the bed. ”I'm such a fucking ass. I'm sorry, man.”
”I deserve it,” Ryan croaked. He massaged his neck where bruises were bound to form. ”I went behind your back, and that isn't what brothers do to each other.”
”I guess that makes you a bloody wanker.”
Ryan laughed, but it was painful to do. ”She doesn't know I do, Clyde.”
It took a moment for Clyde to realize what he was referring to, and when he finally did, he nodded in understanding. ”I want to hear you say it to her.”
”Callie,” Ryan said, searching for her gaze. He took a deep breath and grunted when the pain of it went straight to his lungs. ”Come up here and sit with me, love.”
She looked up at Clyde's outstretched hand and took it, following him to the edge of the bed where Ryan sat. ”Are you okay?”
”I'll heal,” he assured her. He took both of her hands into his and sighed. ”I hate to do this when my face is a little fucked, but Clyde won't have it any other way. I have to tell you that I love you, darling. I really love you.”
She blankly stared back at him. Then tears flooded her eyes and an explosion of feelings filled her insides until she couldn't stop sobbing.
”What's the matter, love? Did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head and pressed her lips to his, wincing when he abruptly pulled away and wiped the blood he smudged on her nose. ”I'm sorry.”
”No, I should apologize.”
She kissed his cheek and patted the space next to her to have Clyde sit down. She took each of their hands and kissed them. ”I love you, Clyde. You're my big brother. And I love you, too, Ryan. I love you so damn much. You two are all I have, so you have to promise me that this won't come between any of us.”
”I promise,” Clyde quickly agreed.
”I swear on my life,” Ryan said. He leaned over to kiss her cheek and then shook his best mate's hand, as if to call a truce.
”Good,” Callie said, offering them both a smile. ”Now get cleaned up, and please don't leave a single trace of blood.”
”Anything for you,” Clyde murmured with the slight shake of his head. He watched her disappear through the bedroom door and pulled Ryan up, helping him into the bathroom. ”You really fucking owe me, Worthington.”
”Don't I know it.