She had to smile. It was like old times. Wait. She stiffened. Did he say hospital?
It’s just a dream.
She opened her eyes and stared right into the faces of the men she spent every night dreaming about. Then her mouth dropped open.
“Fuck! You’re really all here!”
Caleb could tell she was about to scream and, without thinking, placed his hand over her mouth. Her huge, hazel-colored eyes widened. She gaped up at him and made a gasping noise.
“She’s not breathing properly,” Wolfe told him.
What?
Fuck!
He removed his hand from her mouth quickly. Horror and self-disgust filled him as he heard her struggling to breathe.
“Fuck. Shit. Fuck! Vivi, breathe!”
“It’s not your fault. I believe she’s having a panic attack.”
Caleb glared at Wolfe. How could that asshole be so calm right now? Christ, why had he put his hand over her mouth?
“Call the doctor!” he demanded.
Aleki placed his hand gently on her chest. “Vivi, listen to me. You’re safe. Breathe. In. One. Two. Three. Out. One. Two. Three. I’m here. You’re safe. Breathe.”
As Caleb watched, Vivi’s breathing slowed. The panic ebbed from her face. What the hell was going on with her? Her husband was dead. They’d found her in an alleyway, injured and in a bad way. She needed help. And there was no way he was leaving her until he was certain she was safe.
Maybe not even then.
As soon as he’d seen her in the alleyway, it had been like a punch to his gut. Part of it was seeing her like that. But most of it . . . was knowing she was his.
Mine.
Touching her had sent an electric wave through him. He’d felt a bit guilty for that response. Here she was injured and half-conscious and all he could think about was claiming her.
Mine.
Except what about Aleki and Wolfe? They were his brothers. They needed him too. And Caleb was the kind of guy who had to be needed.
But he couldn’t give her up. Not again. Once had nearly killed him and she hadn’t even been his.
Twice would eviscerate him.
Not happening. All he needed to do was ensure that Aleki and Wolfe wanted her too.
Easy, right?
There was something so fragile about her right now. She was far thinner. Her hair was matted and dull. Her cheeks sunken. Her skin pale.
Delicate. Afraid.
“Good girl. You’re breathing easier now. That’s it. You’re safe. I’m here.”
“We’re all here,” Caleb said. And to his surprise, she turned her gaze from Aleki to stare up at him.
“How did I get here? Where am I?” Her eyes went wide. She seemed to go even more pale than before. “Wait. I’m in a hospital. Oh no. I have to leave!”