Night Fury: Second Act by Belle Aurora Read Free Book Online

it. You’re breaking him.”
    A tear slides down his cheek. Mouth quivering, he chokes out, “I’m trying to save him. I want to save him.” He looks into my eyes , shrugs and asks a hushed, “How exactly do I do that?”
    We stare at each other a little while and I find myself softening towards him. I bunch my nose. “You could start with a shower. And maybe brushing your teeth.”
    He blinks and then barks out a surprised laugh. “Noted. And if I could stand on my own, I would. I know I stink. I smell myself and gag. Why do you think I keep throwing up?”
    His body shaking lessens, and I wonder if this is all he needs to make it better. A distraction. It’s three a.m. and I should be tired, but I’m suddenly smiling.
    I step forward and hold out my hand to him. “C’mon. Let’s get you bathed.”
    Without hesitation, he slips his shaking hand into mine and allows me to pull him up. He puts his arm around my shoulders and I slide my arm around his waist. His very thin waist.
    “You need to eat something.” As soon as I say it, I cringe.
    His fisted hand comes up to his mouth and he gags.
    I whisper through a grimace. “Sorry. I didn’t think.”
    He shakes his head. “It’s fine, just please don’t mention food again.”
    As we walk down the hall, I nod. “Noted.”

    ***

    “Is this a ll right?”
    From my place on the vanity, I look up from my book and peer over at Xavier with raised brows.
    In the tub, with his underwear on, he spreads his arms out. “This. You’re not going to get into trouble for being in here with me, are you?”
    The hairs on the back of my neck prickle.
    Shit.
    I hadn’t thought about that.
    Sliding off the vanity, I walk over to the closed bathroom door and open it widely. I turn to Xavier and smile. “No problem.” I walk back to my sitting place. “Besides, I think Father Robert would be kind of peeved with me if I let you drown.”
    His brows knit as he dips his hand into the water. “You don’t act like a nun.”
    It’s time for one of my brows to rise. “Oh, yeah? And how, pray tell, should a nun act?”
    He shrugs. “I don’t know. But they don’t punch people or swear or threaten people with death.”
    I can’t help but chuckle. “Well, this one does. I think you’ll find we’re not your typical church.”
    He nods and utters distractedly, “No. Not at all like a church.”
    I still.
    What an odd thing to say.
    We sit in silence a moment. I discreetly shake my head and put my paranoia down to Marco screwing us over. I’m questioning everything lately. It’s a shitty feeling.
    After our little conversation slash confrontation, I walked Xavier to the bathroom. I started the tub with lukewarm water, knowing he was burning up, and helped him dress down to his boxers. I held his hand as he stood on shaking legs and assisted him into the tub. As I moved to exit the room to place his clothes into the washing machine, I thought better than to leave an exhausted, currently weak man to drown in the tub. In the vanity sink, I washed his sweats and tank using shampoo. Not ideal but it worked.
    Now he’s been soaking in the tub for around forty -five minutes and it’s close to five a.m. He’s made no move to wash his body with soap, or shampoo his hair and I’m beginning to get antsy.
    I clear my throat. “The shampoo is right there in the green bottle.”
    He gives me a weak nod. His eyes blink sleepily. “I know. I’m just so tired. I can’t lift my arms.”
    Oh.
    Of course.
    Slowly, I move down from my place and walk over to him with small steps. When I reach the side of the tub, I move over his immersed body and take hold of the shampoo. Without asking, I take the washcloth and dribble water over his too-long hair. He groans low in his throat. I put a little shampoo in my hand and work up a lather. As soon as my fingertips touch his hair, his head falls back and he groans louder.
    I wash his hair in a slow but firm motion, scratching his scalp with my