VELICIA
I stood there patiently, with my hands folded as I waited for them to say something. I looked back and forth between the brothers.
No one wanted to give up.
Cray and Cole were staring at each other vehemently. Their eyes were narrowed, and their jaws were clenched. Their hands twitched at their sides, their fingers flexing like claws ready to strike.
Carl met my eyes, then looked down at my bruised, swollen wrists.
Without saying anything, he stepped towards me and gently took my hands in his. I winced at first, but then relaxed as his long fingers began lightly massaging, easing the throbbing pain. His touch was cool and soothing.
“I think she's right,” Carl said calmly, still focused on my hands. “Since none of us is ready to back out, let us all take her out.”
Exactly m
