Conner

“Conner!” 

I turned towards the door at Antonio’s voice. I moved to his side and wrapped him in my arms. The doctors moved to the bed where Skye laid ever since the moment I placed him down. 

“I went as fast as I could.” He pushed away from me to look over at the prone figure. “Has he looked at you?”

I stroked his hair, pulling his head against my shoulder. “No, but he did acknowledge me for a moment.”

When Skye had opened his eyes, I had hoped that he would give me more than that. I wanted- no, needed- to feel his arms around me again, but he had simply stayed in the same position, holding himself as stiff as he could in my arms.

“Sir, would you mind rolling to your back for us?” 

Antonio and I both watched the doctors coax Skye onto his back. When he cried out, Antonio lurched in my arms, attempting to go to his side. 

“Not yet, love. He’ll call us over when he’s ready.” I soothed my vampire even though all I wanted was to go to him as well.

“I need to hold him. Please, Conner!” His pleading. He pressed against my arms, tears filling his eyes.

“I know. I know.” I whispered against his hair. “He knows we are here for him.”

Another cry came from Skye and I growled low in my throat. The human doctor shot me a nervous look, but didn’t make a comment. The vampire doctor, whom I now recognized to be Dr Collins, continued without a moment's hesitation. They worked in tandem to take care of all the visible cuts and bruises before attempting to remove his clothing to see underneath.

“NO!” Skye cried out, flailing his arms, pushing them away from his stomach. “Don’t hurt my baby!” He once again curled up on his side, hugging his protruding belly. His voice dropped to a whimper, “Please, don’t hurt my baby.”

Dr Collins looked over at us. “We need to examine the baby as best we can here.” He said in a low voice, low enough for our ears only. “I know you want to keep your distance until he tells you to come, but I think you need to come over here. Being near his mates should help to calm him.”

Antonio didn’t even hesitate; he flew to Skye’s side and gently stroked his hair. “Little one, can you let the doctors look you and the baby over? We want to make sure you are both going to be okay.”

I stepped up and laid in front of him. “Sweetheart, please.” I pleaded gently. I stroked my thumb across his forehead, a soothing gesture I knew he liked. 

His blue eyes met mine, bright with unshed tears. “Don’t let them hurt my baby. Please, Conner.” He flicked them to Antonio, “Please, Tony. I don’t want them to hurt the baby.” His voice seemed to be fading slightly, but his eyes remained alert with pain.

I pressed my forehead to his and saw Antonio mimic the move against the back of his head. “Never, little one. No one will ever hurt either of you again.” He whispered harshly, brokenly. 

Skye nodded hesitantly then allowed me to arrange him in Antonio’s arms. I reached for his shirt and his breathing hitched.

“Wait!” His voice broke and he pushed my hands away. “I-I…” He tugged at it nervously, his eyes darting around the room.

I cupped his cheek and drew his gaze to mine. “Everything they did to you will be done tenfold to them.” I vowed. “You are still the beautiful man we found; our beautiful, perfect mate. You will never be anything but that in our eyes.” 

“Any marks on your body show your strength.” Antonio added softly.

Skye released a harsh sob, but allowed me to remove his shirt. I watched Antonio’s nostrils flare and had to push down my own desire to kill those I held in the cells. Skye needed us now and I would not do anything to jeopardize the small amount of trust he was once again gifting us. Lash marks covered his upper torso, some still oozing blood, others scabbed over in different stages of healing.

The human doctor, whose name I still had yet to learn, hissed, but made no comment as he began treating the wounds. 

Dr Collins pulled out a stethoscope. “Skye, I want to check your lungs and heart before I listen to the baby. Is that okay?”

Skye looked terrified, but he nodded. “Okay.” He gave his consent. “But can you check the baby first? Please? I tried my best to keep him safe.” He turned his eyes back to me, almost frantic. “I promise, I did my best. I didn’t want him to get hurt. Please don’t be mad! I did my best.” He finished in a broken whisper and I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping him and Antonio in my arms.

“We know you did, little love. We know you did. You are so strong and brave.” I rocked back and forth, soothing his anxious mutterings. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Let the doctors check you and the baby over, then Tonio and I will draw you a nice warm bath and get you all cleaned up.”

The human doctor broke in before I could continue. “I wouldn’t suggest that for a couple more days. You could help him shower if you make sure to cover all the spots we have stitched, but avoid completely submerging him until they come out.” His voice shook and I looked him over, a little annoyed and unimpressed before turning back to Skye.

I huffed, “Okay, a nice warm shower to get you cleaned up, then we’ll wrap you in your favorite blanket and cuddle you between us and feed you until you think you will explode. Then we will watch over you as you sleep, safe in our arms.”

Skye sniffled and nodded. “I’ll let him look us over.” He pushed away from both of us, much to our displeasure. “Would you mind going out while they finish up?” He asked, not looking at either of us.

I reflexively growled. Having been allowed close to him again, I had no desire to leave, but Antonio gripped my arm and nodded to Skye. He reached forward and tipped Skye’s chin up. “We will be waiting for your call. We won’t be far and will hear even the quietest call.” He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to Skye’s forehead before dragging me from the room.