Chapter 194

I cleaned my family gently and thoroughly. Touching their backs seemed to irritate them, so I was very gentle cleaning the evil looking marks. Most of them appeared to be healing already, which was good. While I worked they watched me with wary eyes. It was a bruise to my ego that they disliked my touch after being with the women. Of course it was normal, but it didn't mean I liked it.

"I will not hurt you, my love," I told Damien softly.

"And we do not wish to hurt you," he replied.

It was a strange comment and I wanted to ask him about it. I would have, but this wasn't the place. Instead I finished cleaning him and washed his Brothers in silence.

They didn't stay downstairs to mingle with their friends. Basin and his Brothers tried to start a conversation about the whip marks. Damien ignored him and bid him good night. It was an abrupt and brusque end to the conversation.

We walked silently to our dwelling and I took brief glances to examine their