- RAYA -
Dex is so distant as we sit together on the bed, so consumed with his thoughts that after awhile it seems like he's not even aware I'm here. Not until I draw his attention back, hoping he will talk to me, pairing my words with a gentle touch to help relax him as much as I can.
It's catching Lawson the way he did that's tormenting Dex at the moment. I wonder how badly he hurt his brother, because if those scratches and knuckles are any indication, it was bad. Really bad.
I would expect Dex to have maybe received some hits to the face in retaliation rather than scratches on his neck like that, but I'm not going to allow my thoughts to wander into the territory of what position that means Lawson was in. I don't want to know. Whatever happened, Lawson deserved it. He's so much scarier and more dangerous than I thought.
It's eating away at Dex, though. I can see it.
"Talk to me," I say softly.