I walked back out into the scorching afternoon air and didn't notice the beads of moisture forming on my face, back, and neck. I stopped just outside the door and my brows creased heavy in my forehead. Kyle came to my side. His forehead and neck were damp with perspiration. I looked up at him. I don't know what he saw, but he opened his mouth and closed it. He stared down at me before he called Aaron over and headed for the car. He was learning. Slowly.

I sat close to the door during the drive back. I stared out the window, but didn't really look at anything in particular. Kyle didn't utter a word. Not a sound. Not even to clear his throat or talk to Aaron. Guess he thought it wasn't a good idea. At least his thinking process was improving.

Once we pulled into the driveway, I got out before Aaron could put it in park. I just wanted to go to my room to get away from all three of them. I needed time alone so I could think. About what? I had no idea. There was nothing I could do for Elaine. Nothing. And it ate at me to the point of exploding. If any one of them even looked at me the wrong way, there would be hell to pay. Or three funerals for G.W. to attend. Either way, it wouldn't be pretty.

The aroma of baked chicken and fresh vegetables hit me like a slap in the face when I walked through the door. My stomach knotted painfully at the thought of filling it with a decent meal, washing away all thoughts of going to my room.

I turned and headed straight for the kitchen, where Shawn was setting the last of four plates of food on the table. It was nice to have someone else do the cooking. I was beginning to think having them around for a while wasn't such a bad idea after all. Besides, they had to earn their keep somehow.

Shawn glanced at me and sat down. I waited for Kyle and Aaron to come in. Once they took their seats, I picked up the remaining plate and glass of milk, and took the seat at the far end of the table. It was as far away from them as I could get without leaving the kitchen altogether, which wasn't a bad idea either.

I picked up my fork, but stopped when I felt their eyes penetrating my skin. My eyes went from Kyle, to Shawn, and then to Aaron. Aaron adjusted himself in his seat and concentrated on his meal once again. One down.

I looked back at Kyle. He glanced at the spot where my plate had been, then at me.

My eyes narrowed. “Is there a problem?” My voice was as deadly as a hissing snake.

His eyes widened before he caught himself. “No.” He scooted his chair in and picked up his fork.

Shawn gave me a disapproving look before he got up from the table, walked over to one of the cabinets, and pulled out a bottle of pills. He tipped the bottle and let one slide into his hand, capped the bottle and put it back in the cabinet. With pill in hand, he came over to me, placed it by my plate, and stood to my side. He stood so close to me, I could feel his breath blow across the top of my head.

I picked it up, held it between my fingers, and stared down at it. The friggin thing was more like a pill you'd shove down a horse's throat-or maybe up its ass.

I looked up at him. “What the fuck do you think I'm going to do with this?”

“Take it.”

My brows rose. “Do what?”

“You heard me.”

I choked back a laugh. “I don't think so,” I said, and tossed it across the table. It bounced along its smooth surface before coming to a sliding halt near Kyle's plate.

“Kyle?” Shawn said.

I glanced at Kyle, who picked it up and slid it back across the table.

Shawn caught it, slammed it down by my plate, and then leaned down, so his face was near mine. “Take it. Or else.” His voice was small and strained.

I wasn't alarmed by his intimidating manner because I had certainly been through much worse than he could ever dish out.

My brow rose. “Or else what?”

His lips formed a malicious sneer. “I'll find a more-unpleasant way to administer it.”

Aaron stopped eating, scraped his chair across the floor as he pushed it back, and then stood up. One might think they were rehearsing for a play. Okay-cue the bodyguard.

Shawn stared into my eyes. They were like gray storms looming overhead. “You do understand, don't you?”

My eyes shot from Aaron, to Kyle. Kyle pushed his chair back as if to get up, but didn't move. Instead, he stretched his legs out, crossed them at the ankles, and then folded his hands in his lap. His brow rose and his lips curled up into a half-smile.

A rush of anger flew through my veins and my heart skipped a beat from the rush of it. My eyes narrowed. “I will not take your friggin drugs,” I said through clenched teeth.

Shawn's jaw worked feverishly and a flush started to creep up his neck. “You'll take what I tell you to take in order to recover fully!” he bellowed.

The anger began to build deep in the core of my soul and I had to swallow hard to keep it down. I had to control it. Unleashing the rage against any one of them would terminate my agreement with G.W. I couldn't afford that. Not yet.

“Take it!” Shawn yelled.

I jumped from the force of his voice. I couldn't help it. I glared up into his eyes before I snatched the pill off the table and put it in my mouth. Shawn handed me the glass of milk. I had to drink half of it to get the damn thing down. When I was done, I slammed the glass down on the table, splashing what was left of the milk over the top of the glass and onto the table around it.

Shawn looked at me for a heartbeat before he went back to his seat. Aaron grabbed his chair and scooted himself back to the table, then all three went back to their meal.

I looked at each in turn before I shoved my plate aside and got up from the table. If I had stayed for even a second longer, I would have lived to regret it.

“Where do you think you are going?” Kyle asked.

“To my room.”

“Not until you've eaten something first,” Shawn told me. His voice was low and dangerous. It sent a shiver along my skin.

Aaron rose from his chair once again.

“Or what? You'll shove it down my throat?”

Shawn glared into my eyes. “If need be, yes.”

I glanced at Aaron. There was the smallest movement to his lips. I looked back at Shawn for a space of breaths, picked my plate up, and walked away. No one stopped me. I guess they knew better. Ahh-huh.

I went to my room and ate in peace. After I finished, I slipped into an over-sized T-shirt and went to bed. I was emotionally exhausted and what happened downstairs didn't help it any. I closed my eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep.