She thrashed again, moaned, and I imagined it was the painful sound she’d made when whoever the hell beat the shit out of her did it. Her hand went to her side, but she calmed, applying pressure and grimacing in her sleep.

No longer thrashing and screaming, I moved closer again and settled my hand on her shoulder to give her a gentle shake. “Come on, Emmersyn, wake up.” Her skin was lined with sweat, her shoulder clammy from it. “Come on. It’s a nightmare. You’re safe.”

Emmersyn’s breathing slowed, and then her eyes jerked open. Dark pools of fear slammed into me, and I stepped back, lifting my hands.

“It’s me, Kane. Kane Andrews? Heather’s brother,” I stammered it out fast so I didn’t scare her more.

“What?” She looked around. “Where?… oh God… was I?”

“Screaming? Yeah.”

She took in the room, eyes sliding every which way, and once she blew out a breath and scrubbed her eyes, I was finally able to relax.

“You okay?”

“Shit.” She pushed herself to sit. The move shoved the blankets down farther, exposing the spaghetti strap cotton top she wore with a deep V-neck. I yanked my gaze off her ample cleavage. “I was…”

“Having a nightmare. You okay now, though?”

Her eyes were glassy. She shook her head and looked out the window before a tremble coursed through her shoulders. Her breasts shook, and I tore my gaze off her body.

I didn’t know her. And I didn’t need to be staring at her like that, not after she’d clearly been beaten. What I needed was to have a serious conversation with my sister as soon as I knew she’d be awake.

“I’m so sorry,” she rasped, and her voice was dry. Probably from all the screaming. How long had she been doing it before I heard? “I woke you up.”

“It’s all right.”

“It’s six in the morning. You need your sleep and shit… I’m so sorry.”

“Emmersyn.” Her name was more of a command, one she heeded. Once her still hazy gaze met mine, I held out my palms. “It’s fine. We’re good. All good. I get up soon anyway.”

Total lie. I didn’t have practice until three, which meant normally I wouldn't wake up until ten. Considering last night’s late night, I was exhausted.

I also knew I wouldn’t fall back asleep, considering the way I’d been woken.

She didn’t need to carry more guilt.

“Do you need anything? Water?”

She swallowed and cringed, and as she did, her chin dipped down. Eyes widened before she yanked her head back up, eyes meeting mine again.

Shit. My boxers.

“Fuck. I’m sorry,” I started to say and stepped back.

“You’re apologizing for me waking you up?”

I had no idea what happened to her. How badly she’d been hurt. A half-naked man, especially a guy my size in general, could do more harm than good, I figured.

Still there was humor in her tone, better than the fear, and if I wasn’t mistaken, a slight flush to her cheeks.