He took a threatening step toward one of the men but then Ellie softly moaned. His gaze zoned on her instantly and it forced him to rethink his decision. Caring for her became his first priority. He could kill those bastards after he made certain she wasn’t acutely injured.

He took breaths through his mouth to help dilute her terrified scent and he fought his animal for control. He glanced at each of his men, acknowledged their rage as well, and knew they were looking to him for guidance on how to handle the situation. That assisted him as well to calm down as he forced his fists to unclench. He gave hand signals to his men to secure the ass**les responsible for the attack. He didn’t trust his voice.

Fury tried with great difficulty to appear composed, something he definitely wasn’t, as he approached Ellie. He wanted to drop to the floor and cradle her in his arms and give comfort. It reassured him that he’d reached her in time but then the male human scents mingled with hers.

It enraged him, smelling them on her. She was his, damn it, and he’d fought hard to stay the hell away from her after Justice’s warning. He had, except for a few nightly trips to glimpse her from afar, and now she’d nearly died. Orders be damned, he’d touch her now. He moved with care not to startle her. He needed to make certain she was really all right even if he had to strip her to inspect every inch. He wouldn’t settle for less.

Fury knew he had to keep a cool head. Ellie had to be leery of him after the incident at his house and he didn’t want to show her how much she meant to him. The last thing he needed would be Ellie understanding how badly she could hurt him.

Keep it cool, he ordered himself. Act as if I can control myself in her presence. He hoped he could anyway. She would be safe and he would remain with her since she’d been traumatized. To have her worry that he’d toss her over his shoulder, carry her back to his house, and tie her down on his bed again wasn’t something she needed at that moment. No matter how much that was exactly what he wanted to do. He’d keep her safe even if it meant he’d guard her around the clock. He knew he really couldn’t do it but it soothed his animal to at least consider doing exactly that.

He needed to be with her right now, to talk to her, to stick close to her until he had no doubt she’d be okay. Otherwise he’d breach the edge of insanity knowing how close she’d come to death and how he could have lost her forever.

Ellie stared up into Fury’s intense, dark gaze when he crouched down in front of her. He hesitated a second before his finger curled under her chin. He wore black gloves, leather from the feel of them, and his touch gentled while he examined her. He turned her head to study her neck and face. He released her chin. Without any warning or word, he grabbed Ellie’s arms under her elbows, and gently pulled her up, to stand.

She realized the back of her shirt parted and exposed her skin. Fury’s hold tightened on her as she nearly collapsed when her legs wobbled. A soft growl came from the back of his throat and rage once again gripped his features. It frightened Ellie’s, wondering why he’d made that scary noise directed at her. His hands eased their hold from her arms but in a heartbeat he leaned down, gripped behind her legs and back. He swept her into his arms to secure her tightly against his chest. He didn’t look at her.

“I’ll clean her up and check for injuries. Hold ground with them outside.” Fury snarled the words. “No one comes inside the dorm.”

A fierce-looking man with long black hair nodded. “Understood.”

Fury strode forward. Ellie hesitated a second before wrapping her arm around his neck. She was tired, hurting, and too traumatized to care where he took her. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and closed her eyes. For whatever reason, he and his men had come to save her from a horrible death at the hands of the two assailants. Another few minutes… She shivered at the thought of what would have happened to her. She burrowed closer against Fury and didn’t miss it when his body tensed. He kept walking though.

Ellie opened her eyes when he paused and kicked something. He pushed open the door to carry her inside the women’s bathroom. He frowned, glanced around, and then headed for the long counter of sinks. He gently set her down so she perched on the edge, facing him. She had to let him go when he slowly backed away.

Fury spun and glanced around the room. She followed where he searched and realized he looked up into the corners. She immediately knew what he searched for.

“There are no cameras in here,” Ellie informed him softly. “Security wanted to install them but I argued about the women’s privacy.”

Fury nodded and turned his attention to the sink next to her. He stripped off his gloves and tossed them onto the counter. He waved his hands under the faucet, activating it to turn on. As water started to flow he washed his hands then moved away to a paper napkin dispenser. Ellie watched him with raised eyebrows as he yanked fistfuls of brown paper towels out and piled them next to her on the counter. He completely emptied the dispenser and moved to the next one.

“I think that’s plenty.”

Fury frowned at her. He put the rest of the napkins down and stalked toward her in a graceful way that reminded her of a cat about to pounce. “Take your clothes off now.”

A gasp tore from her lips and she had to close her gaping mouth from the shock of his demand. “I won’t.”

He growled softly at her. “You’re covered in their stink and blood. I can’t tell what is yours and what is theirs. I’m going to wash you and find your injuries. If you can’t undress I’ll do it for you.”