Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“EVERYTHING” BY SMNM
LARK
The door at the end of the corridor opens later that day—luckily Aeron has his expensive Rolex watch on so we can at least tell how much time is passing.
I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse, although it makes me chuckle when Jude keeps asking him the time, and I can see the tic in Aeron’s jaw getting deeper.
Doc walks in, along with a couple of Soldiers.
My heart picks up pace as I shift in my seated position on the floor, my back leaning against the side wall.
It’s damp as fuck, but better than trying to hold myself upright, what with the agony my ribs are still in.
I’m tired and aching from getting dressed and moving around after Tarl ordered me to, in order to keep my lungs clear of any mucus.
Yeah, I’ve gone beyond gross at this point.
Don’t even get me started on what passes for a toilet in the corner; this place gives the Tailor dungeon a run for its money in the worst TripAdvisor review of all time.
“Good afternoon, Lark,” Doc says in his calm voice. The guy is old, maybe in his fifties, and I must admit that he’s pretty distinguished looking and could even be considered a silver fox. “How are you feeling?”
There’s a tightness around his eyes that I can see through his round glasses, and he doesn’t waste time taking the key from his waistcoat pocket—this dude is seriously old school—and unlocking my door.
He steps inside, not bothering to close the bars behind him, after all, where the fuck would I go?
The Soldiers wait in the walkway, not hiding the fact that they’re staring at me.
I can feel their lecherous gazes like something sticky sliding across my skin, and I’m doubly grateful for the clothes Doc left me yesterday.
“I’ve been better,” I tell him, wincing as I readjust my position, trying to avoid getting a numb ass. “My ribs hurt like a motherfucker and my cunt is pretty sore, but no signs of infection that I can tell.”
I know the drill and have done this with Doc before so I know what details he’s after and he doesn’t even bat an eyelid at my crude language.
One of the peons sniggers and Doc cuts him a sharp look, as do my guys, so he shuts up pretty quickly.
It’s then I notice the bags the Soldiers are carrying.
Doc just has his usual brown medical bag, clutched in his hands.
“What’s in the bags?”
Doc’s face smoothes a little, a slight smile on his lips.
“Ah, I told your father that you needed some things to help you recover fully if you’re to heal up properly.
” He tilts his head and the two Soldiers step into the cell, dumping the bags and then stepping out once more.
I don’t recognize either of them, so I assume they’re some of the new recruits.
Doc places his bag down, and takes one of the others, pulling out a pillow and blanket, both looking brand new and starkly clean against the grimy backdrop of my cage. My nose crinkles at the thought of how disgusting I am, and it’s only been two days.
“Thanks, Doc,” I say, not wanting to sound ungrateful as I reach for the items when he places them on the floor next to me.
“There are also some more clothes and some stew Maggie made,” he tells me, leaning in closer to whisper his next words. “There’s enough for the boys.”
Moisture stings my eyes, and I curse myself for being a weeper all of a sudden. I guess I should cut myself some slack given the shitshow of the last couple of days.
“Thank you, really.” My voice is thick, and I cough to clear my throat. He places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently as he pulls back again.
“I’ve also told Rufus that you need time to heal properly before—” he stops before finishing his sentence, but I know what he doesn’t say.
Before my father gives me to the newest recruits who’ve made corporals.
My stomach churns at the stark reminder of my future, but I just push it away along with all the other shit, to be dealt with by future Lark.
It’s harder when my gaze snags on the two Soldiers standing outside my bars, leering at me like salivating fucking dogs.
“He’s agreed until Friday. I’m sorry, that was the best I could do.
” Poor Doc’s shoulders round in and his forehead is deeply creased.
“It’s more than most here would do, Doc. So, thank you again.”
“Well, for now, let’s check you over. And I’d like to look at your stitches, make sure there is nothing untoward,” he tells me, back to business as he always is.
He spends the next several minutes checking me over, making sure that none of my other injuries are worse.
He changes the bandage on my side, one that covers the shallow stab wound Rufus gave me.
My sperm donor’s gifts have always been painful.
“You boys can leave now. My patient needs privacy for her other check,” Doc informs the Soldiers, his tone unyielding as he looks up from where I’m now lying on top of the blanket.
It’s a relief not to have the freezing concrete underneath me.
“But—'' one of them starts, but Doc cuts him off.
“Rufus put you under my charge, did he not? And he’ll be mighty annoyed if I go back not having checked her fully because you refused to follow orders.” Damn, this man is a little scary when he wants to be, and I can see the way he expertly manipulates the men.
“Let’s just go, Chad. It’s not worth our hides,” the other one says, grabbing his buddy and pulling him down the walkway. Yes, run along, Chad. Fucking douche name if ever I heard one.
As soon as the door is closed, my guys are at the bars.
“Patience, boys. Give it a minute to make sure the coast is clear.” Doc chuckles, an almost fond smile on his face as we wait.
What feels like eons later but is probably only a few minutes, Doc gets up and casually strolls over to the guys’ cage, taking out the key and unlocking it. No sooner is it open that they are all rushing over to my cell and my heart pitter-patters in my chest as they reach my side.
Aeron is the first there, unsurprisingly, and gently cradles my face in his hands, kneeling so he can press a kiss to my lips and I don’t have to try and get up.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you, Dove,” he murmurs against them, placing his forehead to mine as our eyes close and we breathe each other in.
“I’ve been here the whole time, just across from you,” I tell him, my voice a breathless whisper as my hands clutch his forearms, pulling him closer to me. The cool wall at my back disappears as his body heat engulfs me from the front.
“It’s too great a distance, Dove.”
I have to hold back the small sob at his sweet words. I never believed that I would be lucky enough to find someone to care for me like this. Let alone several someones.
“Move aside, big bro, Nightingale needs a kiss from her prince,” Jude states in a dramatic tone. I giggle as Aeron kisses me once more, pulling back to be replaced with Jude.
“Will you turn into a frog?” I question him, his grin infectious as he leans down and cups my face in his warm palm.
“Now come on, Nightingale. You know frogs have the best fun. You just have to dig a little deeper is all.” And I laugh at yet another of his Disney references when he kisses my smile as we press our lips together.
“I’ll be a frog with you any day, Baby Devil,” I tell him against his lush lips, breathing in his sweet sunshine scent. Sure, there’s the musk of a slightly unwashed man, but on Jude, it works and just makes me breathe deeper.
“Did you just sniff me, little broken bird?” he questions me, his tone laced with amusement as he pulls away just enough to look at me. Fuck, I missed having him so close, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement at me.
“Maybe I did, Baby Devil. Got a problem with that?”
“Nah, sniff away. It’s only fair as I keep a stock of your used panties under my pillow,” he replies, no shame and nothing to show that it’s not normal to steal your girlfriend’s underwear.
“I love you, Jude,” I reply, my voice soft and my hand stroking down the side of his face.
“I love you too, Nightingale.”
“My turn, Brat.” Tarl’s melodic voice washes over me, making me tingle all over.
“Yes, Sir,” Jude answers, placing another small kiss on my lips before moving to one side.
“Aziz-e delam,” Tarl breathes, dropping to my side, and immediately warmth surrounds me as he somehow embraces me, hurting none of my injuries.
He pulls back, his palm cupping my cheek like I’m the most precious thing in the fucking world to him.
My throat thickens with the intense look of longing and sadness in his mismatched eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper around the lump in my throat, my breath stuttering as I place my hands on his chest, ignoring the twinge of pain down my side.
“I know, Eshgham. I already forgave you,” he utters, his thumb stroking my cheek, reminding me that he knew something was up all along. “Just trust us to take care of you next time.” It’s not a question, more of a command, and I would expect no less from him.
“Yes, sir,” I sass back, loving the flare of heat that makes his eyes shine brighter, his gaze darting to my lips.
“Good girl.”
He presses another sweet kiss on my lips, pulling reluctantly away and stepping back to allow Knox to come forward.
My brow wrinkles at the sight of my beautiful Daddy, his face a painting of blues and purples.
A gasp leaves me as he grabs a fistful of my hair, uncaring that my scalp is still sore from Dean’s rough treatment.
But unlike with Dean, I’m not afraid with Knox, and my core even heats at the fierce possessiveness of the gesture.
He doesn’t pull me away from the wall, just holds me in his firm grip.
Doc makes a disgruntled noise but is shushed by one of the others as Knox’s hazel eyes burn into mine.