Chapter 4
Phoenyxx
I open my eyes to Valley grinning at me. She's snuggled into Bryan's side, looking happier than ever.
I smile back. “Hey, besties.”
She squeals, leaning in to hug me softly. Bryan hugs me too. “I’m soooo sorry I haven’t been right by your side. I've been reuniting with my Bry; plus competing with your gazillion guys.”
“Aw, Val—it's totally fine. I’m bursting with happiness for you both.”
“You’re the best.” Valley’s smile is so wide, it almost reaches her ears.
“So, how are you feeling?” Bryan asks me.
“Well, I’ve been better; been worse. It hurts like hell, not going to lie. But I’m still here, and we're all together. I’ll heal. No worries, okay?”
“Good to hear. I really feel we bonded inside of that, um, place. I know you tried to help me; I was just completely broken. Just know it meant the world to me that you were there for me.” Sincerity washes over his face, making me a bit emotional.
“Fuck, Bryan, thank you for saying that. I was so detached; I actually feel guilty I didn’t do more for you.”
“Well don’t. You're a great friend, Phoenyxx,” he insists.
I turn that over in my mind. I wonder if he told Valley about the forced sex between us? God—now that I feel tremendous guilt over.
“Hey, Nyx,” Val says softly. She gently touches my chin so I’m looking in her eyes. “Bryan told me what those disgusting assbags made you do. It's okay. I'm not mad. It wasn't either of your faults.”
I start to cry, absolutely humbled by this girl and her indestructible spirit. We all shed some tears, but the love between us all sustains me. Damn, I’m a lucky bitch.
We get interrupted by Cynthia’s approach. “I heard you. I want to be your besties, too, okay? Yep, yep, besties.” She gets a faraway look on her face, then says, “What they made us do in there was bad, like really bad. They are gross assholes. I am so happy no one’s mad.”
I smile, as does Valley and Bryan. Valley opens her arms to Cynthia. “Get in this group hug. You're one of us. Friends forever.”
Tears mist Cynthia’s eyes, and she laughs softly as she joins us.
Hunter clears his throat from his bed. “You are all amazing people. Thank you for accepting my sister.”
Fuck.
More tears clog my throat. “I love you so much, Hunter.”
“Ditto, Pretty Girl.”
Synn
We've been in this clinic for two long weeks, and it is finally time to leave.
Everyone is rushing around, getting shit ready for my Pazessca and Harris.
The Doctor already handed us a large bag full of tape and dressing for their wounds, a couple of cleaners and ointments, and even some vitamins and drinks with electrolytes for them both.
We have strict instructions to watch them and change their bandages once a day. No showers for them for a while.
Jax strolls up while we’re all huddled up, waiting on the Doctor to tell us they’re ready to go. We're all here outside the door.
“I’ll get the car pulled up and ready. Hand me that bag, Synn,” Jax tells me.
I hand it over just as the Doc comes out. “They’re ready to go.” He turns back to Pazessca and Harris. “Don’t push yourselves. Rest and heal.”
Harris stands, slowly making his way over to me and the rest of The Six, 3, Valley, and Bryan; his sister steadying him with a hand on his back. I'm the first one to reach Pazessca, scooping her up into my arms.
“I can walk, Synn,” she says in mild annoyance.
“Why would I let you do that? Prepared to be pampered like never before, Baby Girl.” My grin meets my eyes, for once.
The guys all reinforce my words.
I carry Pazessca to the door, getting ready to bring her directly to Jax’s waiting car.
3 stops me, crossing his arms. He just stares at me.
“What?” I ask, in exasperation.
He grunts, prodding at Pazessca. “No, I’ve got her.”
3 growls, prodding her, then me, even more forcefully.
“For fuck’s sake. You can sit beside her in the car, okay? I promise you—I won’t let her fall.”
3 nods once, tailing me so closely it’s ridiculous. He's way too protective. This is going to have to be handled once we’re settled. He’s not joining our special relationship.
I make it to the car, putting Pazessca down gently and buckling her in. As I back out, 3 shoves me out of the way, shooting in next to her.
“3,” she giggles.
“Bro,” Trikk grumbles, and the others say shit under their breaths.
“Come on, it’s an hour drive,” Jax urges.
We all climb in. I manage to get onto Pazessca’s other side, with Ghost practically up my ass so he can touch her. Valley and Bryan get up in front next to Jax. Harris and his sister are in the seats in front of us. Purge, Frost, and Razor are right behind us.
Frost curses under his breath. “I would love a turn, you possessive assholes.”
I just smirk. “If you snooze, you lose.”
Everyone cracks up at that. Even the asshole of the group gets to be funny sometimes.
We are finally on our way.
An hour to kill.
I'll just touch and love on my girl until we get back to the compound.
Frost
I'm restless as fuck. Looking forward to getting to the compound, I can’t wait to steal time with my Killer. I haven’t had any opportunity to get much time with her in the Doctor’s office.
I'm so thankful she’s okay. She is healing, at least physically. I can see the emotional pain in her face, though. And I still keenly recognize emotions in the others.
It's understandable; the poor girl has been through the wringer for so long, she doesn’t even know anything else. I'm going to do my best to change that.
I drum my fingers on the seat in front of me, eyes glued to Killer’s back. Almost as if she senses my stare, she turns, flashing me a brilliant smile.
“I’ll spend time with you when we get settled,” Killer tosses back, an apology in her voice.
I smile back and nod. “Love you,” I mouth, and the love shining back in her eyes goes a long way to fortify me for this drive.
Purge
I’m just as unsettled as Razor next to me, his hand fumbling with his razor blade.
Fuck... my fucking father. He runs The Retreat. How the fuck did I not notice? I knew he hated me, but he tried to fucking kill me.
I’m sure I’ll be safe inside the ZYGOS compound. But if I leave there, he’ll find me, and finish what he started. I'm more afraid for Iskra. He's not above using her to get to me.
I still don’t know why our fathers were so dead set in us breaking her. If my unconfirmed theory is correct... well, it might explain it.
My fingers are itching to get on a computer. Harris told me the compound had computer labs, thank fuck. The other hackers sound cool enough; I'm sure we’ll get along, at least civilly.
I need answers, now. Fuck. Where are our mothers? Plus, the rest of the damn secrets we don’t know.
I also have to talk to Iskra. She needs to know who she is.
I'm not saying anything until I get confirmation, but I sure as shit won’t hit her with heavy news while she’s healing from a damn gunshot wound.
So much shit... I grind my teeth, stirring in my seat.
“You alright, man?” Razor asks, side-eyeing me.
“As alright as I can be. I just need this shit over,” I sigh.
“I feel you. I want all those fucking sperm donors dead in the ground,” Razor says with passion.
“Ditto, brother.”
Razor
I'm worried about Purge. With all the shit that happened, it’s gone unnoticed or unacknowledged that his father wanted to kill him.
I’m still reeling that the Russian fucker runs The Retreat. He’s responsible for The Morgue, and everything that happens in it. For what Fiasca had to endure. He will pay with his life. Along with the other fathers—including mine.
I try to settle in for the ride, but it’s hard with everything going on.
My eyes burn lasers into Fiasca’s back. I need her. I almost lost her—and I had just started falling for her. I need her to fall right back.
And the fuck are we going to do about 3? That dude is super fucked up. I do feel bad for him, but he has it stuck in his head that Fiasca is his to claim. Nope. There is no way I’ll accept him as one of us. He's going to need to be put in his place. It's on my list for after we get to the compound.
I snort softly to myself.
Hopefully we get there soon. I need to hold my damn girl.