8. Kara
8
KARA
T he next morning, before the sun rose, I packed a bag with a handful of belongings I knew I’d probably never see again once I was inside Ethereal Eden’s gates. But I put in some of the clothes Hawk had bought me when I’d first arrived, some body lotion I’d come to love, and my hospital ID. I tucked a photo Hayden had printed of me and Hayley Jade into my pocket, wanting it close. If by some miracle they weren’t all confiscated, they’d be all I’d have to remember this time on the outside.
I’d already been through this once before. When I’d left Saint View last time, all I’d had was memories to keep me going.
Those had never faded. I hadn’t let them. I’d lived in my head more than I’d lived in the real world. Until I could find some proof that would put Josiah away for what he’d done to my sister, then I would do it again.
It was still dark when I snuck outside and lifted the cover on Hayden’s truck. I pushed my bag in, fitting the tough black fabric back in place and hoped he wouldn’t have some reason to check the back before we left for Sinners.
I hurried back inside, right as Hawk wandered out of his room, rubbing at his eyes sleepily. He stretched so his T-shirt rode up, giving me a flash of his perfect abs. “Where were you?”
I had to fight to keep the drool in my mouth. “Just went outside to watch the sun come up. It’s pretty.” That part wasn’t a lie. The sunrises here were my favorite. They’d been the one thing I loved about Ethereal Eden, watching the sun rise and splash the fields in pinks and golds.
But the sun peeking between the trees here at the Slayers’ compound was better. Sitting outside with a warm cup of tea with the air fresh and cool around me and knowing my family was safe and happy inside the walls was my new favorite.
It nearly broke me realizing I didn’t know when or if I’d ever get to see it again. I suddenly wished I’d stood out there every morning. Regretted all the sleep-ins I should have forfeited just to see the sun.
Hawk flopped down on the couch, looking like he was going to nod off again. But Hayden came out of the kitchen, startling both of us.
I put my hand over my heart; it beat too fast with panic he might have seen me slip outside. “I didn’t know you were awake.”
He shoved Hawk’s feet off the couch and sat next to him. “I’ve got a million things to do before tonight. But I wanted to talk to you about something.” His gaze focused on me. “I think we should talk to Hayley Jade’s teachers about going into her classroom one day a week and teaching the kids to sign.”
I blinked. “Really?”
He nodded. “Obviously, I’m not an expert, but we’ve all picked up the basics. Kids learn so quickly, and I think it would be really good for all of them. What do you think?”
I loved he wanted to give up his time to make Hayley Jade’s life a little better. “I think it’s a great idea.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So if they okay it, you’ll run the class with me?”
My mouth dried at having to tell yet another lie. But they were both staring at me, waiting for a response. I had no choice but to nod.
Hayden clapped his hands and pushed to his feet. “Great. I’ll call the school about it on Monday then. I’ll see the two of you over at Sinners this afternoon.”
Hawk waved a sleepy hand in his direction, and Hayden squeezed the back of my neck on his way past me. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” But my voice got lost in the sound of the door shutting behind him.
I frowned, but then Hayley Jade was tumbling out of her room and needing breakfast, and the day quickly filled up with tasks that needed to be taken care of before we left to go set up the restaurant.
Hawk and I dropped Hayley Jade off at Rebel’s place, where she was spending the afternoon. We’d determined that this party would be child friendly, at least for the first few hours, despite where it was being held. The doors to the maze would be securely locked when kids were in attendance, and I’d be double-checking them myself.
But Hawk had wanted Hayley Jade there, and War had wanted his kids as well. Hayley Jade was going to meet us at the party, driven in with Rebel and her family.
When we got to Sinners, Grayson’s car was already parked outside, right next to Hayden’s.
Hayden had closed the entire restaurant for the night, but we ignored the sign and let ourselves in, finding Grayson manning a vacuum. He turned it off as I wandered over, and he pulled out headphones I hadn’t even noticed him wearing. He stopped in front of me. “I have news for you. Both of you, actually.”
Hawk raised an eyebrow. “Backing out of our foursome tonight? That’s not news. We all knew you’d chicken out.”
I gaped at Hawk and elbowed him sharply. “Stop it. He doesn’t have to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
What was I even saying? There wasn’t going to be a foursome. At least not with me in it.
The thought of the three of them being mad enough at my leaving to have a foursome with someone else left me feeling sick.
But that’s what would happen when I left, wouldn’t it? If they read the notes I’d left back in my room and did as I asked, I could be back at Ethereal Eden for months. Years. I had no idea how long it would take to find the evidence I needed.
They’d move on with their lives.
They were smart, attractive men who would have no shortage of women to pick from once I was gone. My stomach rolled at the thought.
Grayson pointed the vacuum at Hawk. “Nice try, but that was not what I was going to say. What I wanted to tell you both was I got a phone call last night, offering both of you a paid position at the hospital.”
My mouth dropped open. “What do you mean? I’m not qualified for anything. Why would they pay me?”
Grayson grinned. “Willa and I have been talking with the hospital board about a sort of paid apprenticeship. You’d study to get your nursing degree—” He glanced at Hawk. “Or your EMT and paramedic qualifications, while getting hands-on experience at the hospital on the days you aren’t studying. It’ll take a little longer for you to complete your degrees but is more fitting for adults who can’t afford to go for long stretches without being paid.” He grinned. “All while the hospital gets slave labor!” He winked. “Okay, cheaper labor.”
“You serious?” Hawk asked. “You actually want to pay us? For what we’re already doing for free? How did you sell that to the hospital board?”
“By telling them you’re a special snowflake.”
Hawk flipped him the bird.
Grayson chuckled and leaned on the Hoover. “We need more staff. You’ve seen how it is down there. And you two actually are special, in that you give a huge amount of your time. But most people can’t do that. And the thing is, we want to keep you, and we know we won’t be able to if we don’t start paying you at some point. The volunteer program never worked. What Willa and I need it to be is an entry position into the medical field. We’ve known that for a long time. We just didn’t make it a priority to get it approved until we had the two of you.” He glanced back and forth between us, his eyes brightly shining with excitement. “So? Are you in?”
Hawk’s smile widened, zero hesitation in his voice. “Yeah. I’m in. Absolutely.”
I wanted to cry with frustration. Why now? Why did everything have to fall into place when it was just inches out of my grasp? “It’s an amazing offer,” I hedged.
But that clearly wasn’t enough for Grayson. His gaze felt like it burned right through me in the same way Hayden’s had earlier. “An offer you’re going to accept, right? If it’s not what you want, I’ll go back to the board—”
“It is!” I blurted the truth out like my lips couldn’t contain the words. “What you and Willa have done for us is amazing.”
Grayson was like a dog with a bone. “So you’ll come in on Monday and we’ll talk through the details? Sign contracts? You’ll need to get your GED so you can enroll in the other courses you’ll need to complete, but that was already the plan anyway.”
They were both looking to me for an answer. Guilt swirled in my gut, but there was nothing else I could say. I nodded weakly, knowing I’d have to lie again. “Okay.”
“We’ll be the three amigos permanently!” Grayson said gleefully.
Hawk screwed up his face. “Please don’t ever call us that.”
Grayson sobered. “Fair enough.”
“And if you make me a celebratory glove balloon animal, I’m quitting. I hate those things.”
“Noted.” He glanced at me. “Any special requests from you?”
“No. Just…thank you.” It was the very least I could say. I really hoped they found someone else to take my spot.
Hawk and I made our way to the kitchen where Hayden and two of his staff members busily bustled around, preparing various types of food for the party tonight. Trays filled with the beginnings of sliders, potatoes being peeled and chopped up for I had no idea what, and chicken wings marinating in a dark sauce.
He looked up when we entered, and relief washed over his face. “More hands. Excellent. Can you both set tables? I’ll show you where everything is.”
He wiped his fingers on his apron and led us to the ma?tre d’ standing desk and knelt to open a cupboard not visible from the customer side. “Tablecloths are in here. Cutlery and anything else you might need should be behind the bar. If you need—”
The front door swung open.
Four older men walked in like they owned the place, not even acknowledging that we were standing there.
“Uh, guys?” Hayden called. “We’re closed right now.”
A fifth man, younger than the others, followed them in. One I unfortunately recognized.
Luca clapped his hand against Hayden’s cheek. “Not closed anymore. Get someone to bring us menus, yeah? The guys and I have some business to take care of.”
Hayden grabbed his arm, not letting him pass. “No. Not here. Not now. I’m preparing for a private party. I told you we were closed today.”
Hawk silently moved himself into position at Hayden’s back. While simultaneously putting himself between me and Luca’s friends. His muscles tensed, clearly preparing for a fight.
Luca darted a peek at the table full of older men, then lowered his voice so it wouldn’t be heard above their shouts and laughter. “Look, I’m going to be straight with you. I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here. But my father and his friends don’t ask permission, and they’re all carrying. Are the two of you? You really want to turn this into a thing? Or do you want to just serve us some food and some drinks so you all can go on with your party and I can be anywhere else?”
Hawk glanced over at the table and sighed. “He’s not lying. I count three guns, and that’s only the ones that are visible.”
Luca cracked his neck to one side, his agitation clear. “Please, Hayden.”
I blinked in surprise. Luca didn’t strike me as the sort of person who ever asked for anything nicely.
Hayden shook his head, and his teeth mashed together. But his eyes softened just a little. “An hour. One. You’ll get fed and have a drink and then you’ll leave well before any of my guests get here tonight.”
Luca nodded. “I promise. Thank you.” He went to sit with his father and the older man’s friends.
The one to Luca’s left, who I suspected might have been his father or at least an uncle, as there was a strong family resemblance, tapped his hand on the tabletop. “What kinda place do you have here, Luca? We can’t get no menus?”
Luca shot Hayden a pleading glance.
“I’ve never seen Guerra this rattled,” Hawk mumbled.
Hayden sighed heavily. “I don’t even have any of the waitstaff or the bartenders here until five.”
Hawk pressed his mouth into a grim line. “I’ll do it.”
“Me too,” I said quickly.
“No,” all three men said in unison.
I rolled my eyes.
“I worked my way through med school at a bar,” Gray offered.
Hayden didn’t look happy about it. “This probably won’t end well.”
“Probably not,” Hawk agreed. “But what choice do you have?”
None. We all knew it. What Luca wanted; Luca got.
And he very firmly had Hayden in a spot none of us knew how to get him out of.