Hades
Fifty-Four
Widow was a fucking cunt. If I was a selfish bitch, I would find Rory, take her away to the woods, and live out a cottagecore lesbian fantasy.
I didn’t understand how Rory was so fucking in love with her, but that wasn’t my concern right now.
They threw me in the back of Vesper’s Escalade with my hands cuffed.
Anger coiled tight in my chest, pushing my fear down.
I was terrified and livid with the entire situation, but the moment Widow implied that this man touched Rory while she was unconscious, my rage skyrocketed.
They could all kiss my ass; I was staying in Briarwood. Everyone could kick rocks and bicker like children. My girl needed me, and I would be here for her. Rory was hurt, she’d been assaulted. If they tried to push me out or deny me access, I would cause a goddamn scene.
Vesper and Widow were conversing in the front, acting like I wasn’t here, but I’d rather gather whatever information I could in silence than argue with them.
Right now, all I wanted was Rory. I needed to make sure she was safe, tucked into my chest as she listened to my heartbeat.
When I found this asshole—and I would find him—he would regret ever coming back into Rory’s life.
He would pray to his God for a merciful death, but I’d send him to the pits of hell in pieces.
When we pulled up to the hospital, they lingered in the vehicle longer than I liked.
I wanted to get to my girl. They were talking about her room, though, so I paid close attention.
Second floor. Widow had been the only one to see her since she was admitted into the facility.
I needed to see her face and kiss her. She needed to know I was here, that I refused to leave her.
Vesper opened the door and grabbed my hands, pulling me out of the vehicle and pressing me against the car.
If I wasn’t pissed off, I might get turned on.
She took her time removing the cuffs, but once the metal was off, I bolted into the building.
I heard Widow curse under her breath, but I was through the glass doors before they could process anything.
I beelined for the staircase, taking two at a time before I got to the second floor.
My body was moving on pure adrenaline and desperation.
I stopped at the nurses’ station, asking what room she was in before bolting towards the end of the hallway.
My knuckles hit the door to give her a warning before I pushed it open.
Rory’s face lit up when she saw me and attempted to scramble out of the bed, but she winced in pain.
I cautiously wrapped my arms around her as she squeezed me tight. Rory grabbed my face and slammed her lips to mine in a sweltering kiss before it was interrupted by Widow and Vesper. These two just loved pissing me off.
“How are you here?” Rory asked, out of breath.
“You didn’t show up and I got worried. So I came here to find you.”
She looked at the other two women she loved with a raised eyebrow. “They didn’t shoot you?” she asked with surprise.
I smirked, giving them a taunting look. Widow’s eyes narrowed in on me like a vulture waiting to devour my corpse, but Vesper was eyeing me…in a different way.
“I think they’re waiting for you to make the move.” I leaned down, my lips grazing her cheek. “They’re mad because you’re falling for the enemy, and there is nothing they can do about it.”
Widow shifted, her patience razor-thin. The tension radiating off her was thick. Vesper, on the other hand, was watching our interaction intensely, waiting for someone to do something. “Are you staying here?” Rory asked.
“Of course I am.” My fingers slipped through her hair, careful of the injury. I missed this feeling. “My only concern is you. I don’t know what happened, but I know my dad is not a part of it, even if she thinks he is.”
“Your dad is a Devil,” Widow spat, poison coating her words.
“And you’re a Viper,” I fired back. “Last I checked, only one was venomous. Maybe if you stopped letting anger cloud your judgment and used your head, people wouldn’t get hurt.”
Rory grabbed my hand, squeezing slightly which pulled me away from the daggers Widow and I were aiming at each other.
“Stop arguing. I don’t care about anything else right now.
” She pointed to Widow then Vesper. “We need her help regardless of whatever problems you might have. We need to find Cinder.”
Widow’s face softened. “I’m trying.”
“Arguing isn’t helping. Fight some other time, I don’t want to hear it.” Rory finally laid back down. “I want her back home.”
I looked at them both. If playing nice would make her happy, then I could plaster a smile on my face. I wasn’t the one with the attitude, after all. “I can help. Whatever you need.”
Widow ignored me, speaking to Rory instead. “I’m going to see Melisa. We’re going to find her, I promise.” And with that, she left the room.
I walked towards the door and grabbed her chart.
My doctor instincts were kicking in, and I wanted to know what I needed to do to help her heal.
Broken ribs, ankle laceration, head injury.
There was road rash and other scrapes and bruises on her that I would tend to as well.
“How are you?” It was a dumb question, but a genuine one.
Rory turned in the bed, and I adjusted myself to make sure she was comfortable as I watched Vesper walk to the chair in the corner. “I want to get out of this hospital and take another shower. I want things to go back to how they were before.”
“So you want to go back to sneaking into Crestview and being with me?” I waggled my brows, which made her laugh. That right there was my favorite sound.
She threaded her fingers with mine. “Yes, I’m starting to regret not waking up with you, naked and tangled in your sheets.”
“We have all the time in the world.” Just as I was about to kiss her, my phone ripped through the moment as my dad’s ringtone filled the room. He knew exactly where I was. “Hi, Dad.”
“Haven Mykel Morningstar, why the fuck are you in Viper territory?”
I rolled my eyes. He knew I hated my government name being used on me.
Only I could pull that shit. “I’m with your future daughter-in-law.
You should know her, she’s your enemy's hot sister.” With a sly glance, I winked at her.
“She was attacked, so I’m not leaving her.
I am fine, don’t worry, nothing will happen to me.
I’ll come home to see a few patients, but I am staying here until she’s okay. ”
The line was silent as I glanced between Rory and Vesper.
I knew my dad’s reaction would be the same.
He was probably in his office trying to process what I just said and to make sure I actually said it.
Was it a bold statement? Absolutely. But I was always told to chase what I wanted, and what I wanted was a sassy, gorgeous woman who just happened to be my club’s sworn enemy.
“Anyway, bye Dad. I love you and I am fine.” I hung up before he could say anything else, but I knew to expect a swarm of messages. Rory’s mouth was slightly agape. “What?”
“Daughter-in-law?” she questioned.
“Did I stutter?” I quipped. “Not anytime soon, but it’ll happen. I know what I want.” This woman stole my heart and enemies or not, I would continue to be by her side even if it destroyed me.