Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,93
have died?”
The limits of the human body can be extended by the strength of the spirit, but even that is not infallible. The cat’s ears flicked back and forth. I would have held onto you for as long I could have managed. But there was no need.
“Because Reaper was there, thanks to Daren.” My fingers nervously curled and extended over the sheets. “He’s not going to let Shadow get away with this. I’m worried, Freyja.”
It felt wrong to feel worried. Shadow did attack me. I’d never felt so scared in my life and the roiling, sickening feeling in my gut was as strong as ever. If it were any other man who hurt me after spending the night together, there would be no questions. I’d let my men dole out whatever grueling punishment they saw fit. I’d happily never see the man again.
But this was Shadow. I felt guilty for feeling so afraid of him, and then gut-wrenching confusion about the guilt.
It was a simple mistake. One with terrible, painful consequences, but I’d bet my life he never would have raised a finger to harm me in his right mind. Wrapped up in each other that night, his sleeping pills were the furthest thing from my mind, and most likely his as well.
I turned over every moment of our evening in my mind. His touches had been so hesitant before they were confident, and even then, he made sure to be careful with me. None of that lined up with the cold, aggressive man who assaulted me.
“I still want to help him heal,” I said to Freyja. “It’ll have to be different, but we can make it happen. I know we can.”
A soft knock rapped at my room door, and I looked up to see Reaper and Gunner shouldering their way in.
“There she is,” Reaper said softly. “Looking a lot better already.”
“Brought you these.” Gunner produced the bouquet of flowers from behind his back with a lopsided smile. Red and golden sunflowers immediately brightened up the drab hospital room.
“Thank you, Gun.” I beamed up at them. “I’ll have Rhonda find a vase for them.”
“You sound so much stronger too.” Reaper leaned over the bed to kiss me, scratching Freyja as he pulled back. “Guess that’s thanks to you, huh?”
The cat closed her eyes with a proud purr as Reaper moved aside so Gunner could kiss me.
“How are you, baby girl?” Gunner pulled a chair up next to my bed, blue eyes wide and searching my face, and I knew he didn’t mean just physically.
“I’m…okay. Still kind of shaken, I guess.”
He nodded, taking one of my hands to kiss. “We’re never letting this happen to you again.”
I swallowed, not wanting to argue with my men when they were only concerned and eager to take care of me.
“Where’s Jandro?”
Gunner let out a disdainful scoff, dropping my hand. “With him.”
Reaper focused his gaze on me, not missing a single breath or twitch of my face. So much for not arguing. It seemed we’d be continuing our conversation where we left off.
“Where—” I swallowed, clearing my still-sore throat. “Where are you keeping him?”
“Contained,” Reaper said flatly.
“And what will you do?”
Gunner took both of my hands, moving to sit next to me on my bed since I still couldn’t turn my head to face him. “Mari…you have to understand, there’s only one option, right?”
“What, kill him?” My eyes darted between his and Reaper’s. I knew in my gut that was their answer to this, but I needed to hear it from them.
“It’s not up for discussion.” Reaper’s voice was flat and emotionless. “I’ll take no pleasure in doing it, but it has to be done.”
“Reaper, you can’t!” I pulled away from Gunner’s hands to reach for his. “Love, please listen to me. He needs help.”
“I don’t give a fuck what he needs,” he growled between his teeth. “Shadow had his chance to be with you and fucked it up beyond all repair. He already doesn’t deserve the privilege of breathing right now.”
“It was an accident!” I cried.
“Baby girl.” Gunner stared at me, his voice low in an attempt to be calming. “It sucks what he’s been through, yes. But there has to be consequences for what he did to you.”
“Okay, I agree with that, but killing him is not the answer!” I grabbed for his arm. “Please listen to me, Gun. You know Shadow wouldn’t hurt anyone, you both know that.”
“He did!” Reaper yelled, so loud that he made the windows rattle in their panes.