Page 171 of Colt

“Nah.” Cash gestured for her to come inside the room. “We’re done. Just talkin’ about your next steps with Colt.”

The door opened wider, and she walked inside the room, making a beeline straight for Cash who tugged her by the hand until she fell in his lap. “How you holdin’ up, Sis?” he asked gently.

She burrowed into him. “I’m okay. Just glad it’s over and we can leave as soon as Colt can drive without being in pain.”

“It’ll blow over,” Breaker assured her with more confidence in his voice than I felt.

“I’m past caring” she declared. “I don’t want anything to do with Dad anymore. He went too far this time. I’m sick of his weird, controlling behavior. I’ve put up with it for years, but no more. Even if he turned up here now full of apologies, I’d tell him to go to hell.”

Atlas’s lips twitched. “You’re Adele’s daughter alright. Scary as fuck when you get a bee in your bonnet.”

Freya shot him a knowing smile. “Yeah. I am. She’ll be here in the next couple of days and Dad won’t know what’s hit him.”

“I think he’s already got an idea,” Breaker rumbled. “I was there when she called him this mornin’ after speaking to you. Let’s just say she screamed at him so loudly I’m surprised she didn’t burst his eardrum.”

I couldn’t help chuckling quietly at the glee in Freya’s voice. When Adele got involved, she was like a force of nature—totally unpredictable and completely unstoppable.

Freya rose from her brother’s lap and sunk down on my bed next to me. “How you feeling, honey?”

I took her hand, entwining our fingers together. “Let’s just say the drugs are workin’ great. Shame they’re gonna start weaning me off ‘em tomorrow.”

“It means you’re healing,” she murmured reassuringly, sweeping my hair back from my face. “You’ll be out of here in a day or two. We’ll stay at the gallery for a couple of days while you build your strength up, then we’ll jet.”

I nodded, almost mesmerized by her beauty. Her long, dark hair was loose with its natural curl at the ends. I lifted my hand, catching a lock between my fingers. “Okay, baby.”

The door creaked open again and Sophie strolled in. “How’s my patient feeling this evening?” she asked cheerfully, picking up my chart and reading the notes.

“Okay,” I replied. “Doctor Chen told me you’ll probably start reducing the pain meds tomorrow.”

Sophie nodded, eyes still on my chart. “Yeah. Your pain level should decrease drastically. The stuff you’re on is highly addictive so we try to reduce it as quickly as possible. We’ll take you off all meds in the morning and assess your pain levels so we can decide the best course of treatment.” She put my chart back. “But I’m very pleased with your progress.”

“You can’t keep a Demon down for long,” Atlas muttered, eyeing his wife up carefully. “You ready to leave work now?”

She sent him a nod and a smile. “Yeah. I just wanted to check on Colt before I left. I’m ready when you are.”

Atlas stood from his chair giving us all chin lifts before holding his arm out for Sophie and heading for the door. “Night, boys. Don’t do anythin’ I wouldn’t.” He ushered his wife through to the hallway and disappeared, clicking the door shut softly behind him.

“I think that’s our cue to leave too,” Cash muttered, getting to his feet, followed by Breaker. He clasped a hand to my shoulder before disappearing with a wave, his brother hot on his heels.

“Was it something I said?” Freya murmured as the door closed behind them, leaving just us in the room.

I grinned, pulling her to lay down on the bed next to me, my arm sliding across her shoulders. “They’ve got women and kids to get home to.”

Freya sighed contentedly, snuggling her face into my chest. “Yeah. I know.”

My fingers trailed up and down her back. “Can’t believe we’re leaving in a few days.”

She lifted her face to gaze at me. “It’s the end of an era but the start of the rest of our lives.”

The corner of my mouth tipped up. “That’s a nice way to put it.”

“I can’t wait for us to start living together properly,” she whispered. “No more hiding. We can be a real couple at last.”

Drawing her hand up to my mouth, I kissed her knuckles. “I don’t deserve you, baby.”

Our eyes locked and she leaned down to peck my lips. “You do. We deserve each other and all the goodness between us.”

My throat tightened with emotion.

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