Page 16 of Healing Souls

He pauses and stares with wide eyes, taking me in from head to toe as I lay on the bed. Taking the opportunity, I can’t help but scan him as he stands there, tall and muscular wearing a tight-fighting t-shirt with dark jeans. His floppy curly hair is a mess on top of his head like he’s had no time to do anything with it. His green eyes are just as beautiful and bright as I remember.

A few more seconds pass before he blinks, clearing his throat and walking into the room, handing Ryker the water. With a small smile and awkward wave, he spins around and quickly walks out the door shutting it behind him.

Chuckling quietly, Ryker passes me the water, and I take tiny sips. It burns and feels amazing at the same time.

I glance over at Ryker again and try to talk. “Hi.” It comes out in a quiet croak. I watch as Rykers’ eyes widen as he stares at my mouth. It takes me a few seconds to realize why he looks so shocked…

“Oh… uh…” Fuck. What do I say?Hey, yeah, I could talk this entire time. Sorry I lied?

“So, you can talk? Were you able to at school? I have so many questions,” he quickly rushes out before taking a breath.

Shit. I can’t answer his questions.Make something up, Harley.“Um, I, yeah, I can talk. It’s uh, a long story… anyway, um, where am I? Who shot me? Where are they now?” I ask, remembering that I am in this position because I was taken down by a bullet.

He nods. “Oh shit, yeah, you’re still at the club. Just in a house behind it. I’m sure that the others would want to be here to explain about the guy who shot you. But you don’t have to worry about him. Everything will be okay, and you’re safe here.”

I stare at him, more questions swirling in my mind. I get why someone would shoot me, but what I don’t get is why these people aren’t all furious right now. But before either of us can say more, the door bursts open, and I tense and grip Ryker’s hand harder, my nails digging into his palm. I feel my breath coming faster and faster. My free hand grabs at my throat. It’s as if someone is choking me. Ryker squeezes my hand again as green eyes come into focus in front of me.

“Breathe with me.” He inhales. I inhale. We hold. Exhale. He repeats this over and over again as I follow it, keeping my eyes locked onto his. When my breathing calms, I relax the hand I had on my throat. Grayson smiles at me. “You’re okay. There are some people here, but I promise you’re safe.”

“Yeah, these assholes are my family. I’ll introduce you,” Ryker adds. I turn to look at him but get caught on the other people in the room, standing at the end of the bed.

Two of them. Giant men. My eyes go wide, staring at the one on the left. He’s huge.I know him. Sugar. I saw his picture, and I recognize him from Brielle as being my mom’s brother.

His arms are the size of my thighs. He has tattoos running up his arms, and I can see some on his neck that look like they slither down his chest. He has a short beard and cropped brown hair. Even his eyes are the same as my mom and I. Hazel. His hair has a red tint to it, but you can barely tell.

He’s intimidating. I don’t know if I should just shout out,Hey, turns out I’m your niece. Or whether I should keep that to myself… The guy standing next to him that I haven’t looked at yet clears his throat. My eyes snap over, and he nods at me. He’s… wow, he’s pretty. Picture-perfect pretty with his dirty blond hair pulled back into a slick bun and large blue eyes. His jawline is sharp, and everything about him is absolutely perfect. I can’t imagine he has one single flaw.

He speaks softly, “I see you already know who this is.” He inclines his head towards Sugar. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet with so much going on. Why don’t you?” He offers me a kind smile. I don’t remember him from my research, but his name on his vest thing says Nerds, and it sounds familiar.

I glance back over at Sugar to see him looking between Nerds and I with furrowed brows. Someone squeezes my hand, and I glance down at Ryker, who is still focused on me.

“What’s going on?” he asks, tilting his head as he studies me.

Do I really do this? What if he freaks out like Tammy did? She’s my aunt. Well, not blood related, I guess. But… can I risk that again? I got lucky with Brielle, but she’s not related to me. It seems people I think are related to me are the problem…

Sugar must be tired of waiting, because he turns towards Nerds. “What the hell are ya talkin’ about? Tell me what?”

Nerds completely ignores him and acts like it’s not a big deal, as he keeps his eyes focused on me. When I bring my gaze to his again, I let him see my fear. I don’t quite understand why I do, but something tells me he understands.

“It’s okay. I see the questions swirling around. The only way to get answers is to step over the ledge, even if it’s the scariest thing you’ve done. I’ve had to do it myself. It might just turn out better than you think it will.” He gives me a sad smile.

I can see the pain in his eyes which so intricately matches mine. It helps me to inhale before opening my mouth. This isn’t the scariest thing I’ve done. Not by a long shot. I can do this.You’re not that weak girl anymore, Harley.

“Lilian, my mom. She found out that you and her have the same dad,” I say while keeping my eyes on Sugar, watching for any signs of anger.

“Wh—” He clears his throat. “Sorry, what?” He glances at Nerds, silently asking him a million questions.

Nerds nods at him. “I don’t have all the details, and I still have a lot to look into. But one of the things I found out that I hadn’t had a chance to share yet was that you and Lilian share the same father. It’s on her real birth certificate.”

Sugar’s eyes snap to mine, and he stares at me slack-jawed. I swear it feels like an hour but is only about ten seconds before his face morphs into a huge fucking grin. Ryker squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back.

I look over at him and he grins, saying, “Looks like you’re really not going anywhere now.” I feel like that should scare me… It does. But it also doesn’t.

I hear a smack and flinch slightly before realizing it was Nerds hitting Ryker on the back of the head at the same time Grayson mumbles, “Shut up.”

Surprising everyone, including me, another small giggle slips past my lips.

Everyone seems shocked but then quickly recovers. Sugar glances around like he has a million questions and things he wants to say. The giant man doesn’t seem all that intimidating now. He just seems more like a giant teddy bear.

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