Page 27 of The Devil's Redemption

Fantastic.

I take as deep of a breath as I can before my bruised ribs cry in protest.

Looking at her watch, Ellie speaks again. “Nearly time for the lunch rush. I’ll be back with your soup as soon as it dies down.”

“Thank you,” I utter as she gently squeezes my hand and walks out the door.

The last thing I need is for the town to think the Skull had anything to do with my abduction. I’ll make sure to set the record straight about them while also trying to minimize people’s reactions. I don’t want their sympathy, but more than that, I don’t want them knowing what really happened.

With Ellie gone, that only leaves Steve, and he takes the seat that Ellie just vacated. He reaches for my hand but thinks better of it and drops his arm back into his lap.

“It’s okay,” I advise him, moving my hand closer to the edge of the bed.

Steve wraps his warm hand around mine and rests his forehead on his knuckles for a moment. When he lifts his head again, my heart breaks upon seeing his red-rimmed, broken stare.

“Sasha, I’m so sorry for what happened to you. I wish I could go back and do something to change it.”

“I know,” I tell him. “Blade told me what you did. How you helped them. Thank you so much, Steve.”

“When I saw Blade carrying you out of that cellar…” his voice trails off. “He covered you with his shirt, but just seeing your face, arms, and legs was more than enough to tear me apart.”

My heart warms, finding out that Blade took the time to cover me up even when the danger of getting killed was so great.

“I’m just glad you guys were able to work together instead of trying to kill each other,” I joke, trying to offer a sliver of light in the conversation. “I heard you even have your very own nickname now? Boy Scout.”

I smile when a gentle laugh escapes his lips.

“I know how much he cares about you now. I’m so sorry the drama I created led to you being taken.”

“Steve, that wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t Blade’s fault. It wasn’t my fault. If anything, it was Michael’s fault.”

He looks at me quizzically.

“Michael made a deal with Jasper. To trade me as payment for money he owed.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Steve stands, anger apparent in his words and actions. “You know, if he wasn’t already dead, I would kill him myself.”

I laugh softly, earning a confused look from Steve.

“You and Blade are more alike than you think,” I manage to get out before a yawn escapes me. “He said the exact same thing.”

When I yawn, Steve walks back to my bedside and takes my hand in his again.

“Why don’t you get some sleep. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay,” I smile.

With a final kiss on my forehead, Steve exits my room.

I lay there for a while, trying to fall asleep, but soon I’m distracted by a deep voice coming from the room on the other side of the infirmary. Is Maggie awake? Or is Hawk in there with someone else? I wouldn’t think so, he’s been adamant that no one else is allowed in her room.

Gently, I pull the blanket off of me and pad over to the door that adjoins the two rooms. I can just barely make out what Hawk is saying.

“Maggie? You’re safe. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Then I hear a girl’s voice, but it isn’t clear what her response is.

“I’m going to call your father and let him know you’re awake.”

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