Page 105 of Hate Game

Someone knocks on the door.

“Come in.”

The door opens, and Malice saunters in. When he sees I’m awake, he rushes over and pulls me into his arms.

“Babe. Fuck.” He puts me at arm’s length. “How are you feeling? Do you need more pain meds? Hungry? I’ll go get the nurse.” He lets go.

I hold onto his hand. “Uh-uh, get over here.”

Midnight leaves his seat. “Sit. Keep your girl company.” He addresses me. “When should I tell the others they can stop by? They’re antsy.”

“An hour. Is that okay?”

“You’re the boss. An hour it is.”

“Thank you, Midnight.”

He starts to leave. I clear my throat. “Um, can I give this back to you? I want to make room for a different ring later down the line.”

I hand Midnight the moon-shaped promise ring. Malice’s eyes widen. He points his finger at Midnight. “Hegave you that damn ring?”

“Surprised?”

“Hell, yeah. He has no right hanging on totwoLee girls.”

Midnight laughs and takes the ring from me. “Believe me, bruh, Rue is all yours. One Lee girl is enough to deal with.”

Before he leaves, Midnight says something cryptic to Malice.

“Is everything good? Did you stake your claim? Send the message to my baby bro?”

“Yeah, all done, man. It should be on the news right about now.”

Curious, I flip on the afternoon news just as Midnight closes the door behind him.

“Breaking news. Fire crews are putting out a large fire at…”

They give the general location, and my breath leaves me.

“You didn’t.”

“I most certainly did. He took too long to decide, and I took too long to stake my claim. Now, all of Cambridge and Delridge understands you are mine, and I am yours.”

“But that’s Red’s place.” His man cave. A guest house on his parents’ property. A place where he and I hung out.

“Does it make you feel better that I had movers empty the place while he was at the sheriff’s office talking with Olivia? That I offered to build him a bigger place after the rest are demolished?”

How can I be angry with him when hethoughtfullytook care of the “family matter” between him and Red?

“Will he be okay? Midnight told me everything.”

“He’ll be fine, Rue. His girl’s out there. Olivia isn’t it.”

“What happens now?”

“You get some good pain medications in you. Rest up. I’ll stick by your side until you’re discharged.”

“When will that be?”

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