Page 51 of Heartless
“The moment the kid walked into the room, Hades justknew,” he went on, staring blankly in front of him. “He knew it was going to happen and gave me the order.”
“Do you think this is what Daren was talking about?” I asked.
Reaper’s eyelids closed, his head shaking slowly from side to side on the hospital pillow. “I don’t think so, but…maybe. I don’t know anymore. He mentioned asheand it was only men in the room. I’m still going nuts trying to wrap my head around it.”
“Stop thinking about it.” I brushed kisses from his temple to his forehead. “Just for tonight, and rest for me.”
“I can’t. Not if you’re still in danger.”
“Yes, love. You’re my hero, but…” I kissed his eyelids, encouraging them to stay heavy and closed. “You saved three people’s lives today. Take a night off and protect me after you’ve recovered.”
“Damn you, woman…” His growl had little bite as exhaustion and pain medication finally took him under, his breaths growing deep and steady with sleep.
“I love you, too,” I chuckled, planting a final kiss on his cheek before sliding out of the bed and smoothing the blanket over his lap.
Freyja reclined at the end of the bed near his feet, her paws tucked into her body, eyes large and seeing all that I could not. I needed to check on Josh and Vance, but paused on my way out of the room.
“Thank you,” I said. “For healing them.”
She answered me with a deep purr that echoed throughout the room.
Fifteen
JANDRO
"Where are you going?" Reaper grimaced as Mari changed his bandage. She cleared everyone in the stabbing to go home yesterday, but not even Reaper missed an opportunity to be babied by her. She laid him up in bed in our room here at the B&B, and made sure he didn't have to lift a finger for a damn thing.
"Just the country roads right outside of town," I assured him from where I watched in the doorway.
"Someone else should go with you," he said. "Gunner or Shadow, at least."
"Gun's setting up patrols with the Sons around City Hall," I reminded him. "And Shadow has a tattoo appointment."
"Then consider doing this another time," he huffed. "Mari can learn to ride whenever, preferably when we don't have fucking assassins in the city."
"We'll be fine," Mari told him, cleaning up her supplies as she finished dressing his wound. "And still close by if anything does happen."
"Well, how long you gonna be gone for?"
"No more than two hours," I said. "Just a quick spin, then she'll come right back to dote on you, your Majesty."
Reaper frowned, the lines in his face deepening as Mari cupped his cheek and leaned her forehead on his.
"I need a break, love. It's been an intense couple of days and Josh still needs to be monitored. Just two hours on the bike for some fresh air, then I can get back to my patients."
The tension in his face smoothed just slightly. He brought his hands to the sides of her neck, staring at her for a moment before catching her mouth in a warm kiss.
"You know it's not about that. I just want you safe."
"There are few places more safe than with Jandro on an empty stretch of road," she said, pulling away slowly. "You rest up and don't worry,Rory."
"Ugh, fine. Get gone if you're gonna call me that." He swatted her side, prompting her to get up and duck under my arm on her way out of the room. When I turned to follow her, Reaper called out, "Hang on a second, 'Dro."
I approached his bedside in a few steps. "Yeah?"
The hard scowl returned, all the relaxed ease from Mari's presence gone. "Don't let her out of your sight for a second. Not even to check fluids on the bike. That's an order, do you understand me?"
"Yeah, man. Of course, but," I stared back at him, puzzled, "you know she's safe with me. Is this about the assassin or something else?"
