Page 126 of Die for You
“I won’t.” The weight of the vow settles heavily on my shoulders. I’m never leaving them again. I’m theirs. Forever. “I love you all so much. I’m not going anywhere.”
I can’t believe I was lucky enough to meet the Devils. To be the one who saved them from the car accident that night. To be the one they vowed to guard and protect. To be the Devils’ angel.
“You again?” a low voice grumbles outside the room, exasperated.
“Us again,” a husky, feminine voice snaps. “And I don’t appreciate that tone. We’re a delight.”
Juliet stomps into the room in black boots first, followed closely by Sienna, Trey, and Luke.
A balloon fills in my chest as a smile breaks across my face. The last time we were all in the hospital, they were little more than strangers. Now, they’re my friends. The closest thing I’ve ever had to a family since my parents died.
Sienna rushes over and hugs me, exhaling a sigh of relief. “I’msoglad you’re okay, Aurora. I was so worried.”
“Sorry for worrying you. I’m an ass.” My chest clenches. If I hadn’t left that night, I wouldn’t have put them all through days of stress.
“Don’t be sorry. We’re just glad you’re okay.”
“Good job taking that bitch down.” Trey’s voice is monotone as he leans back against the wall, but he seems genuinely impressed.
“I didn’t do anything. It was all them.” I nod at the Devils.
“You swung a violin at her head,” Luke reminds me. “Pretty sure it’s safe to say you put up a fight.”
“That’s badass,” Juliet agrees.
I grin at them, pride settling in my gut. They’re right—I fought my way out of that basement. I found the strength to keep going, even when I thought there was no way out. Even when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Devils are proud, my friends are proud, my parents would’ve been proud.
But more importantly, I’m proud of myself. I’ve been through hell, and I made it out on the other side. I’m here, albeit with a fractured ankle, but I made it.
“I’m lucky to have you as friends,” I tell them.
Even with all the shit that’s gone down since we met, I’ve never been luckier or happier since I met the Devils.
“Speaking of the violin.” Knox chews his lip, glancing at Damien and Finn with a frown. “We do have some bad news.”
“It’s broken?” I guess.
They nod, Finn squeezing my hand. Everyone in the room waits for my reaction. A breakdown, more tears, an outraged scream.
But I came to terms with what would happen to my violin in the moments before I swung it at Monica’s head. My parents' final gift to me was to save my life. And as long as I’m breathing, I’ll always have a connection to them. I’ll carry my memories of them and how much they loved me for the rest of my life.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I have three boyfriends who can buy me another.”
Chapter 38
Knox
Four phone callsand three voicemails later, I’ve finally managed to convince my mother that they don’t need to visit us in the hospital. I’ve already warned Rory we’re going to have to stop by the house after she’s discharged.
Monica was denied bail, so she’ll be held until her court date. I lost track of all the charges she’s facing. Abduction, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment.
Regardless of the outcome, I’ve already started the process to file a restraining order. Aurora promised she’d be right by my side at the courthouse.
I feel lighter than I have in years. Like a massive weight on my shoulders has finally been lifted. After all these years, Monica Jones is finally facing some justice.
This is Aurora’s final night in the hospital, and she had one request.
Finn and I keep watch in front of the door while her bed squeaks in the room behind us. Damien’s doing a commendable job of keeping her quiet, but she needs to do a better job of silencing him. Those groans could only come from one kind of act.
