“But you will.” My words are a statement, not a question.
“Fuck yes, we will, Fizzle.” Jester lets go of my hand, and suddenly the room is colder. So cold, I’m shivering. He turns away from me and gives his attention to Dr. Addison. “She can leave?”
The doctor grabs my chart from a holder near the door. He gives it a quick review, flipping through the pages before looking back at Jester. “I’d like to keep her here for at least another twelve hours, but I know you, Jester, and that’s not happening. So, I’ll tell you what. You take her home and allow me to come by when my shift ends to check on her. Deal?”
“Yeah, deal,” Jester says without hesitation.
If I ever doubted the Unholy get special treatment, this confirms it. By association, the special treatment spills over to me probably because the good doctor believes I’m Jester’s girlfriend. I’ll let him believe the assumption because the last place I want to be is in this hospital.
Do I feel guilty for taking advantage?
Not at all.
Hospitals suck, and I want to go home.
“Does this work for you, Faith?”
I give the doctor a weak nod. “Absolutely. Thank you.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes with your discharge papers.”
As soon as he’s gone, I take Jester and Havoc through what happened. Or as much as I remember. Some of it is hazy. I’m grateful I can’t recall specific details. Who the hell wants crystal clarity of being beaten by two men? Not men, I correct myself. Cowards too afraid to face the Unholy, so they beat up a woman half their size.
Havoc is pacing the room, his spine rigid and his jaw clenched. His hands are fisted, and I swear to God, I wouldn’t be surprised if he punched a hole clear through the wall.
Jester, though…
He’s a quiet wreck. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he drags a hand through his messy brown hair. He’s staring off at nothing. His mouth, which is usually turned up in a snarky grin, is flat. His entire being is too still. Too somber. And when he turns his head, I see the promise of retribution burning in his eyes.
“It’s okay. I’m fine now.” The lie slips from my bloody lips like sweet poison. I hold out my hand, and when he threads his fingers through mine, it feels…right. The entire universe settles into place. His strength comforts me. After years spent wasting so much time and energy hating him, I let it go. I want to blame the drugs they gave me for this weakness, but that’s bullshit. Especially when he squeezes my hand and the lingering tension fades. Because in my darkest moment, I needed him.Him. Before I can stop the words, the one demand I never thought I would say to this man tumbles out of my mouth. “Take me home, Jester.”
And in perfect Jester fashion, he gives me one of his classic smug smiles. “Thought you’d never ask, Fizzle.”
This arrogant sonofabitch.
But he does take me home.
Just not tomyhome.
11
Jester
“I’m not staying here.”
“The fuck you aren’t.” Call me the bad guy, but the situation requires a firm hand. Faith is being beyond stubborn. True, she’s been through it. I get that she deserves all the care and comfort, but I mean, come on. It’s the second time she’s made this absurd declaration. As if there’s a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll take her back to her place.
Whether or not she likes it, she’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.
I failed this woman once. Trust and believe it won’t happen twice.
Goddamn. I want to burn Brighton to the ground. Murder every motherfucker who lives within the city’s limits because I can’t unhear those bastards beating the shit out of her. Every grunt and groan and boot connecting with her body is dug deep in my brain. They have to die. Period. It’s the natural order of things. They can’t be allowed to walk this earth. Breathe this air. Live a long, healthy life. I’ve killed men for less and ending them will be a whole new level of fun. Shit, it makes me downright giddy just thinking about the agony I’m going to inflict on those woman-beating sonsofbitches.
But not tonight.
Actually, it’s morning.
I need to get Faith inside the house.Myhouse. I give her a gentle nudge across the threshold. “Thought this got settled before we left the hospital.”
