Chapter 3
Hunter
I awake with a start,disoriented for a moment. I exhale as I realize I'm okay, and, more importantly, that Pretty Girl is alive and fine, sleeping in the bed right beside me.
I wince a bit as I feel the pull of the stitches, but it’s not horribly bad. Slowly getting myself up, I limp my way to the bathroom inside the office. I relieve my bladder, then tiptoe up to Pretty Girl’s bed, climbing in with her. I need to hold her—touch her.
Sighing, I very gently wrap my arms around Pretty Girl. I feel better already.
She stirs in her sleep, muttering, “Hunter, yes Daddy.”
I chuckle softly, loving she’s dreaming of me.
I never really told her this, but I am more dominant in the bedroom than she’s already aware of. I insist on total submission. I'm not heavily into pain but thrive on control.
Pretty Girl mutters something incoherent, interrupting my thoughts. Her eyes flutter open. She sees me and smiles beautifully.
“Hi.” She blushes adorably. “Did I talk in my sleep?”
“You sure did, baby. And believe me, once we’re both healed up, I’ll be shelving that for our next sexy encounter.”
“Oh my God.” Pretty Girl blushes harder. “I am so embarrassed.”
“Never be embarrassed with me, Pretty Girl. Nothing you say or do could make me see you any differently.”
She smiles again, leaning in to place a soft kiss on my lips. “Have I said thank you yet for getting us out of that hideous place? You really came through.”
“No need to thank me. I did what I had to do. I was getting you out no matter what.” My eyes swim with everything I feel for her.
“So, what happens now?” Pretty Girl asks, her gaze alight with life and love.
“Once we’re released from here, we’ll be staying at the ZYGOS compound for as long as we need to. We'll figure things out from there.”
“All of us?” She raises a brow.
“Yes, baby. You, me, Cynthia, The Six, Valley, Bryan, and 3.”
“Yay,” she says cheerily. “I’ll say thank you to Jax when I see him.”
Before we can talk more, the door opens, and I see Cynthia attempting to sneak back in. I don’t think she’s left my side once.
“Bathroom,” she giggles, answering my unspoken question, pointing to the door leading out of the room.
I am really worried about my sister. She has moments of lucidity but then spirals back into being all over the place. I can’t even begin to imagine what she went through in The Retreat, down in The Morgue. The trauma must be beyond words. I have so many questions. How long was she in there? Has she been there the whole time? What did they do to her?
“Hunter? What 'cha doing in 11’s bed?” Cynthia whispers loudly, making Pretty Girl giggle.
“Um... first of all, sis, her name is Phoenyxx,” I say. “She is also the love of my life.”
Cynthia’s jaw drops open, and she squeals. “No way! How how how? I thought she was in love with meeee. And those other guys...” Her brow wrinkles in confusion, and her head whips to Pretty Girl. “How many boyfriends do you have? And are you still going to marry me?”
“Aw, Cynthia. Yes, they’re all my boyfriends, Hunter included. So that’s seven guys, I guess.” Pretty Girl shrugs, and I grin. “And, honey, we can’t get married. But I’ll be your best friend—me and Valley both. Deal?”
Cynthia’s face falls in disappointment, then lifts again right away. “Okay. Maybe I can find a bunch of boyfriends at Hunter's friend’s place, too.” She claps her hands together in glee.
“I don’t think so. No boyfriends, and definitely no harem,” I insist.
“Sure, sure,” Cynthia mutters. Her eyes bright; she announces, “I'll go get food. Yummy food. Okay, bye.”
