Owen holds my hand as we approach Mr. and Mrs. Warren, and the rest of their family. I recognize her brother from school and a few others from the cookout. One noticeably absent presence is Brendan.
Where the fuck is he?
“Ariah, sweet girl,” Mrs. Warren says, calling me to her. Her eyes are bloodshot from crying.
This is all my fucking fault.
“I’m so sorry,” I begin, and she swats at my arm, pulling me into her arms.
“Don’t chu dare apologize for the wicked ways of man. Elise was a sick woman, and she deserves everyting coming her way. I’m just glad yuh ere now,” Shay’s mom says.
I squeeze her. “Elise is dead. She won’t be hurting anyone ever again,” I inform her. Then I pull from her embrace. “Any word?”
Her face crumples, and she hangs her head. “She’s flatlined twice. Di fucka shot her in the spleen. But it’s the blood loss. It took so long for someone to find her.” Shay’s mom’s voice breaks, and her husband comes up behind her, taking her into his arms to comfort her.
“We’re waiting to hear from the doctors. They should be out soon,” Shay’s father finishes for his wife and then walks her to take a seat.
I take a seat next to Owen, and he grabs my hand. “Where are the guys?” I’ve been so out of it that I haven’t thought to ask until now.
“Once they saw you were with me and needed time, they went to the Tombs to deal with Antonio,” he replies.
“I hope they dissect him,” I growl.
Owen snorts, “You’re turning into a blood-thirsty avenging angel.”
I think over his words. I really have. “It’s deserved. People keep trying to hurt those I care about, and I can’t fucking have that.”
“Just don’t put yourself in harm’s way to get justice. I know you’d do what you did for Shay again, and I don’t blame you. I’d do it for you or any of the guys without hesitation. I’m just asking you to make sure it’s your last possible resort,” Owen begs, and I squeeze his hand.
“I promise to try as long as you do the same.”
Before he can respond, someone calls Shay’s parents’ names, and my gaze snaps up. I grip Owen’s hand watching the doctors speak to the Warrens, looking for a sign of what’s happening. When Shay’s mom falls, my heart stops.
“No. No fucking way.” I jump from my seat and run across the hospital lobby.
“She’s out of surgery and in stable condition.” I hear the female physician say, and relief floods me so fast I also fall, only for Owen to catch me before I hit the ground.
“Shay’s okay?” I ask for clarity.
Mr. Warren helps his wife off the ground before he answers, “Yes.”
Then the doctor continues, “Miss Warren isn’t out of the woods yet. We need to see how well she does once she wakes, and then she’ll need time to heal.”
I don’t hear anything except that my best friend is alive. That news zaps the leftover adrenaline that’s kept me going, and everything that’s happened finally comes crashing in. “I think it’s time for me to go home,” I mumble to Owen.
“Then let’s get you home, Angel,” he bends to whisper in my ear before saying our goodbyes to the Warrens, letting them know I’ll be back once I’ve rested, before he guides me to his Jeep.
64
ARIAH
Things have settled. Now that we no longer have to worry about Elise, and Shay’s home from the hospital, I finally feel a sense of peace. I only wish my nerves got the memo and would settle the fuck down.
Between headaches, loss of appetite, and random panic attacks, I’m exhausted. I’m hoping a night with my guys will be just what the doctor ordered.
I settle between Owen’s legs, waiting for the movie to start. Lev and Sebastian are on either side of us. Wyatt grabs my foot as he sits near the bottom of the bed, and begins to massage the sole, making me groan.
“Don’t make those noises if you ever want to see this movie,” Wes mumbles from his spot on the giant bed in Owen’s theater room.
