“A part of your loyalty – You are in debt to the Shadow’s Society until the day you die. There will be no retrials.”
I notice Hell stands straighter, as if that is something he didn’t want, and I feel awful instantly.
He flips the second card, revealing a skull with a black cross over the right eye.
“A part of your strength – Mutilation of your right eye.”
I suck in a quick breath, unable to help it. Tears start to blur my vision, and my fists clench. Hell stays completely silent, now giving nothing away.
The third card is finally flipped, showing two big skulls and one small one in the middle, surrounded by red roses.
“A part of your legacy – Your right to have children. A permanent vasectomy.”
I step forward because this is utterly fucking crazy, but Hell looks at me sharply, and I stop in my tracks. I give a small headshake, tears now tumbling down my cheeks, but he ignores my silent plea before looking at the men. “Let’s get this done.”
“No,” I speak, my voice cracking.
“Harley…” Hell uses my real name to warn me.
“Please,” I whisper, knowing it is so unfair that he has to lose so many good things in his life just to save mine.
“Enough!” He shouts at me, and my body tenses. “Get her out of here.”
Suddenly, Soul wraps his arm around my midsection from behind, guiding me out. “He’s made his mind up, Noir. Leave it,” he murmurs in my ear, and I weep.
As we exit the room, my heart feels like it’s being torn apart, and I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility and sorrow. The door closes behind us, and I hear the muffled sounds of the men preparing to carry out the punishments.
After what feels like an eternity of being in the foyer with Soul and Wrath, I pace up and down, fiddling with my fingers, hatingevery second of this agonizing wait. The tension is unbearable, and my mind races with worst-case scenarios. Suddenly, the doors open, and I freeze, watching Hell slowly come into view. He has one eye covered with a bloodied rag, and he is limping.
My heart clenches at the sight. I rush toward him, and as soon as I am close enough, he keeps his head bowed, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I can’t shake the horrible feeling in my stomach with every step we take toward the exit.
“We’ve got a truck waiting,” Soul says. “They’ve loaded your bike on the trailer at the back, so you don’t have to ride.” Hell stays silent, his head still lowered until we get outside and climb into the truck.
Once settled, Hell groans, lying back with his head on my lap. “Fuck, my nuts hurt,” he mutters, his voice strained. I run my fingers through his hair, trying to soothe him, and I sniffle, which causes him to look at me with his good eye.
“What the fuck did I say to you about crying, Little Dolly?” he asserts sternly.
My eyes soften, tears fogging my vision. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” He takes in my features as I continue. “I wish…”
“You wish what? That I wouldn’t have done that? Then they would have made me kill you there and then.”
“I know,” I weep, my voice breaking unable to control my emotions. “You now can’t have children, you can’t have a life, and it’s all my fault.”
He reaches up, sliding his hand around the back of my neck, his touch both comforting and grounding. “They didn’t take my fucking life. You’re still here,” he says, his swirling eye boring into mine, and his words breathe warmth inside of me.
“I never fucking wanted kids. I am grown up enough to know not to bring a child into this madness, Noir. I could never be a father.”
As he reassures me, although it doesn’t make me feel any better, I rest my forehead against his, trying to compose myself. “This is so messed-up,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
“This is my reality, pretty girl. Nothing is normal.”
I lift my head, looking down at him. “And now it’s my normal.”
He gives a small nod. “Now I take Kyro out. They told me in there that he isn’t officially part of the Shadow’s; he’s just an associate.” I tilt my head to the side, trying to process his words and understand what he is trying to say. “You have mercy for your murder, Noir, but they will not stop Kyro from possibly killing or taking you again because you’re not under their protection and you will never be.”
I take a big inhale, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me until he continues. “But you’re under my protection. You always will be. Kyro can’t kill me, or he will receive punishment for killing on Shadow’s member. So, for now, you stay at Oddity until I find him.” I nod in agreement, my heart feeling heavy because of all of his sacrifices.
It’s been a week since my eye was cut, and my balls were snipped. I’m standing in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The deep cut criss-crosses over my right eye, a reminder of the price I paid. I am still yet to see if I am blind or not.
