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CHAPTEREIGHT
MALCOLM
Angelina finally gave me the all-clear after checking on Désirée. For hours I sat next to her in a chair that looked worn out, but it was comfortable. Tristan opted to stay in the hallway. He wanted to wait until Désirée woke up.
After a while, I needed coffee. There’s no way I’d be going to sleep any time soon. The caffeine will help me stay awake. In the main room of the clubhouse, I finally get the chance to glance around. Pool tables were set to one side with tables and chairs scattered around, some of them already with people seated and eating.
“Morning, would you like something to eat?” a woman asks.
I twist and spot the woman who spoke standing behind the bar, pouring two mugs of coffee. If I’m not mistaken, her name’s Faith, and she’s Axel’s ol’ lady.
“Just coffee, please.” The thought of eating has no appeal to me.
“Here you go,” she says, sliding one of the mugs in my direction.
“Thank you,” I say, stepping over to the bar and taking the mug. I take a sip, then another, and inwardly sigh. It’s good. I don’t know what she did to it, but it’s damn good coffee. “This is good.” I hold the mug up in her direction as appreciation.
“She makes the best,” a deep baritone tone comes from behind me. I tilt my head slightly to find Axel coming in our direction and taking another mug his ol’ lady hands to him.
“You’re just saying that because you love me,” Faith says, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, I love you,ma fée, but ain’t saying you make the best because of that. It’s true,” Axel grumbles and looks at me. “I keep saying she needs to open a café to sell this shit.”
I nod in agreement taking another sip. “Would definitely be profitable. I’d buy it.”
Faith rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Y’all are just being nice.”
“I don’t know you enough to be anything,” I mutter. “I’m just stating it how it is.” Raising the mug to her once more, I leave the couple alone and head back toward the hallway. I notice Tristan standing against the door to Désirée’s room, his body slightly relaxed. “What’s going on?”
“She woke up,” Tristan announced.
Fuck, and I wasn’t in there with her. I start for the door, but Tristan stops me.
“Angelina’s in there with her right now,” he mutters, nodding his head in the direction of the door.
Understanding, I move to lean against the wall to wait.
Forty-five minutes pass before Angelina opens the door and steps out. She holds a hand up, stopping either of us from speaking. “She woke up. I helped her get a shower. Now she’s back to sleep. Her body is exhausted and needs rest. She’ll be in and out of it. But I have also given her another dose of pain meds, so she’s probably going to sleep for a while. I suggest you both get some rest until she wakes.”
“Thank you,” Tristan mutters.
“Yes, thank you. Can we go in now?” I’m not resting anywhere unless it’s close to Désirée.
“Of course,” she says, giving a small smile. “I’ll be in later to check on her. I now have to go make sure a teenage boy is up and ready for the day.”
Leaving us alone, I look to Tristan. “Are you going to come in this time or stay out here still?”
“I’ll come in,” Tristan mutters and steps out of my way.
“Good.” Motioning for him to come on, the two of us step quietly into Désirée’s room. The moment the door closes, I spot her curled on her side in a protective ball. If I weren’t already gutted by what she went through, the sight of her in that ball would’ve done the trick.
“Fuck,” Tristan mumbles, moving to his twin and kneeling next to her. “So fuckin’ sorry I didn’t protect you, Dés.”
I realize just how fucked up Tristan is over this whole situation. Being Désirée’s twin sibling, the two of them are closer than any of the others.
While Tristan talks to his sister, not caring she’s asleep or that I’m in the room. He tells her about Olivia and the fact she’s pregnant with twin boys. It’s the only good news since she went missing.
Sitting in the chair, I set the coffee mug down, lean back, and close my eyes. No sooner than I do this, I pass the hell out.
