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“Because we dragged you from a burning car, and Celt is Jesse’s dad,” Rooster said from the doorway.
“How long have you been listening?” I snapped, and Rooster shrugged.
“Long enough. Your family is returning to the motel tonight with security, SPD, and Hellfire guarding every inch. Tomorrow, they move to the house. Nana didn’t want to leave the motel as they’ve got bookings. So Thalia, Bear’s old lady and Tati will be running it for now. Nana is talking them through what’s needed and explaining the booking system,” Rooster explained. He could read my face that I didn’t wish to owe Hellfire anything.
“We’ve doubled security at the house, and they’re armed. SPD will conduct drive-bys, and we’ve a specialist firm, Hawthorne’s Investigations, providing back-up,” Ken elaborated.
“Each guard has been thoroughly vetted, and there’ll be four Hellfire present at all times. Two will watch Jesse because the easiest and quickest way to get Jesse safe is on a bike if you're attacked. A Harley can go places a car can’t, Chey. You may disagree, but I don’t think you can argue the fact Jesse comes before any private feelings,” Rooster said calmly. Damn Rooster, playing my son against me. Of course, Jesse came first.
“Fine,” I grouched, knowing when I was outfoxed.
Ignoring the mass hysteria of the reporters outside the hospital, I was snuck out of a side entrance the following day. A nurse had pushed me down little-used corridors taking the long way around to the car, and four security guards flanked me. Beside me strode Banshee and Levi, who both kept a sharp eye out. The anterograde amnesia had disappeared, and I had been bemused when the condition was explained to me. Saint had teased that I’d always driven them up the wall, but anterograde amnesia was an extreme he didn’t want to repeat. Ken had been as busy as he claimed. The gym was up and fully equipped, a therapist had been hired alongside a personal attendant for me. We arrived at the house with little fanfare.
I was surprised Celt wasn’t present, but Shee had explained Celt felt I needed breathing room. Celt wasn’t far from wrong. I was dealing with too much, and while I’d cried several times, I still hadn’t come to terms with everything. The fact Celt was giving me space meant a lot, although I wanted to kick him in the shins for some unknown reason. Celt was popping up more and more for a guy I’d hated, and so was Hellfire. But with Jesse’s safety at risk, there was nothing I wouldn’t suck up and accept for my boy.
We reached the limo without incident and sped away to the house. Shee and Levi both hopped on their bikes and followed. With foresight, the building we’d bought was down a secluded lane, and I was surprised to see gates now installed with cameras mounted on them. Security walked the grounds with only five metres between a guard. Each guard had a line of sight on two others. I thought it was overkill, but Ken clearly wasn’t messing around with surveillance. I was reassured by the number of guards walking the property, although I mentally winced at how much they must be costing. Levi lifted me from the limo and carried me up the steps while Zyaire dragged the wheelchair out and set it up. Carefully, Levi placed me in it and grinned.
“Always said you’d be hell on wheels,” Levi quipped, and I frowned before allowing a reluctant smile to cross my face.
“Mom!” Jesse yelled, and I looked up as he leapt down the stairs, fell to his knees and hugged me tightly. I clung to my son, swallowing tears and hugging Jesse just as hard.
“Cheyenne,” Nana said, emerging from the lounge with Jed on her heels. Nana and Jed had grumpily been installed in the house, although Nana was waxing lyrical over the kitchen. They both looked relaxed and relieved to see me.
“Nana, Jed,” I smiled as I felt a weight drop from my shoulders. On the drive, I’d come to the realisation I had two options. I could mope and complain about my injuries, or I could buck up and fight. Well, I’d never been a quitter. As the limo took us to the house, I decided that I’d battle this and win. I had a five percent chance of walking, well watch me walk. Strangely, I’d also recognised that I required a counsellor as well.
If I was to keep my mind healthy while I battled this paralysis, I needed a strong mindset. And after the shocks and traumas of the past few weeks, I couldn’t honestly say I was mentally fit. Talking to someone about everything that had happened was a good idea. Otherwise, I’d churn it repeatedly in my brain until I drove myself crazy. And on the off chance, I couldn’t walk, at least I would have made peace with it.
“You coming in?” Jed grunted as he interrupted my thoughts. I gave myself a shake and nodded. Today was going to be relaxing. Tomorrow I’d start work and work hard. Jed and Nana had installed a good work ethic in me, and at this moment, I needed that and everything else.
“Yeah, Jed,” I smiled. The wheelchair crossed the threshold of the house, and I stared towards my future. Bring it on.
???
“You’re a fucking monster,” I swore three days later at the therapist Lucy, who was laughing. Lucy, despite her gentle sounding name, was a bloody dictator. Oh, Lucy was excellent at what she did, little miss Lucy, but boy did Lucy have attitude! Lucy had no qualms in dishing back what I dished out. At first, Kye, Bridge, Zyaire, Johnno, and Saint had joined me. Until Lucy realised they meant to watch and not join in.
Well, that wasn’t good enough for Lucy, who began putting them through their paces on the gym equipment. The following day, Johnno was missing, and today Zyaire had died a quiet death. Kye, Bridge and Saint were still hanging on, although I wondered how long for by the looks on their faces. The tyrant was no taller than five foot one, and I swore Bridge could pick Lucy up in one hand, but jeez… she had a mouth on her.
“And you’re a pussy. Come on, ten more push-ups,” Lucy bit back with a wicked glint in her eye.
“Should I be doing these so soon after the accident?” I begged as I performed one.
“Oh, you’re okay, Chey, don’t tell me you’re going to wimp out? Thought you were made of sterner stuff? Lucy taunted as I finished the last and collapsed on the mat. She grinned and patted my hip as she released my legs, which flopped uselessly to the floor.
“I think you were hired to kill me,” I gasped as Kye pulled me into a sitting position and supported my back. I grabbed the bottle of water from him and drank deeply.
“Yup, five minutes' rest time, and then we hit the pool. I want ten laps, and then we’ll call it quits until this afternoon. Be a good girl, and I’ll massage you later,” Lucy teased, and I moaned. Lucy’s fingers were sheer magic. They dug right into the tight muscles, and I felt like a jellyfish afterwards. The door opened, and I pursed my lips as Celt entered. Lucy’s eyes lit upon him with an evil glint. Oh, uh, I knew that look.
“Hi,” Celt smiled. Lucy grinned wickedly. A new victim.
“Hey,” I replied with a smug smile. Celt’s grin faded as he gazed between Kye, Saint, Bridge, and me. No lie, we were dripping sweat, and I could hear Bridge threatening retaliation against Lucy.
“Hi!” Lucy chirped, looking innocent. Suspicion fell across Celt’s face, and I let out a bark of laughter. Yeah, Celt wasn’t going to fall for that look. “Jeans aren’t exactly conducive to a workout.”
“Oh, I’m visiting, not here for a session,” Celt explained, waving one hand. Lucy’s face darkened, and I saw Celt flinch at the scowl that crossed her face.
“If you’re in this room or in the pool, you’re working out!” Lucy retorted. Celt offered Lucy a winning smile and shrugged.
“I’m fit enough, Lucy; I don’t need to work out.” Oh, those were fighting words to Lucy, who perked right up as I chortled. Bridge and Saint groaned in sympathy while Kye chuckled at Celt’s perplexed look. Lucy eyed Celt up and down and sent him a wicked grin.
