AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Roark huffs out a breath. “Turner and I were trying to give the paparazzi something else to do, and that’s why I was fucking his face at the club,” he grumbles. “I didn’t think there could be people who would spin it to hurt you. I’m sorry—”
“No, baby, don’t apologize. You can be sorry Xav used it to hurt me, but none of it was your fault. I’m glad you had Turner with you for support. I was gone for a month and a half, and most of that time I didn’t sleep and barely ate. Xav is a goddamn sadist with his death metal playing all night,” I mutter.
Derek growls under his breath. “Greg wants to help when it comes time to torture him,” he tells me as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “They have a lot of history, and Greg has more experience than I in how to hurt people,” he tells me.
“I always knew he worked for the government as a mercenary, but not the specifics,” I murmur, laying my head back. “I’m glad he’s our friend and on our side. I don’t know yet if I want to see the light go out of Xav’s eyes though,” I tell them, and Derek’s brows raise. “I want to hear all about this new dark hobby you’ve picked up, Derek, but I need food and sleep first, please.”
“How much longer?” Derek asks like a brat, and it makes me giggle. He winks at me, fully knowing he’s playing the equivalent of a child annoying his daddy.
Something stirs inside of me that’s a different kind of hunger and I cock my head, considering. A part of me wondered if I would ever want to have sex again after what was done to me in Hidden Hills. It’s nice to see that I’m not broken.
Before I was kidnapped, we had a very healthy sex life. I know it’ll be weeks before it’s on the table of possibilities, yet it’s nice to know this hasn’t been taken from me too.
“I’m making the turn now, Derek. I’m going to tan your ass red if you’re going to act like a brat,” Turner complains.
I look in the rear view mirror and can see he’s looking at me with a smirk. I grin at him and Turner nods. We have a lot of work to do together, but I have a feeling it’ll be okay.
I’m almost nodding off when the car pulls into a farmhouse away from everything. Everyone opens their doors, getting out of the car. Outside of the sounds of the night, everything is quiet.
Wind ruffles my hair and I shiver at the bite of cold that comes with it. It reminds me that fall is in full force here, and how much I’ve missed. I love Halloween, so it’s one more thing that’s been taken from me.
Sleepily, I lean against the car, and Roark comes around and picks me up. “I think my little Valkyrie needs assistance getting to bed. You’ve had a long day, and I just like having you in my arms,” he says, kissing my forehead.
I sigh happily, feeling secure and safe in his muscular arms. I’ve been strong for a really long time, I’m going to enjoy being carried like a princess for now.
Turner unlocks the front door, and I remember I threatened to kick Orion’s ass if he left without speaking to me.
“Ugh, I want to go to bed, but I have shit to deal with first,” I mumble into Roark’s chest.
“Sucks to be a big, bad, bitch defending her boyfriend’s honor, huh?” he teases me.
“I don’t feel big and bad right now. Tired and hangry sounds closer to the truth,” I grumble.
“Well fuck, that happened fast,” Turner chuckles as he turns off the alarm.
“Should have seen if we could get you to eat more before we left,” Derek mutters, and I love that he plays along with them.
I’m not at Def Con Mega Bitch yet, but I was definitely hungry. We forget about Orion as we search for the kitchen, as this is an unfamiliar house.
Flipping on the lights, Roark walks in and deposits me on a stool before he makes a beeline for the fridge.
Turner wraps his arms around my waist, “Do you want to snack on something, baby? I’m sure we can find you something.”
They’re so sweet to me, and my stomach makes its presence known with a groan. “There’s cheese, prosciutto, and I’m sure I can find you crackers or bread,” Roark says, his voice muffled as he observes the fridge’s offerings.
“Mmmm. Yes please. I really didn’t think I’d be hungry, but I think being out of the hospital is good for my appetite,” I tell them.
I may not have normal responses to hospitals or nurses for a long time.
Derek starts going through the pantry, coming out triumphantly with a package of crackers clutched in his hand.
It’s really cute how serious they are about something so simple, but the reality is that Xav was starving me. I can feel it in how sharp my rib bones feel against my arm. Bony isn’t a good look on me, nor is it healthy.
I’m going to enjoy their attentiveness, even when it inevitably gets on my nerves. They love me, and I’m going to lean in and bask in it.
Derek brings me meat, cheese, and crackers, and I sigh happily with the first bite. I’m too tired to dance out my contentment, so instead I enjoy my first real food outside of soup in days.
Roark starts cooking, and the scent of chicken begins to fill the air.
