Daughter Trilogy Bundle (69 page)

"Did you suffer any hearing problems after the accident?" he asks curiously.

My mind flashes back to the wet liquid oozing from my ears when the sirens concentrated their shrieks.  I cringe noticeably, and Devin's hand squeezes mine.  It had been blood.

"Yes.  It's a little better now though," I offer.

"Do you see something wrong?" Devin worries.

"It looks as though something tried to rupture her eardrum, but if she's not experiencing any problems, then I suppose it's not a threat," he murmurs with a little distraction.  "Well, I think that just about does it," he says while standing and buttoning his bag back up.

"Thank you," Devin says as he shakes his hand.

The elevator doors open again, and Hale steps off with crutches.  I hadn't even noticed that he left.

He props them against the wall, and Kry walks over to take the prescription paper from the doctor's hand before disappearing into the elevator.  The doctor follows in behind him, and Devin returns to my side.

"I figured you'd need something to help you get around," Hale says with a proud tone.

"Thanks.  I prefer crutches to a wheelchair," I murmur appreciatively.

"Ah man.  I didn't even think about a wheelchair.  That would have been awesome," he teases.

Devin rolls his eyes, and then bends to kiss me on the forehead as Gemma and Camara return with my plate of food.

I scarf it down as though I haven't eaten in years.  Jace leans up on his elbows as he speaks with a less antagonistic tone.

"I should probably stay here and try to clean up some of the sirens before they get too strong."

"You'll be killed if you try to take them on alone.  I'm already working up a plan of attack," Devin counters.

"I've got electric bursts.  I'll knock their numbers down," Jace pops off smugly.

"We've got a son of Helios," Devin retorts.

Jace's eyes widen, and Hale smugly plops down and puts my feet in his lap.  Devin narrows his eyes, and Hale gives him a playful shrug.

"You heard the doc; she has to keep her foot elevated," he teases.

Devin just rolls his eyes and heads over to pour a glass of scotch.

"You're a son of Helios?" Jace finally releases in disbelief.

"In the flesh," Hale releases proudly.

"I thought you were supposed to be some sort of irresistible thing to women," Jace argues suspiciously.

Hales eyebrows dance menacingly as he arrogantly replies, "I am."

Camara laughs a little and Deacon’s eyes narrow at her when she blushes noticeably.  I just roll my eyes, and then cringe when Gemma does the same thing - rolling her eyes at the exact same second.

“
So, are you keeping your mojo locked up right now?"

"No.  Why?" Hale asks casually.

"Because the women aren't exactly clawing each other's eyes out to get to you," Jace observes.

Devin lets a smirk slide out, and Deacon bursts out laughing.

"I hate this guy a little less now," Kry chuckles.

Hale's eyes glare at Jace, and he doesn't hide the offense he's taken to his comment.

"For the record, Camara is teetering, Gemma is just a bitch, and Adisia has to be broken or something."

I roll my eyes again, and Devin's smirk grows.

"So it's a slow burn then?  You gradually seduce them into your web," Jace pokes.

Hale's eyes narrow further as Deacon doubles over in laughter.  Hale shakes his head before throwing his hands up at me.

"Why did you bring him along?  I catch enough hell from these assholes," he gripes.

I laugh a little, and then I offer him a sympathetic smile.

"Don't be so mean to Hale.  He's sensitive," I tease.

"You too, eh?  Unbelievable," he grumbles as he mocks a sulking pout.

He flashes me a grin before carefully maneuvering my feet out of his lap.  He puts a pillow where he had been sitting, and props my damaged foot up along with my good one.

I smile as he leans down to kiss my forehead and pats me on the shoulder.

"Glad you're back to give me hell," he says with a little more seriousness.

"I'm glad I'm back too," I say with a stinging tear trying to break free.

Devin returns to me and sits down to wrap his arm around my shoulders.  I lean against him, and a girly grin slides over my face.

His phone buzzes in his pocket, and I huff when he has to withdraw from me.

"Hey… Great.  We'll be there as soon as we can," he says to the other person on the line.

I look up, and he pulls me back to him.  "The jets are ready now, and you're clothes are on their way up."

"Thanks," I murmur while trying to stand.

He flashes up, and he scoops me into his arms with swift gentleness.

"What do you think you're doing?" he lightly scolds.

"I'm going to go borrow someone's makeup and change clothes.  I'm tired of looking like a slab of warmed up death," I chuckle.

"You don't look like death.  You look like someone who has had the shit beat out of them, and I promise there won't be an ash left of a siren when we find them," he growls.

I smile lightly, and Hale cracks his neck from side to side.

"Aye.  I'll make sure of it," he adds.

"I still can't believe you're a son of Helios," Jace comments skeptically.

"Dude, what's your glitch?" Hale scoffs.

"I just always pictured a Helios so much
… stronger looking," he says as though he's thinking aloud.

I giggle a little, and Hale slaps his forehead in exasperation.

"Great.  A new comedian for the tour.  Just what I need," he grouses.

"He's much stronger than he looks," Devin kindly interjects.

Hale looks a little surprised, but relieved.  I know it has to suck to always be the punch line.

"I'm going to take Adisia to the bedroom to change.  Bring her clothes when they get up here," Devin says pointedly toward Camara.

"Yeah.  No problem."

He gingerly carries me to the room, and his lips gently graze mine the second we're finally alone.

It feels as though he's worried I'll break if he kisses me too hard, but it's probably because my upper lip is
cut.  I'm actually a little grateful for his soft touch considering how very fragile I feel.

"You're going after them?" I ask worriedly as he starts the shower.

"Of course.  Did you think I would let them roam free after doing this shit to you?" he asks with a slightly offended tone.

"I just don't want you to leave me," I whimper.

His eyes soften, and he pulls my lips to him with a little more vigor.  I wince when my cut lip splits a little more, the tang of my blood slightly invading our moment.

"Sorry," he mumbles with a grimace.

"It's fine.  I'm the one who's sorry.  I didn't trust you even after I said I did, and it was stupid.  I spent the entire time making you feel bad for sending me away when you were just trying to keep me safe.  Now it's been almost a month since I got to see you, and I'm a wrecked mess," I grumble in frustration.

He lets a triumphant smile laced with pity and a little guilt slip free, and then he shakes his head.

"I love you, baby."

"I love you," I pout.

He scoops me up and places me on the edge of the shower as he starts to undress me.  I catch his hand to halt his action.

"Let me do it," I almost plead.

"I can help you," he rebuts.

"Let me hold on to the last bit of dignity I have left, please."

He smirks a little and then frowns.

"Are you going to be able to take a shower with your ankle in that shape?"

"I managed by myself last night," I huff.

"That's good to know," he almost grumbles.

I giggle a little, and he just lets out a huff of a laugh at my amusement before walking back out.

I stare in the mirror
in disgust.  The makeup has offered a slight mask to cover the dreadful wounds on my face, but it has in no way hidden them all.

The yoga pants are a little loose, and Devin's going to be furious when he learns I've lost weight.  I can't help it though.  Misery hates food, and I was miserable for over a month.

He's only seen me in the baggy shirt and boxers up until now.  This shirt that
was
my size covers some of the looseness in the waistband of my pants, but it's obvious that it's supposed to fit better than it does as well.

Crap.  Why does he have to know my sizes?  I could have gotten away with this if he had to ask for them.

"Adisia?" Persia murmurs as she walks in.

"I'm ready.  I just finished up with your makeup.  Thank you for letting me borrow it."

"Of course.  You don't have to ask to borrow anything.  What's mine is yours," she offers without hesitance.

I smile appreciatively, and she helps me flee the vanity stool.  Her free hand hands me my crutches, and I frown as I wobble onto them.

"I hate crutches," I growl.

"You've used them before?" she asks sadly.

"Yeah," I gripe.

"What happened?"

"Long story.  Is everyone else ready?" I question to change the subject.

"Yeah.  We're just waiting for you.  Did you take your medicine?"

"Unfortunately.  Devin brought it to me after my shower.  I forgot what an idiot I feel like on painkillers."

She laughs, and I start hobbling into the living area.  Devin flashes over to me, and his lips catch mine in a gentle embrace.

"Let me carry you," he requests for the hundredth time while pulling back.

"I feel like a child when I'm being passed around like a hot potato.  I'm not overly fond of crutches, but I'd rather hobble than be cradled."

He frowns but concedes to my request.  He doesn't trail far behind me, and I'm not used to us not touching when we're together.

His hands pull me to him while we're on the elevator, letting me know he can't stay away from my lips very long.  I giggle a little when I feel eyes burning on us, and the unpleasant growls of Jace.

"They're always this way.  You'll learn to deal with it," Hale chirps.

Devin takes my crutches and tosses them to Hale.  He scoops me up despite my objection, and kisses me more as the doors open.

"I can't touch you when you use the crutches," he plays.

"Fine.  You win," I huff with a mock look of frustration.

Then my goofy smile returns when his lips continue their gentle attack.  I feel us swishing into a car, and Devin pulls me into his lap.

"The doctor said the ascent and descent of the plane might put pressure on your ribs.  If you think it'll be too much, then we can wait a while."

"I'll be fine.  The brutally strong painkillers are kicking my ass, so I probably won't be awake much longer to feel it."

"Well, I need you to stay awake just a moment longer," he says with a secretive, boyish grin.

"What's that look for?" I say with playful inquisitiveness.

He continues to smile, and then he pulls me into a deeper kiss just before the car stops.

He cautiously climbs out with me still in tow, and I gasp as I watch thousands of balloons suddenly being released into the air.  I hold my hand over my mouth as they slowly drift up, lining the sky with a helium-filled rainbow collage, and then I let out a girly giggle.

“
Birthday balloons?"

He smiles.  "Belated, but it's better to party late than never to party at all," he jokes.

"Party?"

"Yes," he adds with a proud smirk.

He carries me onto the jet, I smile when I see a cake with twenty-six candles flickering with fiery wicks.

Everyone starts singing, and I quickly blow out the hazardous candles that shouldn't be on a plane.

Jace gives me a secretive smirk for what he assumes is a private joke.  I had told him I hated cake, and here Devin is buying me a birthday cake.

Of course, he knows I hate cake too, but I never told him about my ice cream tradition.

"Thanks," I murmur with a touch of embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry.  I've been looking forward to the day I could share a birthday with you, and I missed my first opportunity," Persia confesses.   "We honestly just forgot what day it was.  We didn't forget your birthday."

I smile, and she hugs me before Devin gently places me in the seat.  He quickly props my foot up, and they all start showering me with presents.  I laugh when Hale gives me a keychain that says, "I'm a goddess."

Devin hands me a small box, and I'm expecting to find the ring I've long awaited.  I'm disappointed and excited when I find a camera instead.