Page 97 of Addicted

“There are also some more clothes and some stew Maggie made,” he tells me, leaning in closer to whisper his next words. “There’s enough for the boys.”

Moisture stings my eyes, and I curse myself for being a weeper all of a sudden. I guess I should cut myself some slack given the shitshow of the last couple of days.

“Thank you, really.” My voice is thick, and I cough to clear my throat. He places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently as he pulls back again.

“I’ve also told Rufus that you need time to heal properly before—” he stops before finishing his sentence, but I know what he doesn’t say. Before my father gives me to the newest recruits who’ve made corporals. My stomach churns at the stark reminder of my future, but I just push it away along with all the other shit, to be dealt with by future Lark. It’s harder when my gaze snags on the two Soldiers standing outside my bars, leering at me like salivating fucking dogs. “He’s agreed until Friday. I’m sorry, that was the best I could do.” Poor Doc’s shoulders round in and his forehead is deeply creased.

“It’s more than most here would do, Doc. So, thank you again.”

“Well, for now, let’s check you over. And I’d like to look at your stitches, make sure there is nothing untoward,” he tells me, back to business as he always is. He spends the next several minutes checking me over, making sure that none of my other injuries are worse. He changes the bandage on my side, one that covers the shallow stab wound Rufus gave me. My sperm donor’s gifts have always been painful. “You boys can leave now. My patient needs privacy for her other check,” Doc informs theSoldiers, his tone unyielding as he looks up from where I’m now lying on top of the blanket. It’s a relief not to have the freezing concrete underneath me.

“But—'' one of them starts, but Doc cuts him off.

“Rufus put you under my charge, did he not? And he’ll be mighty annoyed if I go back not having checked her fully because you refused to follow orders.” Damn, this man is a little scary when he wants to be, and I can see the way he expertly manipulates the men.

“Let’s just go, Chad. It’s not worth our hides,” the other one says, grabbing his buddy and pulling him down the walkway.Yes, run along, Chad. Fucking douche name if ever I heard one.

As soon as the door is closed, my guys are at the bars.

“Patience, boys. Give it a minute to make sure the coast is clear.” Doc chuckles, an almost fond smile on his face as we wait.

What feels like eons later but is probably only a few minutes, Doc gets up and casually strolls over to the guys’ cage, taking out the key and unlocking it. No sooner is it open that they are all rushing over to my cell and my heart pitter-patters in my chest as they reach my side.

Aeron is the first there, unsurprisingly, and gently cradles my face in his hands, kneeling so he can press a kiss to my lips and I don’t have to try and get up.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you, Dove,” he murmurs against them, placing his forehead to mine as our eyes close and we breathe each other in.

“I’ve been here the whole time, just across from you,” I tell him, my voice a breathless whisper as my hands clutch his forearms, pulling him closer to me. The cool wall at my back disappears as his body heat engulfs me from the front.

“It’s too great a distance, Dove.”

I have to hold back the small sob at his sweet words. I never believed that I would be lucky enough to find someone to care for me like this. Let alone several someones.

“Move aside, big bro, Nightingale needs a kiss from her prince,” Jude states in a dramatic tone. I giggle as Aeron kisses me once more, pulling back to be replaced with Jude.

“Will you turn into a frog?” I question him, his grin infectious as he leans down and cups my face in his warm palm.

“Now come on, Nightingale. You know frogs have the best fun. You just have to dig a little deeper is all.” And I laugh at yet another of his Disney references when he kisses my smile as we press our lips together.

“I’ll be a frog with you any day, Baby Devil,” I tell him against his lush lips, breathing in his sweet sunshine scent. Sure, there’s the musk of a slightly unwashed man, but on Jude, it works and just makes me breathe deeper.

“Did you just sniff me, little broken bird?” he questions me, his tone laced with amusement as he pulls away just enough to look at me. Fuck, I missed having him so close, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement at me.

“Maybe I did, Baby Devil. Got a problem with that?”

“Nah, sniff away. It’s only fair as I keep a stock of your used panties under my pillow,” he replies, no shame and nothing to show that it’s not normal to steal your girlfriend’s underwear.

“I love you, Jude,” I reply, my voice soft and my hand stroking down the side of his face.

“I love you too, Nightingale.”

“My turn, Brat.” Tarl’s melodic voice washes over me, making me tingle all over.

“Yes, Sir,” Jude answers, placing another small kiss on my lips before moving to one side.

“Aziz-e delam,” Tarl breathes, dropping to my side, and immediately warmth surrounds me as he somehow embracesme, hurting none of my injuries. He pulls back, his palm cupping my cheek like I’m the most precious thing in the fucking world to him. My throat thickens with the intense look of longing and sadness in his mismatched eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper around the lump in my throat, my breath stuttering as I place my hands on his chest, ignoring the twinge of pain down my side.