Page 18 of Brandishing Balance (Devil’s Psychos MC #3)

Maya

F ire seared up my body, licking at my sides and across my chest. My throat burned with every breath I took. I tried to swallow, only to find it felt like glass tearing me to shreds. It was agony.

There was an incessant beeping that grated on my nerves. It grew louder and faster the more agitated I became. Something was holding my arm down, I tried to jerk it free, but it held tighter.

“Maya?” It was a man’s voice, laced with concern.

I lashed out, trying to push them away.

I couldn’t see anything.

I tried to scream. Something was blocking my throat; only mumbled noises came out.

“Maya!” That voice again, he was yelling this time.

The fucking beeping wouldn’t stop.

I tried to lash out again, but hands were holding me down.

Hands were everywhere.

Agony ripped through me.

A searing scream ripped from my throat, setting it ablaze.

My head pounded.

Then there was nothing. Sweet, peaceful silence embraced me as I floated away.

Maya

“Griff said she shouldn’t have woken up so quickly, that her body likely burned through the drugs faster, because of what she was on before.”

I heard the male voice speaking softly, but didn’t really understand. What drugs had I been on? Where was I? Why did everything feel so heavy?

I felt like my limbs were weighted with concrete.

My throat hurt, but I felt like I could swallow easier, despite the pain.

“So now what?” Another male voice asked.

“Now we wait. He said she should wake up any time. It’s up to her,” the first voice said.

It was up to me. Of course, it was up to me, dipshits. I would do whatever I damn well pleased.

“At least they took the tube out of her throat. I bet that freaked her out when she woke the first time,” Nico said, his voice laden with emotion. He wrapped his fingers around my left hand and squeezed.

I squeezed back.

“Maya?!” Nico’s voice got louder.

I squeezed again.

“What’s going on?” the first voice—Marcos asked.

I heard Marcos. Fuck, I heard him. Did that mean? Was Jason there too?

“She awake?” Jason asked. Yes! My boys were here. Wherever here was.

“She squeezed my hand twice now! Maya, can you open your eyes?” Nico asked.

I tried to open my eyes, but it was too bright. The lights! Fuck, the lights. Hillcrest’s lights were blinding me. Was he still filming? My thoughts raced a mile a minute to catch up.

The incessant beeping was back again, growing louder and more frantic as my heart rate increased. My heart rate! That’s what the beeping was, a heart rate monitor. Was I in the hospital?

“Maya, calm down, Little Dreamer. You’re safe now. We’ve got you. You’re in the hospital,” Nico’s voice was soft and soothing, hands slid across me as he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

I squeezed his hand for dear life. “Nic.” A strained breath escaped me, his name but a whisper.

Nico’s hand squeezed mine tighter, his forehead leaned against mine. “Yeah, baby. I’m here. We’re all here.”

Someone else grabbed my other hand. “You’re safe now, Mi Vida.” Marcos’s voice was a thick gravel. “We’ve got you.”

“We’re all here, darlin’,” Jason murmured from my right. He wrapped his hand around my foot, squeezing gently. “We’re not going anywhere.”

I felt the tears leak out but was too exhausted to stop them.

“Get some rest, baby. We’ll be here when you wake up.” Nico kissed my forehead before he pulled away.

But I couldn’t, I needed to know. “Luuke,” I gasped.

“He’s safe, Mi Vida. He’s at home with your mom. He’s been here a couple times, but we’re trying to keep him in school,” Marcos said.

I squeezed his hand in a silent thanks.

“Rest now, Little Dreamer. We’ll be here when you wake up,” Nico murmured.