Page 6 of Die for You (Diamond Devils #4)
The truth is I’ve spent my whole life wishing I could fall in love with someone who would save me.
Save me from the crippling loneliness after my parents died, save me from the foster homes I bounced between until I aged out of the system, save me from the bullies who made my life hell at every school I transferred to, save me from Jeremiah.
Save me from this life that has never seemed to belong to me.
But I would never admit that out loud, not even to myself.
Hope is too scary a feeling to hold on to.
I chew my lip, pretending to mull over my answer. “I think the closest I’ve come to that is thinking, If I kicked him in the balls, I would feel a little, tiny bit guilty .”
“I’ve never felt it either.” Knox leans back against the flimsy pillow on the hospital bed. “Until tonight.”
He actually believes he could fall in love with me ? He has absolutely no idea what kind of girl I am. If he did, he wouldn’t think that for a second.
I glance at Finn, waiting for him to call Knox out for saying something so ridiculous. But he keeps his mouth shut, and his steady gaze on me tells me he doesn’t think Knox is being ridiculous at all.
Before I can blurt something rude about them getting too high tonight, I spin to leave. They’ve all been through a lot in the past hour—they’re not thinking clearly.
“Hey, angel.” A gravelly voice stops me in my tracks.
A giant man is posted up in front of the door, arms crossed as he leans against the wall, too tall to fit in the doorframe.
His dark eyes slice through me, coal-black irises glinting with the same gratitude that glazed them when he came to on the pavement. His jeans strain over the thick muscles at his thighs, and his hoodie does little to hide his bulging biceps. Every inch of him is intimidating.
Damien .
I’m alone in a room with three giant hockey players. At least if I scream, a dozen hospital staff members will come running.
“No head injuries?” I ask.
“Not a scratch. Thanks to you.”
“I’m not a god . All I did was report an accident.”
“You did a lot more than that.” Knox’s voice floats out behind me, gentle and smooth as honey.
Damien nods at my pocket where my phone peeks out. “Give us your number. You can come visit us when we’re out of the hospital.”
“Why would I do that?”
His dark gaze rakes over every inch of me. “We’ll thank you properly.”
I laugh, even as the innuendo makes my skin burn in a way it hasn’t in years.
I can’t deny that his eyes stripping me makes my cells buzz with adrenaline.
Maybe even desire. But I just got out of a years-long shitty relationship, and I have no intention of starting any sort of relationship with another man anytime soon.
Let alone with three blatantly unhinged hockey players I barely know.
What kind of Devils did I unleash from hell tonight?
“You’ve thanked me. Multiple times. I’m good.”
“They already have too many visitors!” a male voice booms from the hallway.
A pair of boots stomps closer. “Go ahead and call security then!”
The feminine, husky voice is vaguely familiar.
Jesus. Who’s here now? We might as well invite the whole fucking hospital into this room.
The raven-haired girl from the party marches in. Juliet. Her leather jacket is open to expose her monochrome outfit. Sienna jogs to catch up with her, a coat over her tiny dress. Behind the girls, two ridiculously tall, red-faced men hustle to keep up with them.
Juliet rounds on Damien and smacks his arm. “You scared the shit out of me!” She whirls on Finn and Knox next. “You’re lucky you’re alive because I would’ve killed you if you died.”
Sienna rushes to hug Knox, teary-eyed as he rubs her back. One of the guys who followed the girls here narrows his eyes at Knox’s hands on her.
I really should’ve escaped this circus when I had the chance.
“Aurora, right?” Juliet nods at me. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“She saved our asses tonight,” Knox says.
Sienna lets go of him to rush to my side and throws her arms around me. A second hug in one night. I just met this girl.
“She saw the accident and called 911,” Damien tells their friends.
Through Sienna’s surprisingly suffocating squeeze, I manage to squeak out, “Now I’m their hero.”
“You’re a hero to all of us.” Sienna pulls back and fixes me with an expression so sincere, I’m torn between offering her a genuine smile and laughing in her face.
“You two saved my ass tonight.” I point at her and Juliet. “So let’s just call all of us even, cool?”
I’ve had enough chaos for the night. For the rest of my life. I’m ready to wash my hands of the Devils and go back into my shell—keep my eyes forward, focus on my music and classes, graduate, and head to Juilliard. Nothing else matters.
“Not even close, Rory.” Knox gives me a lopsided grin.
Rory . That’s new. “That’s not my name.”
“This is my boyfriend, Luke.” Sienna points to the adorable guy in the light gray sweatpants whose gaze has barely left her for more than five seconds since they walked in. “And that’s Juliet’s boyfriend, Trey.”
Trey is exactly the type of guy I’d picture for someone like Juliet with those lupine eyes, dark clothes, and possessive hands on her hips. Neither of the guys glances at me with much interest.
“Thanks for saving our teammates,” Luke offers.
Sienna nudges him with an elbow. “They’re your best friends.”
“Aww,” Trey drawls.
Luke flips him off.
I’d stick around to watch the show that has become unexpectedly amusing, but exhaustion is starting to hit, and if I can’t get a ride share, I’m walking home.
“Nice meeting everyone.” To Damien, Finn, and Knox, I add, “You’re welcome for saving your lives.
Anyway. I’m leaving now. Seriously. Goodbye. ”
I brush past their friends, and Sienna offers me a friendly smile. If I had room in my life for friends, I might actually invite them in.
On my way out, Damien catches me by the elbow. He looms over me, body heat radiating.
My heart leaps to my throat as his sultry gaze devours me.
All of them watch us.
“You never gave us your number, angel.”
I flash a sickly sweet smile up at him. “And I’m not going to.”
Trey lets out an amused chuckle. Luke bites his cheek to suppress his grin. Finn and Knox aren’t nearly as amused, and for a second, I almost feel bad for disappointing them.
Damien’s smile disappears too. He releases me, but his voice drops, too low for any of the others to hear. “We’re not letting you go again, Aurora. Every devil needs his angel.”