Page 38 of Jezebel’s Liberation (Hellfire Hackers #1)

“ J ez, are you guys okay?”

Standing in the corner where Phantom carried me after Demon demanded he ‘take care of’ me, Phantom tugs his shirt off and pulls it over my head to cover my nakedness. I know Demon was going to cover me earlier, but I’d been seeing red and didn’t give him the chance.

My eyes search for the tatted biker, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when I spot him in Malice’s embrace.

Malice’s expressions morph from anger to fear and back to anger.

I know what he’s thinking. These men died way too quick, and he wishes their suffering could’ve been drawn out in The Confessional.

“W-w-we’re okay,” I stutter. “Thanks, ladies, for everything.” Phantom looks at me with a raised brow, and I point to my ear. “Coms,” I answer his silent question.

“We’ll let the club take over from here,” Diabla’s voice wobbles.

Soul marches over to me and gathers me in his arms, forcing Phantom to release me. “What were you thinking, Jez?” His voice is laced with worry. “We were… I was almost… I don’t know…”

“It was dumb,” I admit for the first time today. “Demon and I needed to do this ourselves… for him. Besides you, Malice, and Grim, no one understands the hell Demon went through. I couldn’t let him do it alone, Soul.”

“You should’ve come to me,” he admonishes. “All of us could’ve come up with a plan that didn’t involve either of you ending up abused, again. ”

“I was so determined to put space between me and the club, I didn’t stop and think,” I sob into Soul’s shirt. “It’s all my fault. I dragged Demon back into the fire pits of his own personal Hell.”

“The fuck it is,” Demon growls as he yanks me out of Soul’s embrace. “This isn’t your fault, Jez. All the blame rests at my feet… If I hadn’t been so consumed with revenge, none of this would’ve happened.”

Phantom wraps his arms around both of us as we cry together. “You’re both safe now, and that’s all that matters. They’ll never hurt you or anyone else ever again,” he vows.

“You saved us.” Demon’s voice is thick with emotion.

“I’ll always be there to save you,” Phantom declares. “Even when you pull stupid shit like today.”

My heart pounds heavily in my chest, and although it’s probably not the most appropriate time, I blurt out the first thing that pops into my head. “I fucking love you both, so much.”

Not the most romantic way to tell someone you love them for the first time.

Phantom rears back before he lifts me off my feet, and my legs wrap around his waist instinctively. “I fucking love you, Jezebel.”

I press my mouth to his. His tongue demands entry, and I gladly oblige. A moment later, I’m twisted around and passed over to Demon.

“I’ve loved you since we were kids, Jez,” Demon confesses. “And I’ll love you until my last dying breath.” With that proclamation, he seals his promise with a soul-shattering kiss.

“Awww,” Thorn says, breaking the spell we’re under and starting an annoying slow clap.

I glare over Demon’s shoulder at him and Spike, who’s wiping his eyes as though he’s crying.

“It’s such a beautiful Hallmark moment,” Spike jests, and all the guys chuckle.

I flip him off as Demon lowers me back to the floor. Soul orders the prospects, minus Phantom, to start cleaning up.

“I want you three back at the clubhouse so Abyss can look you over,” Soul declares. I shake my head. “Jez, you have open wounds on yo?—”

“I know,” I interrupt. “I just want to go home. Abyss can meet us at my house and assess us there.

“Fine,” Soul agrees, his sigh telling me how relieved he is that I’m not putting up a fight. “Let’s go.”

We follow behind him and load up in the back of one of the SUVs. Phantom and Demon’s Harley’s are loaded onto the trailer someone thought to bring, and I’m glad because I don’t think I can be apart from either of them right now.

As we pull away from the warehouse, a huge explosion rocks our vehicle.

“That’s one way to get rid of the bodies,” Phantom mumbles.

I try to fight it, but my eyes drift shut with Demon’s hand on my thigh and my head resting on Phantom’s shoulder. Nightmares invade my sleep, and I’m unable to wake myself up. The feeling of hands groping my body and Betts’ face lingers, but this time, I’m not silent. Screams erupt from my throat.

“Baby, come back to us,” Phantom’s voice calls from the distance.

“Jez, you’re safe now,” Demon assures me. “Wake up, baby, please.”

My eyes flutter open as we’re pulling into my driveway. “It was just a nightmare,” I mutter under my breath, embarrassed.

Soul’s eyes flash with worry as he watches from the front seat.

“I’m fine,” I assure them all. “Nothing a stiff drink can’t fix.”

Nobody laughs at my failed attempt at humor, and Phantom opens the door and hauls me out.

Carrying me bridal style, he waits for Demon to unlock the front door of my house.

Once we’re inside, Phantom makes his way to the couch and sits down with me in his lap.

I’m too exhausted to move, and truth be told, I feel safe with his arms around me.

I’m about to slip into another exhausted sleep when the sound of rumbling thunder has me jerking my head up.

Short moments later, there’s a light knock on the door, but it swings open before anyone can answer it. Malice and Abyss enter wearing matching apprehensive looks.

Malice tips his head in Demon’s direction. “You good?”

“I’m good,” Demon answers.

He’s holding it together better than I am.

My eyes follow Abyss as he slowly approaches me like I’m a wounded animal. It pisses me off because he’s treating me differently than he usually does. Besides, I know none of these men would ever hurt me.

Abyss kneels in front of me. “Why don’t we go upstairs where it’s a little more private? You don’t need an audience.”

I nod and start to untangle myself from Phantom’s hold. I lead Abyss toward the staircase, Phantom and Demon hot on our tails.

“You guys stay here.” My voice wobbles. “This will only take a few minutes.”

“We’re coming with you,” Phantom protests. “You don’t have to d?—”

Demon searches my face before pulling Phantom back. “She’ll be okay. Abyss will check her out.”

I give him a grateful smile and climb the stairs slowly, listening to the voices below.

“Damn it, Demon,” Phantom hisses. “We shouldn’t be leaving her alone right now.”

“I know my twin,” Soul says delicately. “She’s holding on by a thread. Jez is going to break, and it’ll be up to you two to put her back together.”

“Always,” Demon proclaims.

“But let her get through the medical bullshit first,” Soul says, and then there’s nothing but silence.

I sniffle as I enter my room but refuse to let the tears fall.

I have no right to feel this broken at the moment.

Demon relived his worst fears and trauma because of my stubborn ass stupidity.

None of this would’ve happened if I’d just let the club help.

My pride once again got in the way of not only my safety, but the safety of my men.

Abyss drops his medical bag on the bed and gestures toward the bathroom. “Why don’t you take a few minutes for yourself. I’ll get set up out here.”

“Okay,” I mumble. I grab a pair of panties and shorts from my dresser. I reach for a bra but decide against it since one of the wounds that needs to be treated is on my breast. It’ll just get in the way.

When I enter the en suite, I stare in the mirror at the bruised woman reflected back at me. Gripping the sink for balance, my breaths are quick and shallow, and I have to fight back the nausea that crawls up my throat. I’m not sure how much time passes before a light tapping hits the closed door.

“You okay in there, Jez?” Abyss calls out.

I steal my spine. “Yeah, I’m coming.”

I change quickly, tossing Phantom’s shirt onto the floor. When I exit the bathroom, I move over to the swivel glider in the corner of my room. Abyss approaches with a kind, gentle smile.

“I know this is the last thing you want to do,” Abyss comments.

I sigh. “Let’s just get it over with.”

He looks at me, his expression pained. “Jez, were you raped?” he asks softly.

I tremble at his question. “No,” I answer honestly.

I wasn’t technically raped. Assaulted, yes, raped no. Luckily, Phantom stopped them before anything could go further.

“Where are you injured?”

I lift the shirt over my head, and Abyss curses under his breath.

“Someone fucking bit you?” he asks rhetorically.

I hiss in pain as he dabs the bite with alcohol.

After he cleans the wound, he covers it with a bandage and proceeds to check my other injuries.

He applies antibacterial cream to the cuts where Betts sliced my bra straps, and when he’s done, I tug my shirt back over my head.

Abyss takes my vitals and asks his routine questions.

“Do you want me to give you something to help you sleep?” I shake my head vehemently. “Okay, I’ll get out of here. Apply this ointment three times a day, and try to get some rest,” he says.

“Thank you,” I say gratefully.

He squeezes my shoulder in silent support and begins packing up his supplies as Demon and Phantom burst through the door.

Abyss zips up his bag and turns to leave. “They lasted longer than I thought they would.”

“She gonna be okay, Doc?” Phantom asks.

“I’m right fucking here,” I sass.

Abyss grins. “Jez’ll be fine.”

“Again, sitting right fucking here,” I snap.

“Bye, Jez,” Abyss calls over his shoulder. “You’ve got your hands full with these two.”

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter.

Phantom follows Abyss, and a moment later, the front door slams. Phantom pounds back up the stairs. The weight of his scrutiny does me in, and I burst into tears.

“I-I-I’m so sorry,” I wail. “Forgive me, please.”

Phantom’s mouth drops open in shock as sobs wrack my body. It only takes seconds for Demon and Phantom to spring into action. Demon scoops me off the chair and rocks me in his arms.

“No, baby, no,” Phantom consoles as he rubs circles along my back. “There’s nothing to forgive.”