Page 42 of Sadistic Obsession (Rise of Phoenyxx #1)

H unter

My apartment is on the ground floor of the boys’ dorm, in the back right section of the hallway. This floor is generally for male staff and the occasional student who can’t be placed with others.

I usher Valley and Brian to my door, unlocking it and throwing open the door. “Go in, I’m right behind you.” We get inside, anxiously waiting for the others.

Within seconds, Razor bursts through the door, almost dragging Synn, with Trikk’s help. Right behind them is Ghost, carrying Phoenyxx like she's fragile. Frost and Purge bring up the rear.

“Take him to the sofa,” I direct. “Ghost, bring her to me,” I instruct as I sit in my overstuffed recliner.

“No,” he says with a glare.

“Fine,” I grit out. “Sit where she'll be comfortable.”

He goes to sit on the opposite sofa when Synn interjects. “No, next to me.”

Ghost raises a brow but sits down next to him.

Pretty Girl perks up enough to partially slide into Synn’s lap, shocking the hell out of everyone.

He lowers his arms, rubbing circles on her bare skin.

Ghost pulls off his shirt, directing her to raise her arms to slide it on.

“Synn, put this on,” he says, handing him the button-down I put over Pretty Girl.

The other guys flop down on the other sofa, Bryan dragging Valley onto his lap. Frost speaks first. “What the FUCK happened to you both?” His eyes dart between Phoenyxx and Synn.

Synn speaks first. “They bandaged us, but then, they strapped us down to our beds, with IVs giving us drugs and fluids. They wouldn’t even let us eat!”

“Yeah,” a dry-mouthed Phoenyxx agrees. “They did bring us food eventually, and let us go to the bathroom, but only with staff.”

“Until we tried to escape, anyway,” Synn adds, clenching his fist in anger. “We woke up strapped down to cold metal tables. No food or water, no bathroom. Then...they also gave us...treatments.”

“Treatments?” I ask, with a frown.

“Shock treatments, old-school ones. It hurt like fuck and knocked us both out. Pazessca was having fucking seizures when they brought her back!”

“They put something on our heads,” Pretty Girl whispers. “I’ve never felt so much pain before.”

Purge turns and punches the sofa cushion. Razor gets up and starts to pace. Valley is crying uncontrollably.

“I...” I start, not even sure what to say. “I had NO idea they even had that kind of equipment here. Especially something so dated and dangerous.”

“What do we do?” Frost asks.

“You guys will hate this, but I was warned to forget everything. I had to sign something saying I would keep my mouth shut, in order to get these two back.” I explain.

“Oh, HELL NO!” Trikk shouts.

“Like HELL,” Bryan growls, making Valley cry harder.

“Listen up, everyone. You are ALL in danger right now. We will come up with a plan, but until then, we say nothing.”

“Hunter.” Pretty Girl gets my attention, and I move to her side. “Can we stay here, or go back to our dorms?” I am so tempted to keep her here, but I know it would raise too many eyebrows.

“Boys, go back to your apartment. Phoenyxx, can you stay with Valley?”

“NO,” Synn replies. “She stays with US!”

“Val can stay with me,” Bryan cuts in.

“Fine,” I answer, with a long sigh. “You guys take some time to rest for now.”

Nods all around. “I have to step out for a few minutes. Stay here, I’ll be back in a bit.” I tell them.

“Don’t,” Pretty Girl pleads. I step forward, wiping the tear from her eye gently.

“I’m just making a call, Pretty Girl. I'll be right back.”

I step out the door, finding an alcove in the corner to place my call to ZYGOS. They need to be briefed immediately.

Phoenyxx

I cling to Ghost and Synn, needing the closeness. My heart breaks seeing Valley so upset. I slowly unfold myself from them to stand on shaky legs. They go to stop me, but I tell them, “I’ll be okay. Just checking on Valley.”

I stumble towards her and Bryan, crouching down. “Bestie...” Her head whips up from Bryan's chest, reaching out for me. I throw my arms around her, and we both go to the floor. We are entwined, both crying and rocking each other. “I love you so much,” I choke out.

“Ditto,” she replies, squeezing me harder. After a moment, I go to pull back. “Never leave me again, Nyx, okay?”

“I promise!”

I hear slow footsteps behind me, and I turn my head, seeing Razor, carrying a plate and a bottle of water. I can smell the amazing scent of pancakes and...BACON...Oh yeah...

I jump up, eagerly snatching the food and water from him. “Thanks,” I tell him, then go and sit back down next to Ghost and Synn. I pop the bottle open, tipping it back to guzzle. I choke, sputtering.

“Easy, Malishka, go slow,” Ghost tells me. I take another sip, placing the bottle on the table in front of me. Razor walks over, with another plate and bottle for Synn.

I take a huge bite, moaning at the explosion of sweetness and saltiness. Synn does the same, moaning. I take another bite, grinning at him with a stuffed mouth. He laughs, actually LAUGHS, and does the same. We both giggle like kids. It's effortless. And confuses the shit out of me...

“Whoa,” I hear Trikk whisper. “Did he laugh?”

Frost rounds the sofa, kneeling down in front of me.

He lightly grabs my throat, looking me in the eye.

“It seems Killer has done things to all of us.” He leans in to touch his lips to mine, and I lean in with a soft sigh.

I squeeze my thighs together, hoping it’s not noticed.

I pull back, looking at him. His eyes swim with something. ..surely, he’s not feeling, is he?

“Frost... Are you...” He silences me with another shattering kiss.

Synn growls next to me, pulling me into his side. “Mine,” he affirms.

Ghost squeezes me on the other side, placing soft kisses on my neck. “Mine,” he whispers.

My heart pounds when Purge and Razor both approach. They lean down, each biting the side of my neck. Razor pulls my lip in between his teeth, drawing a bit of blood. Purge licks it off my lips. “Mine,” they both say.

Trikk comes to me next. He shoves Synn out of the way, forcing him to move to the other sofa.

“Bambi,” he breathes out. He wraps me up in his strong arms, rubbing circles on my back.

His eyes never leave mine when his lips touch mine.

The world explodes, making every cell in my body come to life.

“I love you, Trikk,” I say softly, needing him to know how I feel.

His eyes swim with tears, and he answers back, “I love you so much, Bambi.”

I take a breath, looking over to Valley and Brian. “I may be slightly jelly,” she jokes, making me laugh. These are my people. I am so fucking grateful for each and every one.

Hunter

I stride far enough away from my apartment to not be overheard, but I still have eyes on the door.

I hit call for my contact, and he answers on the first ring.

“I have major news. I was threatened with my SISTER, Cynthia. My fucking missing sister! Augustine gave me an ultimatum. Sign a document saying neither I nor any of the students will speak a word about what we saw or heard. This is bigger than we thought.”

He pauses on the other end. “We need more intel, more than what we have now. I will put my guys on it, but I think we need to pull you for now while we narrow this down.”

My mouth opens and closes, my brain stuttering. “I can’t leave the girl. She and Joseph went through hell.”

“I understand. Unfortunately, our hands are metaphorically tied. We need you secure while we look into all of this.”

Fuck! “When do I have to leave?”

“Immediately. We'll send a car.”

“The students are in my apartment right now. I'll have to send them away.”

“It will be about twenty minutes before they get to you. Do what you need to. Don't say anything, though.”

“Yeah,” I respond, silencing the call. I have to leave without telling Pretty Girl. I hope those damn boys take care of her!

I turn back to go inside, thinking of a good excuse. “Listen up, everyone. I think it’s best if you all go back to your rooms. Phoenyxx, go with the guys. Valley goes to Bryan's room.”

She startles, “Right now?”

“Yes, we have to be very careful right now. You'll be safe. Right, BOYS?”

A chorus of yeses and hell yeahs echo through the room. They all move to get up. Trikk and Ghost help Pretty Girl, and Razor and Purge help Synn.

They all go to file out. On her way out, Pretty Girl stops, raising a hand to my face, trailing her fingers across my skin. “Thank you, Hunter,” a million unspoken emotions in her eyes. I kiss her palm.

“Go, you’ll be fine.” I’m choking down my own emotions as I watch her go.