Page 29 of The Devil’s Escape (The Devil’s Soldiers #7)

“Ewwww, why do you keep doing that?” a young female voice asks in exasperation.

Wait, I know that voice. I turn my head and see the teenage girl that Nikolai dragged into my cell walking inside, her lips twisted a grimace, Thea right behind her, trying to hide her laughter, though apparently not carefully enough because the girl turns to glare at her and huffs, “Don’t think you’re off the hook on this.

I saw you kissing your man when you thought I wasn’t looking and acting like you were going to eat each other’s face off.

” Then she looks back toward me and I see her looking at Avery.

“I need to get some noise-cancelling headphones. I don’t know which one it was, but one of these two couples is not quiet, and I don’t need to hear that.

I still don’t know how Sawyer slept through it.

You know what, I’m making all of you pinatas if I don’t get some sleep. ”

Thea and Rose burst out laughing, while Bullet and Medic share a look. I can’t quite make it out, but I do see a mixture of amusement and exasperation. There’s a story there somewhere.

“Isla, tone down the crazy,” Avery says mildly as she starts to apply something to my back.

It’s cold and I shiver, making her smirk at me when I turn my head to glare at her.

“What other people do is not your business, but yes, if someone is willing to go out and get a pair for you, then maybe that would be for the best. And the only one who’s going to be a pinata is you if you try to kick me out of bed again like you did before.

” I hiss when she presses a little too hard on one of the spots on my back, but she just gives me a mild stare and says, “Don’t be a baby, that was barely anything. ”

“Says the sadist,” I grunt. Still, it feels nice to have her hands on me again. There’s something calm and soothing about them.

“See, I’m not the only one who thinks you’re too rough,” Isla states righteously as she moves closer to me.

She looks down at me when I turn my head to look at her, her eyes the same matching blue as Avery’s.

Then her gaze moves over my exposed back and I see her eyes flash with sympathy and a little bit of horror, before they move back to mine.

“That looks like it hurts. But I can see why Avery and Rose keep ogling your butt. It’s really muscular, and from the size of you, I say you probably work out, right? ”

“Isla,” Avery warns, gloves snapping as she pulls them off.

“What? I’m fifteen and I have eyes. I can see when a man’s good-looking.”

Avery sighs. “Well, this one is too old for you. Go, ogle one of the Prospects. They’re at least closer to you in age.”

“I prefer my man older,” Isla replies slyly.

“Crypt especially. You’ve seen him, right?

He’d give this guy a run for his money. No offense, big guy.

” She pats my shoulder lightly, careful to avoid any of the areas cut up.

“You’re good-looking, but Crypt looks a little less… walking dead and more living.”

Thea and Rose are almost on the floor laughing now, while Avery looks at her sister like she’s not sure if she should laugh or send her to her room.

I can’t see Medic or Bullet anymore, but I’m sure they find this whole thing interesting.

Personally, I find it equally entertaining and concerning.

She’s like an older version of Macy, but just a couple steps down from Rose.

“None taken,” I answer finally, because what else can I say?

“Out,” Avery orders. “Everyone out so that the patient can get some sleep.”

I hear a lot of movement as people start to leave the room, but Isla doesn’t move, she just looks down at me and smiles.

“I’m Isla, by the way, and if Avery gets too bossy, let me know.

I’ll mess with her shit and she’ll be too pissed off at me to bother you for a bit.

” Then she pats my shoulder again and walks away, whistling softly.

“It’s like looking into the future, isn’t it?

” Medic snickers, and I turn my head to see him grinning at Bullet.

“Just think, Macy, the two that Quinn is cooking up, and Syn’s little one.

Not to mention the others that will probably come along soon enough.

And that one, if she’s around long enough, she’s going to lead them all.

Well, until she’s off at college and Macy takes over her rightful place as leader. ”

“I’ll be retiring to a hot sunny place where I can spend the days sexing up my wife and leaving all that shit to the rest of you,” Bullet drawls before he moves toward me, ignoring Avery who is watching him critically. “We’ll talk later when you’re more awake, alright?” he says quietly.

“Got it, Prez,” I murmur, already feeling myself getting sucked back under as my eyes get heavy.

The room blessedly goes dim and I hear someone else moving around before Medic comes over. “I need to get some sleep, but Avery said she’ll stay with you to make sure that you’re good. If you need me, she’ll get one of the guys to come and get me.”

“I’m good,” I whisper. Then he’s gone, and I start to drift off until I hear Avery moving around close to me, and force my eyes back open.

She’s cleaning something up, not paying attention to me, and I just watch her for a moment.

She’s so confident in everything she’s doing, her movements sure and efficient.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, making her still and look over at me in surprise.

“What?”

“Thank you,” I repeat. “Without you, I’d never have gotten out of there.”

She stares at me a moment and then shrugs awkwardly. “I did what I could. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you out of there sooner. I didn’t know if I could trust your MC, and I had to be careful for my siblings.” She hesitates and then adds softly, “I was terrified that we’d lose you.”

“I like to think I’m harder to kill than that,” I reply lightly. I awkwardly move my hand to cup the side of her cheek. It pulls on my ribs and the stitches but I don’t care about any discomfort. “I’m alright, angel. I promise.”

I half expect her to pull away from me, put some distance between us, but instead she leans into my hold, her hand coming up to cover mine. There’s a small shift, something clicking, and I desperately want to kiss her, but I can’t at this angle. I’m not sure she’d accept it either.

I know that I want Avery to be mine. Not just because of the circumstances or some sense of repayment. She’s exactly the kind of woman I’ve always wanted for myself. Strong, funny, and smart. Once I’m out of this bed, I’ll have to get to work on that.

She finally lowers her hand and pulls away, but I see the look of uncertainty in her eyes. She’s feeling this pull too, and she doesn’t know how to handle it. Good thing I have enough experience for the both of us.

“Are you comfortable? Do you want me to set up the same way I had before so you can sleep on your side?” she asks me briskly. Her hand lands on my back again, like she can’t help herself. I resist the urge to curl into her touch or pull her down onto the bed with me. Which reminds me…

“I like sleeping on my belly,” I say as my eyes get heavy. “But you can do that if you want, angel. Why do I remember you being in my arms? Or was I dreaming?”

She’s quiet for a moment before she finally admits, “The only way you would stay calm was if you were holding onto me. Kept saying you needed to protect your angel.”

Huh. I wasn’t expecting that, but I’m not seeing a problem.

“Maybe you should crawl back in here with me then,” I invite.

“Make sure I don’t do something crazy again.

” I’d like nothing better than to have her in here with me.

Something tells me I’ll sleep better and we can keep building this connection we have.

She chuckles softly and brushes a hand over my hair. “You’re fine, big guy. Besides, I have a job to do, and I can’t do that if you’re trying to get me into bed with you, right? You go to sleep and I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Thanks, angel.” I allow the pull of sleep to claim me, and move my head into her hand. She might be a bit of a devil, but she’s always going to be an angel to me.