Page 50 of Sin

“You show your face in Missouri again, you’ll wish for death before I’m through with you.”

“Get back to the hospital,” Brim told them. “Be with your girl. Thorn and I will take care of these two.”

“Thanks, Boss,” Ares said before placing his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

As they left, Ares knew the next time they saw Vincent, he’d be hanging from somewhere high.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The beeping of a machine had Adira fluttering her eyes open. She stared at the tiled ceiling for a moment before turning her head. Hunter stared down at his phone as he scrolled. As if sensing her stare, he looked up and jerked upright when he saw she was awake.

“Baby girl,” he said scooting forward. He took her hand in his. “Hello there.”

“W-what,” she mumbled, falling silent. She licked her lips. “Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital,” he told her. “You had surgery. Do you remember what happened?”

Her mind swam and it took a moment for a memory to surface. Then, when it did, she gasped and struggled to sit up. Hunter pressed a hand on her chest, halting her, but even if he hadn’t done that, the pain would have prohibited any movement.

“My father shot me,” she said softly. Tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

“Are you in pain?” Hunter demanded. “Where’s the nurse button? Damn it! Where the hell is the nurse button?”

At that moment, the door opened and Ares walked in, carrying two bottles of soda. When he saw Hunter distressed, he put the sodas on the sink counter and hurried over.

“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously. “Is something … Adira!”

“She’s in pain,” Hunter told him.

“No—”

“Why haven’t you pressed the intercom?”

“Dude, I’m searching for it!”

“I’m okay—”

“It has to be around here somewhere.”

“Guys, I’m okay.” They didn’t seem to hear her, so she got louder. “Hunter. Ares. Stop.”

They stopped and looked at her. She gave them a wan smile.

“I’m okay. No pain.”

Ares picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’m so glad to see those baby blues, sweetheart.”

“My father shot me,” she whispered brokenly, tears welling up in her eyes.

“We know,” Hunter said. “Look, we have some bad news.”

She searched his face and then looked over at Ares. “What is it?”

“Your father, um. He…” Hunter’s voice faded.

“He needed to be punished,” Ares said flatly.

Something in his tone caused her to tense. “Has he been arrested?”

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