Page 24 of His Paradise

He snorts a laugh and I watch as his face splits into a malicious grin. “Tell them I am always up to hearing them out, but they’ll be getting their precious son back in pieces.” He hangs up and shakes his head while staring down at the screen.

“What was that about?”

“David’s parents apparently got wind that we have their shitty kid. They want to offer us something they don’t think we can refuse. As if anything like that exists.” He scrapes his fingers through my hair, gently tipping my head back to press a kiss to my forehead.

“He’s still alive?” Fear ripples through me and my hand flies to Leo’s chest as he yawns sleepily on the bed next to me. I can see the rage flicker behind Aden’s eyes but he shakes his head and grips my hair just enough to keep my attention.

“Nina, he won’t touch you ever again. Do you hear me? I couldn’t let him get off so easily, and there is something I need from him before his miserable existence finally comes to an end at my hand.” The confidence in his voice should be enough, but every wound across my body throbs in time with my racing heartbeat as a reminder of what that monster can do. A soft knock at the door draws Aden away when the light flicks on. Isabelle is standing in the doorway with her arms hugged tightly around her body.

“Nina,” She breathes out, stepping closer. Aden scoops up Leo, turning his back as he gives us a minute. The second I open my arms, she rushes forward and hugs me so tightly it takes my breath away and tears sting in my eyes.

“Easy, she’s hurt.” Aden taps Isabelle’s arms and she pulls back with a laugh, brushing a hand over her shining eyes. “She’s fucking alive, Aden. I’m so proud of all of you for bringing them both home in one piece.” She says, and I clear my throat to swallow the lump that forms.

Except I’m not in one piece, and neither is Olivia. Percy hasn’t left her side from what I’ve heard, but she won’t get out of bed unless he drags her. She won’t even let our parents visit her and I’m trying to be understanding and patient, but I’m ready to go break her door down so I can see her myself.

Markus is lurking in the doorway, watching us closely. I can see Aden’s father behind him, but he doesn’t look at me before turning and walking out. The tapping of his cane follows as he leaves, and my stomach sinks more with every step. He blames me for this, I’m sure of it and I don’t blame him.

We all file out, squeezing back into Luna’s room. I’m grateful Jared made sure she was put into one of the larger suites, and I sit on the edge of her bed as Aden hands Leo back to me.

“Your nephew misses you, and they grow so quickly that you can’t afford to miss a moment. You’ll understand when your little one gets here, Luna. I hope they have your strength, because there were a hundred times before that you could have given up but you didn’t. So don’t give up now, okay?” I clench my eyes shut, gripping her hand tightly in mine.

Tears fall, dark spots spreading over Leo’s blanket as he sleeps.

A flutter.

Nothing more than a twitch, but I hold my breath nonetheless. “Luna?” my voice is a croak as I lean forward, staring at her closed eyes.

Jared stands so suddenly that his chair flies backwards, crashing to the ground. In one long stride he is kneeling next to the bed, cradling Luna’s other hand in his own.

“She squeezed my hand!” He roars the words, and Leo kicks up a fit at the loud sounds. Her eyes flicker back and forth behind closed lids, but we all see it and when she squeezes Jared’s hand once again, he loses all composure.

His head drops to her shoulder as his large body covers hers. “Live, Lunatic. Live for me.” He says, and suddenly the room is swarmed by doctors and nurses that force everyone out except for Jared.

Leo is crying loudly as I bounce him, all of us in shock until Isabelle dives into Alec’s arms. I lean against Aden, my energy nearly draining as relief rushes through me.

“Looks like the big guy won’t be tearing this building down with his bare hands today after all.” Markus grins. Isabelle stands between them, laughing as she rubs at her puffy eyes. I notice that both of the men are touching her stomach, speaking to each other as if it’s just instinct.

If there is justice, if there is any higher power, Luna will pull through this just fine. We all deserve a happy ending.

Chapter twenty-one

Aden

She has changed. Nobody could blame her, after the Hell she endured, but Nina was different. I had never seen her lose her temper this way. The physical therapist was staring daggers at me, but I was just a spectator here. The vase pieces scattered across the ground surrounded by the wilting flowers weren't actually thrown at him, so I don’t know why he was looking for backup. Nina is panting, sweat dripping from her brow as she stares at her feet.

“Your distance is improving, so obviously you’re making progress.” I say, peering at her over my mug as I sip my coffee. The look she gives me would make most wither, but it just makes my cock hard.

Her eyes flick to the obvious tent in the front of my flannel lounge pants as I grin. The physical therapist averts his gaze blowing out a breath.

“I told you that regaining full use of your arm would take time. You sustained serious damage to the muscle and tendons. That isn’t something that will magically repair itself.” Roger mutters, and Nina growls.

She actually growls and I can’t stop my laughter. Her anger turns to me, but I watch her clutch her trembling arm with her stronger one and it cuts me short. “Leo needs you to not give up, my heart.” I remind her. This only pisses her off more as she grabs the weight, gripping it tight and I raise a brow. I was expecting it to sail across the room, but she grips it firmly, puffing a breath in and out as she holds her arm out.

“That’s my girl,” I say, winking at her as I walk out of the room, brushing past her physical therapist. “Learn to duck, bud. If she wanted to hit you, she would’ve.” I smirk when he takes a step further away from her. Before I make it to the couch, my phone vibrates and I roll my eyes when I see Percy’s name on the screen.

“Olivia is asking to see her sister.” He says. That makes my eyebrows shoot upwards, Olivia has been refusing to see anyone for the last week that they’ve been home. “I’m bringing her to your house, she needs to get out.”

“I’ll let Nina know.” I say, hanging up. He still pisses me off, I don’t give a shit if he helped her sister. Percy and Grayson both stood aside while my wife was beaten, assaulted and could have been so much worse.

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