Page 8 of Hell on Wheels

The room is silent for a moment as they digest that information, and Angelo takes charge. “Damon hacked the hospital database while we were talking. Apollonia isn’t dead, but she might as well be—permanent vegetative state. The roster for the Sickos doesn’t include any Seelie Fae, so he'll have to do some digging to find out who they tapped.”

Reb grits his teeth and growls. “Who else runs with them? We know three of them and two wildcards. Were there more than that, little sister?”

“Stop calling me little sister!”That gets a laugh from all of them and I frown, going back to eating so I can ignore them. In between bites, I try to think about the shadows and voices from last night. “The girl she kissed probably wasn't Seelie, so that’s two. I know at least five people carried me out, including BJand Apollonia. So, at least seven women, and probably someone waiting in the car for the getaway.”

Archie hands me a napkin before I need it and I give him a grateful smile. He crosses his arms over his chest, looking over at Angelo. “That’s possibly their whole starting line-up and most of the second stringers. For the entire team to come out like that, they got paid. This wasn’t a random act of vengeance or an initiation.”

“I agree, Archer. Mina doesn’t have enough sway to deploy the entire team—her followers aren’tthathigh. Someone ordered this, and thoseputtanastook the contract.”

Swallowing hard, I stare at my hands as I whisper, “I came to that conclusion when you were gone. It was short notice, but well planned and executed with specific weapons. It had to be for hire.”

“Who the fuck did you two piss off?” Javi mutters as he gathers up the containers.

“No one!” Rebel and I shout at the same time.

Archie snorts. “The list of who they haven’t pissed off is much shorter, and that’s only the people we know about. Neither of them is known for their diplomacy.”

I punch his thigh and the rock hard skating muscles make my knuckles sting. Fucking athletes and their stupid, sexy legs. “Shut your face. He didn’t askyou.”

Narrowing his eyes, Archie flips me off. “The two of you areliars, Wheels. You have a fuck ton of rivals and enemies—pretending that either of you are angels doesn’t help us keep you safe.”

This guy… he’s completely off his rocker today.

“We’reGuardians. They train us for this shit. Now help me get this place cleaned up so I can go home and sleep for a week while the rest of my body heals.” Silence descends again, and I glare at them all. “What?”

They all share alookand snap into a game of ‘rock, paper, scissors.’ After three sets, Damon throws his hands up and groans.

“Look, Sparkles. We discussed this in the car on the way over, and we’re not comfortable with you going back to your place alone. Even less so now that we’ve decided this is bigger than a chick fight.”

They didwhat.

Fury fills my veins, and I have to consciously work not to let my wings pop out as my anger swamps my system.

Howdarethey discuss me like I’m some feeble damsel in distress they have to rescue from a supervillain?

“Uh-oh,” Archie whispers.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I grit my teeth against the pain as I give them my nastiest stare. “Who thefuckdo you dickwaffles think you are? You’re notcomfortable?! Newsflash:noneof you are my goddamned supervisor!”

Rebel lets out a long-suffering sigh, raking his hand through his hair. “Don’t be a bitch about this, sis.”

Don’t be a… is he shitting me right now?!

It takes all my energy to keep from screaming like a dying banshee at their misogynistic bullshit. I may have grown up with them, but none of them isactuallymy big brother, not evenRebel. They can all get fucked if they think they’re going to order me around like a child.

“Listen up, fuckheads. If you think I’m going to?—”

Javi holds his hands up pleadingly. “Mi alma, please. No one is suggesting you can’t take care of yourself. We’re worried that because your injuries are serious, you’ll have enough trouble doing day-to-day things, much less defending yourself. It’s only until you heal, I promise.”

Goddamnit. Always with the voice of reason, that one.

I consider his statement, sighing heavily. He’s not wrong and acting like he is won’t help anything. “Fine. What do you propose I do? I can’t stay with Graciella and Odhran; they’ll snitch to the Council for brownie points.”

“They hate when you call them by their given names, but you’re right,” Rebel admits. “Dad would tell Mum to keep quiet if it had been me, but he’d rather get the kudos for you.”

Fucking amazing. Rebneveradmits they treat him better.

Archie nods and rolls to his feet. “That’s why you’re coming home with us, Wheels.”

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