Page 52 of Good As Hell

Mollified, she nods then takes her leave.

Turning, I push open the door to the suite, covering my mouth when I see Fariq and Fi locked in a passionate kiss. Slowly backing out, I give them their privacy.

“So that’s the story,”Indigo tells me with way more cheerfulness than I would have after experiencing such a deep betrayal, and from her sister, no less.

“She needs help.” I say, clasping both her hands in mine.

“She does and she will, but I’m not going to be the one to save her this time. I’ve only enabled her. This one Thorne will have to figure out for herself. I used what little connections I had to secure my embassy position here with the help of my Love cousins, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.” She promises me.

“I really want you to think about your decision to not have your face attended to — but” I stop to add when she takes on a mutinous expression. The stitches covering the slash closing her still pretty face stretches from her temple, bisecting her right cheek, then beneath her nose to the lower half of her left cheek, and neck. “What ever you decide I support. I just want you to know the prince, and I have the best plastic surgeons in the world at your disposal.”

“I’m lucky to be alive,” she says in an upbeat tone. Then she squares me with a discerning stare. “If you’re uncomfortable with the way I look now, I understand.”

“Girl please,” I wave her words away and she giggles a little, but stop when her wound pulls. “I just don’t want you making rash decisions based on money or emotion.”

“I’m not. Promise.” Her smile remains steady but more importantly the determination in her eyes lets me know more than anything she means what she’s saying.

“Well, alright—” My words cut off in a gasp when I feel a stabbing pain in my pelvis. I feel a gush of wetness like when you stand up during the first days of your period.

Panic ripples through me.

“I-I’ll come and check on you later.” I manage seeing a small frown pucker on her face, but I don’t have time to reassure her as I make my way out of the room.

I feel the blood running down my legs as I hobble down the corridor from the guests suites to my own. By the time I cross the threshold, pain has me nearly doubled over and a blood trail follows me.

By the time I get to our bathroom, I’m dizzy and damn near crawling.

Collapsing on the cool tiles of the bathroom, I breathe a sigh of relief, pressing my burning skin against the marble.

I barely hear the alarm in the attendant’s voice when she calls out to me as darkness descends.

Chapter Eighteen

THE VOW

HASSAN

Umm: Lyric has fallen ill. You need to return home immediately.

Stepping into the suite of rooms we share or would share if kingdom business hadn’t been constantly keeping me away, I immediately notice the smell of cleanser mix with antiseptic, and the copper scent of blood.

Striding over to the door left ajar, I’m greeted by Umm and Fi sitting at my wife’s bedside. Both look drawn and tired, though Fi’s features look more haggard due to her recent ordeal. I can barely see Lyric’s small form beneath the covers. The lights have been dimmed; I assume, to allow her rest. Yet, the monitor beeping at the bedside and the IV lines trailing from her body lets me know just how serious whatever happened is.

Heart slamming in my chest, I take it all in. Noting the attendants silent, yet at the ready, should anyone need them.

This room is like they are keeping a vigil? What the hell happened here?

I want to scream it, but I know deep down the assailant is watching. We haven’t been able to make any connections to Asif. Fear creeps along my spine knowing that the coward is near. Watching every move of my family and the moment I left they struck.

Guilt slices through me no different than a scimitar. I allowed first my anger then the distraction of my work allow my family to be targeted.

The need for answers pushes me to face the women who were here to do what I did not.

“Umm?” Going over to her side I greet her kissing both cheeks. She looks up at me her eyes wet with unshed tears.

“Leave us.” She says in a firm yet still kind tone to the three nurses I didn’t notice when I entered who are standing like sentinels in the far corner of the room. The attendants following behind them all giving little bows.

I knew from her brief message that is was grave but looking at Lyric now she seems to be barely hangin on.

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