Page 46 of Evil Beautiful

I’ve been living in Cape Town for years and I’ve heard the whispers about the two of them. The whispers said they were underworld kings and I believed it. They were involved in dark things that had spilled over into my life when Gideon and I started dating.

“Hey you.” A cheery voice interrupted my dark thoughts and I grinned even though it made my lips stretch uncomfortably.

“Damn, I’m glad to finally see a smiling face. It’s been doom and gloom around here for days. Gideon is walking around as tense as an overwound clock. His latest decree is that I’m not allowed to go home because it isn’t safe. Apparently I’m going to be staying with the Iron Dogz until he is sure it’s safe for me to go home.” I complained in a voice that even I knew sounded suspiciously whiney.

Pixie had been grinning but it disappeared very quickly. “I see someone has had enough of being stuck in a hospital bed. And, Kell, you know if Gideon says it’s not safe for you to be at home then he’s telling the truth. I know he and my brother are pains in the ass about security but after what happened to you I think it’s wise to be a little more careful. Listen to him and let him keep you safe. I want you to get well and come back to work, we miss you.”

I gave a dejected sigh because she was right. “I know he’s doing it for my safety. I was just looking forward to going home and getting back to normal. And even though I’ve done some ink for the guys at the Iron Dogz, essentially I’ll be on my own there. I miss work and my friends and surfing. All I want is to get out of here and get back to my life.”

“What did the doctors say about your injuries?” She asked the question no one else asked.

The one that’s been the elephant in the room with my family. Even with Gideon.

So I answered her truthfully.

“They’re happy with my progress so far. They don’t think there will be any problems getting and sustaining an erection but we will only know once it happens. I’m on some fucked up medication that stops me from getting a hard on while my dick heals. I don’t even get morning wood. According to the doctors sex is off the table for the time being.”

Taking my hand in hers she squeezed then smiled a sweet smile. She was beautiful when she didn’t smile. Smiling just made her more so.

“You’ll recover and your dick will be as good as new. Before you know it you’ll be back to regular morning wood and having sex. All you have to do is be patient, give yourself time to heal.”

I gave a tiny shrug. “I know, I was just feeling sorry for myself for some reason.”

She once again gently squeezed my fingers.

“Cabin fever I suspect. You’re used to being active and now you have to lie here, that can’t be easy.” She gave him a wink. “I almost forgot why I popped in to see you before visiting hours. One of your old clients called yesterday. He wants you to do a back piece for him. Remember Gary Taylor? You did his sleeve last year. I told him you weren’t available and that we weren’t sure when you would be back. I even offered to do his ink but he insisted he’d wait for you. You have so many requests for appointments waiting for you. You’re going to be very busy. So busy in fact you might not get mornings or afternoons off to go surfing with your buddies.”

Dammit. I thought I had seen the last of that man.

“Gary Taylor is a good guy but he’s freaking crazy. I did his ink because he paid my price without batting an eye, even when I pushed it. He’s one of those who tell you his life story while he’s on your table. The shit that man has done. He’s an extreme sports junkie. And he’s got this idea in his head that we’re going surf the big storm surge waves together. That’s not happening. I only do that shit with people I know and trust.”

Pixies eyes had grown wider as I explained.

“You’re not getting anywhere near the big waves this year. And definitely not ever with someone who is inexperienced. Those things are killers. I don’t know how you can go out there and throw yourself in their path. I’m worried and scared every time you and those crazy friends of yours challenge the elements. Why can’t you just surf the normal every day waves and not those freakishly big ones?”

My grin pissed her off and she slapped my hand.

“Don’t give me that knowing little grin. I don’t care what you say, it’s dangerous and I don’t like thinking about you out there at the mercy of the waves.”

“You shouldn’t worry so much. We never go in unprepared and we’re all experienced surfers.”

She shook her head. “I don’t care how experienced you are, accidents happen.”

I had to give her that. She was right, accidents do happen.

“Stop worrying about it, Pixie. I’m won’t be surfing anytime soon.”

Shaking her head she smiled and patted my hand.

“We both know that as soon as you get the go ahead from the doctors you’ll be on the beach with Strange and Brody and the rest of your gang of beach bums.”

She was right. The minute the doc tells me I can go back into the water I’ll be on the beach with my board. She left shortly after and I was left alone with my thoughts and nightmares.

The nightmares came every time I fell asleep. I had tried to handle them on my own but the nosy ward sister had ratted me out. I was on meds to help me sleep and I had my first therapy session coming up later today. I was nervous and to some extent scared to talk about what had happened to me.

Nervous because I knew talking about what happened would bring the horror back to the forefront of my brain.

And scared because I knew it would make the nightmares worse.

---