Page 62 of Evil Beautiful

“We’ll get the pain sorted and then we’ll arrange for dinner to be brought up. As soon as Nat gets here I’ll be taking my old lady home so she can get some rest.”

He had scarcely finished speaking when Nat came rushing in, her hair all over the place, her eyes red and swollen. She had either taken an afternoon nap or she’d been crying. My bet was on the second. She hustled to my bed took one look at me and went into action.

She had my pills out and measured out the dose required to dull the pain and stood by me as I swallowed them down.

“You shouldn’t wait so long to take the pain meds, Kell. You need to take them because it helps with your recovery. Your body can’t fight the pain and heal you at the same time. I’m sorry I wasn’t here, I was with my parents and time just got away from me.” She gave a sad little smile as she straightened the bedding needlessly.

I wasn’t the only one watching her. Kid and Face were as well, compassion in their eyes.

I wondered what was going on with her parents.

Kid ushered Face out of the room soon after.

Nat and I had dinner together and we both kept the conversation light.

She left after settling me for the night.

I hated being virtually helpless.

As a kid I had always healed quickly and I was putting all my faith in it being the same now.

I understood there would be challenges along the way.

But I was used to overcoming challenges.

I wouldn’t let what had been done to me take me under.

I was strong.

I had a man who believed in me.

And that made all the difference.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dominick

There wasn’t time to change. I had to relay the news to Hawk Walker before the night was done.

I knew Hawk and his men would not expect me to be dressed in anything but my usual black suits. It was good not to be too predictable.

And just maybe it would divert their attention from the dressing on my neck or the fact that I looked like a ghost - too pale. According to Zach it was because of blood loss. I was damned tired, and maybe that was a contributing factor as well.

I nodded at Rico to go ahead and connect the video call.

Hawk appeared on the screen, his men around the table with him.

I didn’t beat around the bush.

“Evening, Hawk. We have the subject in our custody. I lost two men and our man who was undercover was seriously injured, both physically and mentally. He was made and tortured for information. Not that he gave them anything, he didn’t break.”

Glancing away from the camera I ground my teeth trying to regain control of my emotions. I couldn’t allow any vulnerability to show. I had myself under control when I looked back into the camera.

“Interrogation of the subject hasn’t started yet. Should any of you decide to join us we will wait on your arrival. There was an attempt to take my sister but they failed. She is now at a safe location where she will stay until the situation has been normalised. As far as I know there were no disturbances at any of our allies’ compounds. It seems we have broken their hold on the city. I will know more by tomorrow evening.”

“Good to hear, Dom, very good to hear. You look a bit worse for wear, brother.” Hawk’s eyes were on me, watching me intently.

He asked a question without asking a question. I knew my control was slipping and had to end this before I lost the calm façade I was showing them.

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