Chapter 483
0483
VALERIE
It had been a long night. We’re gathered back at our house but none of us could rest, although it is past two in the morning.
The reports and news channels are going crazy, but I am glad Zade did what he did, even if Atticus and Sebastian aren’t happy with it. Zaia’s torn, but ultimately everyone does understand why he did what he did.
Adriana had disappeared the moment we returned here and I now mind-link her, wanting her to join us for a much-needed late-night pizza. None of us have had dinner and we’re all starved.
‘Adriana, join us for pizza. Anthony’s on his way back with it.’
‘Hey… I still have some things to do. You guys carry on. If you could ask them if Ada’s in safe hands…’
‘Sure. I’ll get Anthony to bring you some… are you sure you don’t want to join us?’
‘Yeah, that’ll be great and you guys enjoy. I don’t really fit in anyway.’
I don’t push it, the fact she feels that way makes me upset. This is Atticus’s fault. Whatever happened was back then. ‘I’m sorry. I’ll make sure Anthony brings you some. Thanks, Adriana, for everything you do.’
“Well, Adriana isn’t joining us,” I say, glancing at Atticus. He frowns slightly, looking away.
“No surprise there,” Zade remarks. He’s freshly showered, and he’s walking around in just some grey sweatpants. I mean, I get that he’s too busy and didn’t bother grabbing a shirt, but he’s only turning me on like crazy.
I’m glad Zaia is the only girl in here because I think the rest would pounce on him. I mean, I want to…
And Joan’s messages didn’t stop until after twelve. She must have fallen asleep, but the hundreds of messages of her fangirling over Zade made me smile, a little amused, a tiny bit jealous and very possessive. Her final text still makes me raise an eyebrow.
JOAN: And damn, is he hung! Girl, you are getting the best in all areas!! I can only imagine how he looks when he’s hard! What a stallion!
Sighing, I sit back as my mind returns to the moment that the hunter had snuck up on me when I tried to get the electricity back on and running…
(FLASHBACK)
I pull the lever just as I’m dragged back; the man pushes me to the ground, kicking me in the back. I roll over, aiming a kick at his knees before I see the glint of silver spotting the butcher knife in his hand.
He raises his arm, ready to bring it down on me when I swipe his legs out from under him. He stumbles, but he still swings the knife at me. “Time for you to join your fellow mutts!” he hisses, landing on the ground beside me as I roll away from him as the knife hits the ground.
“I don’t think so,” I say, looking into his eyes, eyes that once again feel familiar.
I’m not sure if it’s someone from the files Zade had obtained or somewhere else. Either way, I wasn’t going to let him deter me. He aims a kick at me, and I spring to my feet only for him to grab me around the knees. I elbow him in the head, grabbing his wrist as I try to disarm him.
I can see his eyes flickering to the lever as he pulls me to the ground. I slide out my small blade, twisting in his arm and stabbing it into his arm. He lets go of me and I manage to get free.
We both jump to our feet, and I spin around as he lunges at me before I kick him in the stomach, hitting him with my elbow, and snapping his wrist back as I disarm him. The knife clatters across the floor.
“Come on Doc, you shouldn’t be so violent now, should you?” he whispers. “Doctors save lives, not take them, right?”
My eyes flash as I leap at him, knocking him onto a shelf and ripping his mask off.
“We also take the lives we have to, to protect our young,” I respond, realising where I recognise him, and I know exactly where from. He was one of the first patients I treated at the hospital.
Was he there to see me?
3/4
03
+5 BONUS
How long were they planning this?
He jumps to his feet, reaching for a gun, but I’m faster. Taking his discarded knife, I spin around and plunge it into his chest.
His eyes widen as he looks down, not expecting me to resort to violence.
“You…”
“I’m not the same woman you guys once tried to harm,” I say, kicking him to the ground, before I grab him by his jacket and drag him out of that room. I don’t want anyone in there to switch the electricity off again.
He might make it, but I really don’t care. Turning, I leave him bleeding on the ground. My only aim is to get back to Zade…
(END OF FLASHBACK)
Zade runs his fingers through his hair as he looks over at Sebastian, who, unlike Zade, hasn’t showered and looks a hot mess in his pants with his shirt hanging open, and tosses his earpiece onto the table.