Smoke and Survival (Best Wishes Book 2)

by A. J. Macey

  “You ride with Char to the hospital. We’ll leave in a little while after we pack up the overnight bags that we planned on doing today, all right? We don’t want you to have to stress.” He turned his attention to Hudson who was closest to the door. “Go talk with Gerry. Let him know what happened and that she’ll be going to Enumclaw ahead of schedule.” Hudson nodded sharply before slipping into the hallway. “Call Alex, Firecracker. We’re going to start packing.” He hitched his thumb at Logan, Landon, Cam, and Nik to head to their dorms. With quick kisses they filed out of the room, leaving Dante and me alone. I took a fortifying breath, trying to contain the panic attack that was brewing, and dialed Alex’s number.

  He answered after half a ring, his voice clipped. “What’s wrong?”

  Will we ever have a normal conversation?

  “My mom’s in the hospital. I don’t know what happened, but Charlie is coming to get me, and we’re heading there early,” I rushed to tell him, growing tired of having to repeat the same sentence over and over. “She should be here in about five to ten minutes.” I summarized the rest of the plan before he gave me an affirmative and a request for updates. I hung up and went with Dante into the main library. Hudson was still talking with Gerry, both sporting severe facial expressions.

  “I’ll wait with you for Charlie to get here. Hudson, go pack her bag,” Dante directed, his hand on my lower back guiding me toward the front of the library. Gerry fell into step behind us, our strides purposeful and gaining the attention of the few students in the study area this early in the morning.

  The bite of the cold air stung my cheeks, but I wasn’t fazed. Please let my mom be all right, I pleaded as I spotted Charlie’s car pulling up to the sidewalk. With a kiss goodbye to Dante, Gerry and I slipped into the car and were off to the hospital.

  16

  November 23rd

  Friday Midday

  Lucienne

  Thanks to the lack of traffic and Charlie’s innate ability to speed without being pulled over, we made it to the hospital within a half hour instead of an hour. The smell of cleaner, antiseptic, and the tang of blood lingered in the air of the Emergency Room. Charlie’s dad Lucas met us at the ER desk, his white doctor’s coat bright against his coffee skin as we entered the waiting room. His warm chocolate coloring was a shade lighter than Charlie’s, and his eyes were a blue-green mix instead of brown. He straightened and walked out from behind the desk when he spotted us.

  “Lucie.” He gave me a quick nod before sticking his hand out for Gerry. “Dr. Lucas Hauser, Charlie’s dad.” Gerry introduced himself, Lucas not at all fazed by his presence, having been kept in the loop about Noah by my mom and Charlie. “Your mom is this way. We were able to examine her right after she was brought in, and she’s just finished getting treatment. She’s going to be all right. There was some bruising and a few cuts that required stitches, and she’ll be staying overnight for concussion monitoring, but she’s conscious and aware.”

  My anxiety drained from my body. She’s okay. My eyes started to water with relief. Charlie grabbed my hand and squeezed, her touch keeping any lingering panic at bay.

  “What happened?” I curved around a male nurse wheeling a crash cart, my steps quickening to keep up with Lucas’ long legs.

  “An attack of some kind, but I don’t know any of the details. The police wanted to interview her before you arrived, so they wouldn’t be in the way.” I nodded, grateful for their foresight. We reached her room near the end of the hall by the emergency exit. “I have a surgery I need to prep for, you know my number if you need anything.” I gave a quiet thanks and went in, Gerry taking up residence outside the door in the hallway.

  My mom was lying in a large, bulky hospital bed. Her torso was propped up on the inclined mattress, her brown wavy hair disheveled. A darkening mark on her left cheek caught my attention, two butterfly strips holding a small cut together in the middle of the shadowed bruise. I quickly scanned for other injuries as I practically ran to the bed. Several small bruises on her upper right arm peeked out from under the hospital gown sleeve, the same bruises I used to carry around from him grabbing me. My fists tightened at the sight of the four-inch-long cut along her left forearm that had required at least 20 stitches to hold the wound closed.

  “Mom,” I choked out as the dam holding my emotions together broke. Sobs wracked my body as she reached out and pulled me tightly against her. She shushed lightly, her hand rubbing my back in soothing strokes. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t control my crying. Hiccups and garbled cries filled the room. This was because of me. Noah couldn’t reach me, so he did something he knew would hurt me just as much as if he had hit me. I felt guilty and ashamed that I had caused the attack on my mother, and I couldn’t control the sobs that wracked my body. Instead of consoling her like I should be, she was consoling me. Charlie stood quietly from the chair at the end of the bed and excused herself to stand in the hall, the door closing gently behind her.

  “I’m all right, sweetheart,” Mom whispered, her voice full of emotion but not damaged. “Nothing’s too bad, just a couple of bruises...” She hesitated, long enough for me to pull back and look at her. My right hand swiped uselessly at my cheeks and the pouring streams that leaked from my eyes.

  “It was Noah, wasn’t it?” I whispered, a hiccupped sob following my statement. Her lips pursed, eyes shadowed at the mention of his name. Definitely him then. “I’m so sorry…”

  “Don’t you even start that, Lucienne Marie,” she cut me off, her tone reprimanding. “This is not your fault. You got out and you got away, this is all on him. Do you understand?”

  I nodded, my tears finally slowing. Her speech reminded me of Dante’s the night Noah had broken in and destroyed mine and Sadie’s room. The quick memory of that night made me realize that I hadn’t checked my phone since leaving campus, and I made a mental note to do so as soon as possible.

  “I’ve missed you, sweetie.” She ran a hand down my hair, her warm palm grazing my cheek. “It’s been hard having you so far away.” I opened my mouth to apologize, but the look she threw me had me swallowing the words down. “But I’m happier you have a place you enjoy being, loyal friends, and your boyfriends.” Her corny eyebrow wiggle made a giggle break through the tears. “Speaking of which, I still get to meet them this weekend, right?” I nodded, pulling my phone out to check.

  Dante: We’re all packed up, Firecracker, leaving now.

  The text was sent over a half hour ago. Knowing how Hudson and the twins liked to drive, they’d be here within the next twenty minutes.

  Logan: I’ve made a terrible mistake letting Landon drive. I fear we’re going to die before we get there.

  Scared emojis followed his text bringing another bout of giggles to my lips. The other guys had sent words of comfort that I responded to quickly so I could answer my mom.

  “Yeah, they stayed behind to pack up their bags, but they’re on their way now.” I showed her the dramatic texts from Logan where he narrated their perilous journey in such an exaggerated way that we both burst into laughter. “Should be here soon.” I started when there was a loud commotion down the hall. Jumping off the bed, I peeked my head out the closed door and saw Gerry assisting several nurses to secure and stabilize a combative patient. I pulled my head back and left the door ajar, so Charlie and Gerry knew that they could come back in when they were done. Charlie hadn’t been in the hallway, so I assumed she had gone to see her dad while he prepped for surgery. I sat back onto my mom’s left side, my knee propped up on the incline of the mattress.

  “I’m excited to meet them.” She smiled, her good-hearted glint that always shone in her blue eyes sparkling. Her eyes traced over my face slowly, taking in every detail of my puffy, red, tear-covered face. “They’ve been good for you, Lucie.”

  I felt my brow furrow at her statement. How can she tell?

  “You had so many shadows in your eyes when you were home. So many that I wasn’t even sure if I’d ever see
your eyes sparkle like they used to, but I can see it now. I can see the laughter, happiness, and love radiating in you again. I know you’ve been working hard and making friends and growing into your powers, but I know they help you. They’ve helped bring my baby back to herself.” Her hands cupped my cheeks, thumbs wiping the fresh tears that fell down my face. I leaned in for another hug, her warm baked sugar scent surrounding me.

  “Is there anything I can do for you?” I finally stuffed the emotions and tears down, wanting to help her be as comfortable as possible. As she shook her head, the sound of the door opening and quietly closing shifted our attention to the other side of the room. I turned, seeing the male nurse I had tried to avoid earlier in the hall standing in front of the closed door, facing away from me, his long fingers curled around the door handle.

  “Hello, Lucie baby.” The fake nurse turned, cold eyes seeking me out. Noah’s cruel smirk contorted his lips as he faced me fully. He was dressed in light green scrubs with black boots covering his feet. My heart pounded wildly at being so close to him. Adrenaline flooded my veins as I jumped to a standing position. The panic and anxiety were there, but my body forced them away, focusing on survival instead.

  “You,” I ground out, fists clenched tightly at my sides.

  He chuckled quietly. The sound grated on my ears, and flashes of memories flickered to life in front of my eyes. Pushing them back, I took a defensive step forward, ready to punch the smug look off his fucking face. I’m going to give him everything he deserves. Rage flowed through me, increasing with every second he stood before me.

  “Yes, Babygirl, me.” He started to pace a few steps into the room before stopping. His strong jaw clenched giving away how angry he was despite his smooth tone and gait. “You have been increasingly hard to get ahold of.” He curved his shoulders toward me. “But here you are, all alone.” My mother scoffed.

  “Not alone.” She sat up fully, bare legs swinging over the edge of the bed. Before she could stand from the bed, Noah pulled his handgun from the waistband of his pants, aiming it directly at my mom.

  My vision tunneled at the short distance between my mom’s forehead and the barrel of his gun. I need to get him away from here.

  “Shut up,” he huffed, rolling his eyes like a petulant child. “I don’t have time for your shit. Let’s go, Babygirl. Out the door, to the left, and out the emergency exit.” When I hesitated, attempting to form a plan, he cocked the hammer back. The clicking echoed in the utterly silent room. “Come now, I don’t want to blow your fake mom’s brains all over the wall, but I will if you don’t move that sexy ass outside.”

  I took a steadying breath, taking a half step forward to the end of the bed. Where is Charlie? Or Gerry?

  Focusing on the gun and keeping my hands near my waist, palms out, I stepped closer to the door. When I was nearly there, Noah closed the distance between us. His right arm held the gun swung down, pointing to the tile. His left hand reached across his body and gripped the door handle. He peeked his head out before aiming the gun at my midsection, the cold metal brushing against my sweater.

  “Now, Lucie baby, if you even think of making any noise or bringing attention to us, I will shoot you.” I nodded, smoothing my face into a look of compliance. When his head turned toward the hall, I moved. I shoved his arm to the left, the gun moving away from my stomach before I grabbed the barrel and twisted so he couldn’t hold on to it. He groaned painfully at the sharp angle, trying to yank it back out of my hand. I kicked, punched, screamed as loud as my voice would go, anything to keep him from getting hold of the weapon or me.

  The sound of thundering footsteps sounding out down in the hall. Thank god! I pulled back from his hand as he attempted to grab my shoulder, his grip strong enough to rip the material of my sweater. When the steps in the hall neared the door, he threw the door open the rest of the way and took off at a sprint toward the exit. Gerry continued until he reached the room, several security guards and two police officers barreling the last few feet down the hall past him and out the door. The moment felt like it had gone on forever, but the encounter had only really taken a minute. Gerry gingerly took the loaded weapon from my trembling hand before disassembling it.

  “Are you both all right?” he asked, and my head whipped around to check on my mom. She released a large, shaky breath and nodded.

  I ran around the bed and hugged her again, leaving Gerry’s question unanswered. So close. Too close. We latched onto each other and didn’t let go, the severity of what happened finally settling into us. Another collection of running footsteps filled the hall. The guys and Charlie anxiously entered the room, their faces telegraphing the worry that had caused them to sprint here.

  “What happened?” Charlie questioned first, reading our body language. I had opened my mouth to answer when the smell of bonfire filled the air. Landon and Logan were facing the gun parts in Gerry’s hand. Their claws and horns were out, and their eyes literally smoldered as they stared at the gun, the flames of their hellfire crackling dangerously.

  “He was here?” Logan bit out, his chest heaving. “Where is he now?” The two police officers entered the door frame at that time, huffing after their chase.

  “He’s gone,” the first officer stated, his beet red face matching his equally red hair. “Jumped into an idling car. Someone else was driving and was prepared to leave in a rush. We’ll need your guys’ statements, and we’ll be posting an officer outside the room.” The second officer had short blond hair, his skin tan under the lights. His eyes widened when he saw Logan and Landon’s daemon form and realized that he was in a room with supes.

  “We’ll give you guys a few moments.” The blond officer gripped the redhead’s bicep, pulling him away from the room. Dante and the rest of my guys turned to me after shutting the door. Charlie sat next to my mom, her hand rubbing gentle circles on her back.

  “Yeah, he was here. Tried to kidnap me,” I forced out. The adrenaline was fading from my system fast, and spots formed in front of my eyes. My legs gave out under me, and blackness took over.

  November 23rd

  Friday Late Afternoon

  Nikolai

  Lucie’s blonde hair was splayed out on the hospital’s thin pillow. Her breathing was steady with long deep breaths that raised and lowered her chest. I could not take my eyes off her. Her pale skin was free of bruises or injuries, but knowing she was at gunpoint only a few hours ago had my jaw clenching and power crackling against my skin. The rest of my brothers were scattered around the space in various chairs we had dragged into the room.

  Charlie and her mom were situated in the room next door with Lucie’s adoptive mom, Abigail. I could hear their laughter every once in a while, their door partially open to allow Gerry and Officer Pearce to check between our two rooms. The officers had taken Abigail’s statement after the nurse and doctor strapped Lucie up to an IV and checked her vitals. She had woken up briefly in a panic a while after passing out, only calming when we talked to her. After telling us what had happened and slight convincing from the doctor, she was sedated for a deep, restorative sleep.

  Grigori scanned the room, ever vigilant of my family. Everyone had drawn faces, worry and anger radiating in their eyes. No one was really talking since we were all lost in our own thoughts. Based on their quickly changing facial expressions, Logan and Landon were communicating through their twin telepathy, but the silence of the room was heavy and oppressive. The opening of the door shook us out of our haze. Dean Renaud’s sleek black pinstriped suit appeared, his hand reaching behind him to close the door. His eyes zeroed in on Lucie, and a pained expression passed over his face quickly before smoothing into his normally calm exterior. Why is he so drawn to her? I am glad that he is on our side, but why does he care so much?

  “What happened?” he asked softly. His shiny dress shoes clopped against the equally shiny white tile as he stepped closer to the foot of the bed.

  “From what we understand,” Dante started, standing
up on the opposite side of the bed from me to look down at our Lucie. “Noah attacked her adoptive mom, trying to intimidate her into calling Lucie to come home. Abigail resisted, calling the police quickly enough that it scared him away. Apparently, he followed them to the hospital and stole a pair of scrubs, so he could blend in with the nurses and wait for Lucie to get here to see Abigail. Lucie said she walked past him on her way in and didn’t realize it.” He sighed heavily, rubbing his fingers on his eyes as if trying to banish the images I knew were plaguing him; it was the same for all of us.

  “He created a distraction by drugging another patient into a frenzy,” I explained. My throat throbbed with each word. “Gerry went to assist the nurses and security only a few rooms down.” My voice cracked painfully at the end. Unable to continue, I glanced quickly at Cam who understood.

  “Charlie had gone to talk with her dad to give Lucie some time with Abigail. When they were alone, Noah slipped into her room, the scrubs giving him the perfect cover.” His quiet words were somber, the honey in his usual voice darkened. “Said how she had been hard to get to recently, and when her mom tried to get out of the hospital bed, he pulled the gun on her.”

  “On Abigail or Lucie?” the dean questioned, his eyes never leaving Lucie’s sleeping form.

  “Abigail, initially.” Cam shifted his glasses up his nose before continuing, “Saying Lucie needed to accompany him out of the room and head out the emergency exit. Threatened…” He snarled, fangs winking in the dimmed lighting. The predatory side of him surged forward with the memory of Noah’s ruthless threat. Logan took over from there.