The Hastings Series

by Vanessa Siena

  Holy shit.

  Just hearing him say all that made me shiver all over again and I wasn’t sure if I should stop him because it was pure torture, knowing none of what he said would be happening anytime soon.

  I tried to form words but I just couldn’t. I hoped my eyes would express how much I wanted him to do everything he said just then. I was desperate. God, since when did I become so horny?

  All thanks to him, I thought.

  “You gonna talk to me, love?” he asked, grinning and knowing exactly how much he was teasing me. His fingers softly traced a line down along the side of my neck.

  I just nodded, unable to say anything. I felt like I was out of breath but my lungs seemed not to hurt anymore. If anything, he was distracting me from the pain with his words, which was kind of nice.

  “Someone’s speechless,” he teased, watching me and not letting his eyes leave mine. “I really don’t want to hurt you, you know?”

  “I know,” I blurted out fast, hating myself for acting like some sort of sex-hungry person. I was now even using words that didn’t make sense. My brain was going blank again and I wasn’t thinking straight. I wish I was out of this bed.

  Hunter let out a small chuckle, amused by all of this.

  “You should rest, Low.” Something in his voice changed and he suddenly sounded serious.

  “Are you leaving?” I sounded desperate. He only just came back and now he wanted to leave already?

  “Not going anywhere, love.” He smiled and pushed himself up with one hand and stood back up. He looked down at me and ran his fingers through my hair. “I’m staying here. Well, for as long as I possibly can. I don’t think the nurses will be pleased seeing me here past visiting hours.” He looked around the room, and despite what he just said, he sat down in the chair next to the bed.

  “I’ll stay until someone kicks me out.”

  I let out a laugh and shook my head. “I’d love to see someone kick you out of here. Would be the first time you ever did something you’re told.”

  “Ouch,” Hunter exclaimed and put his hand on his chest, showing me just how hurt he was by my comment. “Someone’s feisty.” He chuckled and I grinned, happy to be able to joke around like that with him.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Harlow

  We looked at each other in silence while Hunter held my hand in his, stroking the back of it. After some time, I had to pick up on what I started. He had yet to answer my question.

  “Will you ever tell me about your past?” I asked, pretty much destroying this whole vibe. But I was desperate to know. I couldn’t stand knowing he was holding all of those negative things inside of him when he could easily open up and trust me. Maybe he needed reassurance.

  “You can talk to me, okay? I know it’s hard to talk about the past…I hate it too. But I would like to know who you are, Hunter.” I bit my bottom lip, hoping he wasn’t going to get mad. God, I shouldn’t. The last time I tried to get close to him in any way I got hit by a car.

  “You don’t have to tell me everything. I just want you to know that I’m here. If you need me…” I took a small break, swallowing my last piece of courage. “I’m here for you and I trust you.”

  “Stop,” he interrupted, shaking his head. Great. Shit. Shit!

  “I’m sorry, I—”

  “Damn it, Low, stop,” he commanded, gripping my neck a little too firmly.

  He eyed my face for a while, my breathing suddenly getting heavier. There was that fear again. His angry outbursts were nothing new and I knew how to handle them now but I wasn’t sure I wanted him to get all fired up in a hospital. Other patients didn’t need to be woken up, and as long as the nurses didn’t come in, I wanted to keep him here with me for as long as possible.

  After some seconds, which felt like minutes, he sighed. “I don’t deserve you caring about me so much. I don’t want you to care. But I know if I keep you out like that for any longer I will probably lose you and I’m not fucking having that.”

  Oh, so he wasn’t mad?

  “You’re too damn sweet. I have no clue why the fuck you even keep up with me after everything I’ve done to you. Even after this…” he said, looking down to my body and shaking his head once again. “I know I’m the last person on this planet to ever deserve you, but I’m a selfish bastard and you’re all I want. I know I’ve been an idiot. Hell, I’ve been a motherfucking asshole toward you.”

  He looked back into my eyes, squeezing my hand. “I don’t make any sense most of the time but please, love, don’t ever run from me. And if you do run, I will catch you.”

  He was right about all that. He was an asshole. Rude and cruel at times and he treated me like I was nothing. But he was also begging just then. Begging for me not to ever let him stand alone. My heart melted and my body was getting warm all over. This man had no idea what he was triggering inside of me with those words. I wanted to tell him exactly how I felt and my thoughts were running wild again. But it was too early. I couldn’t tell him how much I felt for him. That was wrong. No, not wrong. It was too soon. I’d once heard a girl at the diner talk to her friend who was crying about a boy and she said something along the lines of “that’s why you always wait for him to say I love you first.”

  That was probably bullshit, but I wasn’t going to risk it. I was sure about my feelings for Hunter, but I yet had to find out what he was really thinking about me. About us.

  I smiled at him, squeezing his hand too. “I don’t really like running,” I said jokingly. I was hoping to lighten up his mood. God, didn’t he have any idea that he had a good side to him too?

  Hunter let out a laugh. “You’re too damn adorable, you know that?”

  “Heard it before, yes.”

  He shook his head with a genuine grin on his face, bending over to kiss my lips softly. After a few seconds, he let go and touched his stitched up nose to mine. “There’s no way in hell I will ever let go of you. I promise you that.”

  “Good, and I won’t leave,” I assured him, closing my eyes. “As much as I would like to talk to you, I don’t think I can stay awake any longer,” I added.

  Hunter kissed the tip of my nose and then my forehead. Right before he was going to say something, the door opened and I heard Hunter sigh.

  The nurse looked at us, then she took a glance at her watch and made an annoyed sound. “I’m sorry, but I will have to ask you to leave, sir.”

  I bit back a grin, turning my head to look back at Hunter. He wasn’t hiding his amusement and got up from his chair to bend down one last time. “Don’t enjoy this too much,” he whispered against my lips before kissing them.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I nodded, smiling at him one last time before watching him leave the room.

  “Sorry about that,” I said to the nurse, now feeling guilty for annoying her. She shrugged it off with a fake smile. “It’s nothing new, darling.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Hunter

  Leaving her alone felt wrong, but she had to get some rest. It was nice staying with her, being near her and making sure she was doing okay. I told her that I didn’t deserve her. I’ve been treating her like shit and her just pushing aside my cruel behavior like that made me realize what kind of a person she was.

  Her heart was bigger than anyone’s I’ve ever met before. Her genuine eyes and her acceptance toward all kinds of people made me almost sick to my stomach, knowing I’ve messed with her like that. She saw the good in people, letting them know just how much she cared about them, and I most certainly wasn’t one of those who should be even knowing a kind, precious girl like that.

  I’ve never done anything good in my life. I always fucked up and rarely got shit right unless it was something horrible. I was good at fucking up. It was almost like a gift God gave me but I wasn’t so sure why the hell he wouldn’t punish me for it. Instead, he gave me the best gift I could’ve ever wished for. Harlow. She was all I wanted right now.

  I was hoping
Jagger wouldn’t find out that I went back for her last night. He has been through enough stuff and I wasn’t going to piss him off once again. And another beating wasn’t in my schedule.

  The next morning I arrived at the hospital before visiting hours and my body instantly ached for her presence. I had to remind myself that I still had balls. Fuck, I was so damn pussy-whipped. No girl has ever made me feel this way and I only just realized that Harlow was the only one who could make me feel all warm and tingly inside.

  Jesus Christ, Hunter! Man up!

  After a quick stop in the restroom, I took the elevator to the first floor and went ahead to grab me a black coffee in the cafeteria. That was exactly what I needed. A strong, bitter reminder that I couldn’t just go all soft because of her. I had shit to handle which didn’t have anything to do with sweet Harlow but required a focused mind and strength. After all, my job wasn’t for the weak.

  I sat down in a chair, leaning back and taking a long sip from my coffee. Caffeine was another thing I was lacking big time. Last night I was up until the early morning and I wasn’t thinking about sleep. Instead, my mind was filled with thoughts of Harlow.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out, reading a familiar name on the screen. Sighing, I tried to guess what was written in that message. I had set my notifications to just show the name of the messenger, without revealing the content of the text. I didn’t need others to randomly read my texts. They were my business.

  Not opening it wasn’t an option, and running from him or ignoring him would put me into deep shit. I wasn’t going to mess with him. Or his people.

  I slid my thumb over the screen, punching in my password and letting the message pop up.

  Text: 10

  It simply said a number and I knew what it meant. Perfect. Something new was coming up but I wasn’t sure I was able to work with Harlow being in the hospital.

  “You got the text?” Jagger’s voice broke through my thoughts about his baby sister and I looked up at him. He didn’t get much sleep himself and he still had that angry gleam in his eyes. All of this was probably getting to him.

  “Yeah,” I answered, pushing my phone back into my pocket. “You’re here early.” I drank my coffee and threw the cup into the bin next to my table.

  He looked at me with a cocked eyebrow, letting me know that it was a stupid thing to say. Then he let his eyes wander down to my feet and back up, eyeing my face carefully. “You been here all night?” he asked.

  “No, I just couldn’t really sleep. I wish I could’ve stayed with her all night.”

  I decided that honesty was the only right thing at this point. Jagger slowly nodded, not really approving of it.

  “I hope you remember my words. I’m not trying to play games here, Kane. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Trust me,” I said, standing up and running my hands through my hair. “She’s changing me. She got me all wrapped up around her little finger and fuck, man…” I let out a hard laugh. “I’ll be the one not making it out alive. She’s got my whole heart. At least what’s left of it. I need her close. She knows that.”

  Jagger’s confused and almost amused look was what I deserved at that moment. I was talking like a crazed man, and I sure as hell wasn’t making any sense. But he seemed to understand.

  “What the fuck does she even see in you?”

  That made me laugh because I didn’t know either.

  “If I ever find out, I’ll tell you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Harlow

  Jagger and Hunter were both standing next to my bed really early in the morning. When I woke up, the sun was barely out and both of them looked at me with a sad, tired smile. I wondered if they ever closed their eyes last night.

  “Did you get some sleep?” I asked, reaching out my hand to grab Jagger’s. He shrugged, knowing that he couldn’t lie to me. He sat down in the chair he sat in yesterday and patted the back of my hand with his other.

  “Don’t worry about me.” He let out a sigh, looking up at Hunter for a second. “Since we’re all here, I think you two gotta explain all of this to me. I’m not gonna be an ass and get in the way of whatever you two have,” he said, looking back into my eyes, concerned. “But I have told him before. If he ever fucks up, you tell me and I will end him.”

  The way he said it sounded amusing but I knew he wasn’t joking. He meant every word of it and he was warning Hunter. But also me, since it takes two to tango. Hunter heard a talk like this from him before and he also got a beating out of it. He knew he had to follow Jagger’s rules and commands right now.

  “Now, what’s going on exactly?” he asked, keeping his eyes on me. I quickly looked up at Hunter, not knowing how to answer that question. What was going on? I mean, we hung out for a bit in the last few weeks and we kissed. He also touched me a lot and told me more than one time that he wanted and needed me close. But that didn’t clarify anything.

  I was clueless as to what to call it. Were we friends or already dating? We sure as hell weren’t in a relationship.

  “We’re figuring things out,” Hunter said, looking back at me. “Well, I’m figuring things out.” He turned to look at Jagger, shoving his fists into his pockets.

  “You know I got some shit going on right now and I don’t want her anywhere close to that. I’m looking for a way out so I can keep her with me more often. I’d like to take her out, go on dates and just…” He stopped, looking back at me. “Letting her get to know me. That’s what she deserves.”

  My heartbeat sped up and my cheeks warmed. God, who was this person looking like Hunter? He seemed changed. But like he said, he had things to handle he didn’t want me to know about.

  “A way out?” Jagger said, lifting an eyebrow. He didn’t seem too impressed with that. But a way out of what? I still had no idea what they were doing to earn money. The only thing I could imagine them doing was drug dealing. It’s dangerous and illegal. That’s why they never told me, I thought.

  “Not having that conversation here,” Hunter said calmly, looking back at me with a smile. “How are you feeling?” he asked, sitting down in the chair on the other side of the bed next to me.

  I slowly nodded, pressing my lips into a thin line. “I feel fine,” I said, looking back at Jagger. “I would like to go home. When can I leave?”

  “That’s the doc’s call, sweet girl.” Jagger leaned back, still holding my hand in his. The reassurance he gave me made me feel safe. Whenever he was close, I was safe. I knew it no matter what. And the same way I was starting to feel about Hunter. His presence alone was enough to make me feel warm and protected.

  “I will call for him then.” I reached up to the button to request a nurse or doctor. “I want to get out of here. I want to go back to work as soon as possible—” I stopped, my eyes widening. “Oh no, I’ve not told Frankie! He must be looking for me everywhere.”

  “He knows, Low. Don’t worry,” Jagger said, calming me just a bit.

  “What did he say? Adeline won’t be working this week because of her college exams,” I said, afraid that she had to fill in for me on her off-days.

  Jag interrupted me. “Frankie wants you to get better. He said he can find another girl to take over your shifts this week, so don’t worry, all right? It’s all good and he wishes you a speedy recovery.”

  I nodded slowly, making a mental note to call him and thank him. I wanted to go back to work and college soon. Although, I wasn’t taking school very seriously at the moment. Working and earning money was more important.

  The door opened and Dr. Sullivan stood there, taking in the scene in front of him. “Why, what a wonderful surprise. Have you guys spent the night here in those chairs?” he joked, grinning from ear to ear and going straight to the end of my bed to look at the clipboard.

  My gaze turned to Jagger, then Hunter, who was quickly looking away from Jagger. A small gleam of mischief crossed his eyes and I couldn’t hold back a stupidly cheesy grin.
Him staying longer than he was allowed wasn’t exactly him staying all night, but it came close.

  “Nah, just wanted to be here as early as possible,” Jagger answered in an almost sarcastic tone. God, he just had to make me feel awkward.

  “Well, I am glad you’re up,” Doc said, looking at me with a smile. “How are we feeling?”

  “Good. Very good. I was hoping to go home soon.”

  “Very optimistic, aren’t we?” His voice was cheerful and welcome as always, but I wasn’t sure he was letting me go so quickly.

  “I would like to check on the ribs and lungs and make sure they’ll be fine without the help of the machine. That will take some hours.” He looked up to Jagger and Hunter. “How about you two go get some real breakfast and come by after lunch, hmm? I’ll know more after the exam but it’s not really necessary for you to stay here and wait.”

  He wasn’t really kicking them out but I wanted them to be productive today too. Waiting for me to get better wasn’t gonna help either of us.

  “I’ll be fine. See you later,” I said, looking at Hunter, then back at Jagger.

  He nodded, standing up and kissing my forehead. “Love you,” he whispered, then walked out of the room, probably knowing Hunter’s goodbye wasn’t something he needed to see.

  Hunter got up from his chair, cupping my face with his hands and kissing my lips softly but determined. I smiled into the kiss, not wanting him to let go.

  “See you later, love,” he mumbled into the kiss, then his tongue came out to touch mine and just as quickly, his mouth was gone. I looked up at him, feeling the blood in my body run wild.

  “Bye,” I managed to say before he left the room with a wink and a charming smile.