Now, thanks to the General, who lit a fire under my ass, I’m feeling a little more like my old self. I need to get downstairs and help, even if I can’t help, I need to at least be present.
But first a shower, because I am ripe.
***
ANNA
After a very long, very relaxing shower, I had gotten dressed for the first time in a couple days. I had even called Brea in and she’d helped me with my hair and makeup. So when I came downstairs to cat calls and whistles, I was really feeling myself.
“Dang, Little Minx, you look hot.” Luke makes his way over to where I stand at the bottom of the stairs giving me a very intense hello kiss.
“That’s right, Anna’s got her groove back,” I say loud enough for the entire room to hear, and I’m not even embarrassed when I realize absolutely everyone is in the room. Even Elder Berry and Lord Paul sit in stools facing me with their backs to the bar.
There are a few chuckles and a snort I recognize. Wait, I recognized that snort. My head searches the room, desperate to find the snorter. And there, sitting at a table near one of the front windows is the white to my rice.
I let out a shrill shriek, and then it’s off to the races, folks. Tackling my bestie to the ground we both roll, and I’ll admit I may have just broken a rib but it was so worth it.
“Oh my God, why did no one tell me you were here?” I shriek.
“For the record, I did come to get you,” the General standing a few feet away says with an annoyed look on his face.
Ash lets out a giggle as she tries to push me off her. “Get your big ass off me. I can’t breathe!”
I definitely don’t want her to die, so I roll over on my back as Brea yells for me to not mess up her masterpiece. Oh yeah, I had forgotten I was in full hair and makeup today.
Ash and I both sit up before Chase helps her to her feet and Luke helps me to mine. We both stand facing one another, with each of our men behind us, arms wrapped around us lovingly. We both got so lucky. I feel the need to draw attention to this.
“Do you realize how lucky we are?” Ash looks confused because sure, we have been through a lot of crap, and from outside looking in that might seem unlucky. “I just mean, in the middle of all this horrible shit you found Chase, and I found Luke. I just feel pretty lucky.”
Ash beams a smile as she leans back to stare up at her man. He places a kiss on her cheek as Luke leans down and does the same to me.
Before Luke leans back, he brushes his lips across my ear whispering, “We haven’t spent enough time together lately, Little Minx. So, will you go out with me? On a date, I mean.”
I’m truly surprised by his words, and even more surprised when I realize we haven’t ever really been on a date. Sure we have spent plenty of time together alone, but not like a date. We just kind of went straight from being strangers to being in love. There was no in between for us, so I find his words sending an intense feeling of giddiness all the way down to my toes as I nod my head and accept his invitation.
“Guys!” Our sweet moment is rudely interrupted when Easton runs in the room yelling for everyone’s attention. “You aren’t gonna believe this but…he’s awake.”
It doesn’t register at first what he’s talking about, but then it dawns on me. The Vater.
Luke and I both rush upstairs as I hear other footsteps behind us. He and I are the first ones to enter the room, and sure enough the Vater’s eyes are open, albeit glassy and bloodshot. But still, he is awake, which means we could have some answers soon.
I take a seat in the chair beside the bed as the Vater’s eyes track my movements. So he’s with it enough to recognize a threat. Good. I am a threat to him. He should be scared of me, and everyone else standing around the room.
Looking around I see that Ash and Chase haven’t made it up here yet, or possibly they aren’t coming at all. Mateo, Daniel, and Lord Paul are on the opposite side of the bed as me. Luke stands behind me, and then closer to the foot of the bed stands Easton, Tommy, and of course the General with his arms crossed, giving the Vater a death glare.
No one says a word, they all either stare at me or the Vater, so I take that as my cue. “Vater, can you talk?”
He opens his mouth, and sound comes out but most certainly not any language I’ve ever heard. Maybe he needs some water. He has been in a coma for a week.
Standing, I make my way over to the dresser where there’s a pitcher of water and four glasses. Pouring one, I return to the bedside as Luke helps the Vater sit up. I tip the glass slowly to his lips careful not to spill. He takes a few tentative sips, and then a few bigger ones before leaning back.
He takes a few minutes before trying to speak again, but still his voice is too hoarse to make anything out. I try to be patient, but it’s just so hard. Getting up, I pace around the room for what seems like forever as the Vater continues his attempts at making his voice work. Finally, I give up, plopping down on the bed beside him and deciding we are going to go with yes or no questions. Surely he can nod his head, right?
“Okay Vater, yes or no questions, answer with a nod or a shake. Got it?” Crossing my
