Phoenix King Read online

  I took off my jacket as I heard sirens drawing closer. Someone had called for help. I shoved the fabric up against Jacob's wound, trying to stem the flow of blood.

  "You idiot," I whispered, glancing at his face. It was too pale and drawn.

  "Show some gratitude. I saved your life," he said, smiling even as he coughed. "Shit."

  "Help's almost here," I said, glancing up as Roy walked up to us. "Thank you."

  He nodded, his jaw clenched as he looked towards where the men had run.

  "Stupid move on their part," he said. "We have weapons on hand to prevent copper stripping." He looked down at Jacob. "The paramedics should be here soon. You hang on there, son."

  Jacob nodded weakly. "Piece . . . of . . . cake."

  I tamped down on the rage inside me that wanted to take over.

  That was it.

  Now I was pissed.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sickly white lights flickered above me as I sat in one of the institutional blue chairs in the waiting area. Why they always decided to make places like this so cold and depressing was anybody's guess. Even the paintings on the wall had a bland, washed out quality to them that almost made it worse than not having any artwork at all.

  I stared at the scuffed floor under my feet, counting the specks in the tile.

  I knew what I was actually doing, trying not to think about Jacob on the operating table and everything that could go wrong while he was under—and failing miserably.

  His skin had been so white by the time the paramedics had shown up . . .

  He'd passed out on the way to the hospital, his face slack as the paramedics said things that I couldn't focus on, the words sounding like they were coming from the other end of a long tunnel. I'd ridden over here in the ambulance with him, held his hand, and told him to stay with me. They hadn't said anything when we arrived at the hospital, just wheeled him away quickly, the doctors shouting orders.

  They told me to wait in the waiting area, but that was before they realized some of the blood was actually mine.

  A no-nonsense doctor with her dark hair gathered in a tight bun had ordered me to take off my jacket. I'd complied, revealing the healing cut high up on my other arm when I did. She'd raised an eyebrow as she'd gotten to work on suturing.

  "Maybe you're in the wrong line of work if you and your friend are both hurt," she observed, the neat row of black stitches impressive.

  I grunted.

  "Maybe," I agreed. I didn't really have a leg to stand on lately.

  She'd slapped a bandage on it, given me some kind of shot to prevent infection, and then I was good to go.

  Right to the waiting room. Which I had been in now for what felt like forever but had probably been less than an hour.

  I got up and started pacing, feeling like I was suffocating. I needed to do something, damn it. This feeling of helplessness was killing me. It was one thing to come after me. I'd handle whatever it was and if I got hurt, at least it was my mess that got me hurt.

  But going after my friends?

  Going after anyone I cared about?

  That was a no go.

  These people needed to be stopped.

  I could feel the rage building inside me, trying to burst out, but I needed to focus it. Needed to find out where to direct it.

  With that thought in mind, I brought my email up on my watch and dictated a message to Ashur.

  I didn't know where he was right now, but email might reach him.

  Jacob's hurt. There was another attack.

  I need to talk to you.

  I'm at the hospital, waiting while he's in surgery. Dome Central.

  I looked at the three lines, then added another one.

  I'm fine.

  XOXO

  Mia

  I hit send.

  And tried not to go insane in that depressing little room while I continued wearing a hole into the floor.

  The ding of an incoming message rang not much later.

  I'm on my way. I'll call you as soon as I'm in range.

  Stay inside the hospital.

  Be safe.

  You better be in one piece when I get there.

  XOXOXO

  Ashur

  Okay, Ashur was coming. I felt a little steadier already with that knowledge. Ridiculous, since I'd been managing my whole life on my own, but there you go. I was starting to accept that a little support was nice.

  "Ms. Hill?"

  I turned at the question to see the surgeon, looking a little worn around the edges in his scrubs.

  "Is he okay?" I demanded, taking a step closer. "Did it go well?"

  "Yes, we were able to repair all the damage. He's going to be fine, but we'd like to keep an eye on him. He's going to be sedated for a while yet. He's in recovery now and will have to stay in the hospital . . ." He kept going, but the wave of my relief drowned out the details of what he was saying.

  Jacob was going to be okay.

  "Can I see him?" I interjected.

  "Yes, but he's still under," he said. "He won't know you're there."

  "I still want to see him. Please."

  "Of course. Follow me."

  I walked behind him, down the hall to a room close by.

  "You can call the nurse if you need anything," he said, indicating the call button.

  "Thanks, Doctor," I said, my eyes already on the occupant of the room.

  He murmured some generic reply and left as I stepped into the room.

  Jacob was lying in the hospital bed, but he didn't quite look like himself. I mean, his face was still his, and his body. I just wasn't used to seeing him so still, so . . . diminished. He almost looked small as he lay there, when he was usually such a strong presence in any room he walked into. Contained but intense.

  Swallowing, I stepped forward to lay my hand on his. He was cool to the touch. I scanned his face. He wasn't quite as white as the sheet he was lying on. But the contrast wasn't as great as it should have been.

  "I'll find out who did this," I said in a quiet voice, squeezing his hand. Maybe he could hear me. "I promise." I let out a breath, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to squeeze out. "And I expect to see you behind the counter at the bakery within a week, you hear me? Don't use this as an excuse to lie around expecting me to wait on you hand and foot." I looked at his face. No reaction. "I love you," I said softly. "Get better fast, okay?"

  I stood there for a while, speaking to him in a low voice, until one of the nurses was nice enough to bring a chair over. Then I sat there, my eyes still on Jacob's face. I jerked back into the present as a warm hand came down on my shoulder a while later.

  "You didn't pick up my call."

  I stood up abruptly, the chair scooting back with a harsh scrape. I wrapped my arms around Ashur's neck, breathed in his familiar scent.

  "What took you so long?" I asked.

  Ashur hugged me back tight, rubbing my back.

  "I came as fast as I could," he murmured. He pulled back so he could see my face, cupped it between his warm hands. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes worried.

  "This was the only damage," I said, lifting my arm to show the bandage. "Just stitches."

  His mouth tightened. "I don't want you to have any stitches," he replied.

  "I'm trying. Trust me."

  He gave me a short squeeze, and then his gaze went over to Jacob's still form.

  "How's he doing?"

  I looked over too. "He should make a full recovery. But there was enough damage that he's going to have to stay here for a few days." My banked rage flared up again. "Those assholes have to pay for this. He wasn't a part of whatever stupid reason they have for coming after me."

  "So me saying it's time for you to retreat to my territory isn't going to do anything, is it?"

  I looked back at his face as I shook my head.

  "I can't, Ashur," I said, entreating him to understand with my eyes. "They hurt Jacob. I can't let this keep going. What if they hurt
someone else I care about next?"

  What if they hurt Omari?

  What if they hurt Ashur?

  I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

  Ashur sighed. "Okay."

  I blinked, shutting my mouth. I'd already been gearing up for an argument. And honestly hadn't been sure how it was going to end.

  "Okay?" I repeated, not sure if I heard him right.

  "I understand protecting the people you care about." He looked at Jacob. "This is not acceptable."

  My shoulders slumped. I hadn't really been up for a fight about this, but thought it was going to be inevitable. I wouldn't have blamed him for it either, not after everything that had gone down. But I was so glad I didn't have to have one with him about this. My heart warmed from the unexpected support.

  "But I do think Omari needs to go to your territory until this is sorted out," I added. "I don't want him anywhere near this."

  "Agreed," Ashur said immediately. "I have someone in the city now who can take him back."

  That was a relief. I didn't want to put Omari in any more danger. I should have sent him away as soon as this mess started. I'd held off only because I was worried how he'd react to being sent away, worried that he might think I was abandoning him.

  I glanced at my watch, only then realizing what time it was.

  "Shit!" I hissed, taking a step towards the door. "Omari was off forty minutes ago!" Was I ever going to get this routine down?

  Ashur stopped me before I bolted out the door.

  "It's okay," he soothed. "I had someone go pick him up. We'll meet them at your place, okay?"

  I let out a relieved breath.

  "Okay. Okay." I composed myself and turned to Jacob. "I need to say goodbye." I went back over to the side of the bed and leaned in to kiss Jacob's cheek. "I'll be back all right? I just have to take care of some stuff," I said in a low voice.

  I hoped he could hear me.

  "Come on, Mia," Ashur said, laying a hand on the small of my back. "Better to go now and have more time with him when he's awake."

  He was right.

  "I'll see you soon," I murmured. Hopefully after having taken care of whoever had done this.

  We went down to the parking garage. Ashur had driven to the hospital. That was nice. Sitting was about how fast I felt I could go right now. We settled into the car and he pulled into traffic. I rubbed my hands on my jeans. Ashur reached over and took one of my hands in his. He didn't say anything, just held my hand. It was what I needed right then.

  When we got back to my apartment building, I racked my brain, trying to come up with a way to break the news to Omari. He had a key and he was also in the system for my other locks, so at least he would be waiting inside the apartment.

  Before I could knock on the door though, it flew open on its own to reveal Omari's happy face.

  "Mia! Ashur! Enzi picked me up from school today!"

  Enzi? My brows went up and I looked passed him to the dark-haired, wiry man. Of course Ashur would make sure it was someone Omari knew and trusted.

  "Hi, Enzi," I said, nodding at him. "It's good to see you." And it was.

  He inclined his head with a slight smile.

  "I simply wish the circumstances were better," he said.

  "We can agree on that."

  I glanced at Omari and then looked over at Ashur. He nodded. This needed to happen.

  "Omari, I need to talk to you."

  He frowned, his excitement fading at my serious tone. He was a smart kid. He could pick up something wasn't quite right.

  "What is it, Mia?"

  I took his hand and led him over to the couch.

  "There are some bad men here in the city dome that are after me," I started. I'd keep it simple, but Omari wasn't a stupid kid. He deserved to know the basics. "Ashur and I are trying to find them and stop them. But, for now, I think it's best you stay in Ashur's territory, where it's safe. Just until we find these people."

  Omari frowned.

  "I don't want to go. Why can't I stay here with you and Ashur? And Jacob? You'll keep me safe."

  I cleared my throat, the knot inside feeling solid. He didn't need to know about Jacob. It would break his heart.

  "We're going to be looking for whoever this is and we want to make sure you're safe," Ashur said, crouching down in front of Omari. "We'll find them quickly," he added seriously.

  "And remember your friends in Ashur’s territory?" I added, trying to ease the blow. "I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."

  Omari brightened a little.

  "Not forever, right? You'll come get me?" he asked, searching my face.

  "Omari." I pulled him close. "How many times do I have to tell you you're mine? You'll never be rid of me."

  He gave me a serious look before snuggling in to me.

  "Okay," he said quietly. "But you have to hurry," he added.

  "We will," I promised, hoping we could wrap this up quickly.

  For all of our sakes.

  Things moved fast from there. I packed Omari's things—enough for a week. I hoped that was all the time it took, but knew he'd be well cared for if it took more.

  "I'll see you soon, okay?"

  I knelt and hugged Omari tight.

  "Okay," he said, squeezing me even tighter.

  "I love you," I said, rising when he finally pulled back from the hug.

  "I love you too, Mia," he said solemnly. "Hurry up, okay?"

  I laughed.

  "Got it."

  My hands were clenched as I watched him walk away, hand in hand with Enzi to the car waiting at the curb. They were going straight out of the city dome to Ashur's territory. I hoped this was the right decision.

  "This was the right thing to do," Ashur assured me, wrapping an arm around my waist. Almost like he'd read my mind. "Better to be a little paranoid and safe than to be sorry you weren't later."

  "Yeah," I agreed. "But it really sucks."

  "Yeah. It really does."

  So we didn't waste any time getting down to it. I'd been trying to schedule most of my jobs during school hours so I'd be home when Omari came home, but now I packed in as many as I could in the hopes that it would lure whoever-it-was out.

  More jobs meant more opportunity for them to strike, right? Or, at least, that was what I was hoping.

  The first job I went on was that night.

  "Stay back," I warned Ashur. "I have to look like a target."

  "Yeah, look like one. Not be one," he returned.

  I gave him a look. Sighing, he fell back farther.

  The street we were on was one of those places that looked fine during the daytime, but come sundown, everyone made sure to be inside. Perfect opportunity to corner me if someone were so inclined.

  I reached the pickup location and saw Ashur stop in front of a liquor store behind me, his eyes ostensibly scanning the selection in the barred window while really keeping an eye on me.

  It wasn't long before a shadowy figure emerged, carrying a package.

  "Hill?" he murmured. His face was hidden by the bill of his ball cap.

  My hand slid to my knife hilt.

  "Yes," I confirmed, ready for an attack.

  "Here you go." He slid the round, small shape into my hand and melted back into the shadows. Smooth as butter and completely according to the instructions.

  Damn it.

  I turned and walked back to Ashur. He didn't bother pretending not to know me anymore.

  "That was easy," he remarked, his tone dry.

  "We just need to keep trying," I said, frustrated. "Just give them more opportunities."

  So that's what we did. I went out on jobs. Ashur made sure to be a distant tail to keep an eye on me. And . . . nothing.

  Not even the usual hiccups with jobs occurred. Not at all what I had expected. And damn frustrating, I had to say.

  "Maybe they got spooked from last time," Ashur remarked as we both sat down in my office, in what were our own usual chairs now.

>   "Maybe," I said, not really buying it.

  It was too quiet.

  I opened my email to go through the usual batch, seeing if there were any more jobs I could squeeze in that day, and I saw another anonymous email.

  I stared at it for a second. What was it? Another warning? I hesitated, but I needed to find out. I clicked on the bolded message.

  Orders are to lay off you when you're with your boyfriend.

  That was it, the whole message. I sat back in my chair, staring at it.

  Boyfriend.

  Ashur.

  Not anyone else, as evidenced by the sloppy work they'd done in front of multiple people. Now, why the hell would that be? I tapped my fingers on the desk, frowning.

  "Something wrong?" Ashur asked, glancing up from his pad.

  "No. Everything's fine."

  It sure was something to think about.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I didn't tell Ashur about the email.

  Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do, but I already knew he wouldn't be okay with being any farther away than he already was when we were out on jobs. Even getting him to stay as far back as he did was difficult. If I told him, I knew he would start watching me like a hawk to make sure I didn't slip away without him.

  He knew me too well.

  Even apart from that, there was always the possibility that the anonymous tipper wasn't actually trying to help me at all, but was actually just trying to make it easier for my attackers to get to me.

  If I really thought about it, had he or she actually given me any useful information so far? I'd been told to watch my back. General and unneeded. I always watched my back. Then he or she warned me just a little too late about an attack. Now the same person was telling me that I needed to get rid of my protection.

  All of that added up to a big fat zero in the way of practical help.

  So I didn't say anything to Ashur, and we kept trying to draw out whoever it was who wanted my head.

  There was the briefcase I dropped at a doctor's office. The receptionist gave me a suspicious look, but nothing came of it. Probably she gave anyone who came in a suspicious look.