One Week Later
Noé POV
The incessant beeping has become a soothing melody full of relief to my ears in the dreary hospital room. Guilt grips me and leaves me remaining seated at Winter’s side, watching, waiting, and locking my tears away deep inside. The room is luxurious better than any hospital room I’ve seen or been in.
It’s decorated with flowers, balloons and stuffed animals, mostly courtesy of Milo, but to me it’s still dark, bleak. Everything has been mundane since I saw Winter collapse with blood pouring out of her. A horrific sight that I can’t get out of my head.
It’s my fault.
She saved me, my negligence, my continued failure, it has led to Winter lying in a hospital bed. It’s my fault, I was so focused on Emily I didn’t notice the bastard was still breathing. That shot was meant for me and Winter took it instead.
Hours of surgery, a close call, and a blood transfusion. All because I didn’t pay attention.
“Noé, you need to eat something.” Emily’s words are underlined with irritation or impatience as she places the container of food next to me. She and Harley have been alternating the days they come to give me food. Most of the time I don’t eat it, giving the food to one of Winter’s nurses instead.
“Not hungry” How does anyone expect me to have an appetite? Just seeing Winter lie here takes away any hunger or discomfort. It’s been over a week and she’s still not awake, my worry and guilt are all I feel. Not hunger, not exhaustion, and no concern for work and a still absent Reuben.
Emily lets out a rough sigh, signaling that she’s about to lecture me. Setting whatever food her private chef made for her down on the bedside table she stands next to me, hands on her hips. I know she’s not really here for Winter, or me, she’s only here because Harley comes with Milo on his visits.
“I know you’re upset about Winter and you want to be here for her, but until she wakes up, Noé there’s nothing you can do.” She’s right, I know that but it doesn’t make me budge. She lets out another exasperated sigh, pulling up a chair and sitting next to me.
“It’ll be good for you to get some fresh air. Take a break from this room. You know Winter wouldn’t want you just sitting here and not taking care of yourself.” She’s right, I know but it’s like my feet are nailed to the floor.
“I’m fine Emily.” I want to be here in case she wakes up. Winter’s spent all her life alone, I’m not leaving her.
“You’re clearly not fine Noé, nothing is fine right now. Dad is gone and being hunted by the Malone’s, mom has become a shut in. Reggie has practically disbanded the family and Roman is drinking every day. Winter is lying in a hospital bed and…the love of my life won’t take care of herself.”
The confession that I’ve been waiting to hear, doesn’t come as a relief like I always assumed it would. Instead, it agitates me, that now of all times, she decides to tell this to me. Maybe seeing the dark side of the world has put things into perspective for her, but she’s still young and naive. Her understanding is still skewed.
After our argument about this very conversation and my resolve to move on, I can’t help but feel that her admission is a bit too late. Looking over at the girl I contemplate comforting her and telling her I want to be alone.
Reggie and Emily have been coddled for too long. Reuben always wants us to sugarcoat shit, but now that he’s here, I don’t see the need to.
“You should listen to your girlfriend. Winter never did like people fussing over her.” My scowl and distaste is immediate as Natasha and her wife, retired police officer Maria Bailey come strolling in the room.
“How the fuck would you know? You abandoned her, remember?” My patience and irritation with everyone, especially the bitch who left her child on the streets. Natasha Dixon, Winter’s mother, is supposed to be dead, yet somehow Milo found her when Winter needed a blood transfusion.
Only her mother was compatible, unfortunately. And now the bitch thinks she’s a necessity or wanted in Winter’s life. She faked her death and didn’t bother trying to help her starving, cold, homeless child when she got her shit together.
“You look like a smart girl, you should know things aren’t always as they seem.” Natasha strolls in, sitting on the opposite side of Winter’s bed, as her husband sets down another gift. She brings one every time she visits, as if that’ll change all the years she missed.
“So, how long have you been in love with my daughter?” Emily stiffens next to me and I roll my eyes at the woman.
“I’m not explaining a damn thing to you, why don’t you pay attention to your daughter, for once. Or you could just get the fuck out.” I’m done with everyone today. She chuckles unbothered, looking down at Winter, brushing her hair away from her face.
“My daughter was far better without me than she was with me. And she was damn sure better away from Reuben.” I scoff shaking my head, she actually believes the bullshit she’s telling me right now.
“I don’t care if you believe me, Ms. Saville” my emotions are quickly sealed and I’m prepared to kill her if I have to. How the hell does this woman know me? I glance at her silent retired police wife. I don’t trust her, or really believe everything she says…but I also know some of this may be slightly true.
“Reuben never wanted Winter, you truly believe that a man with those connections didn’t know where his own kid was, please. Don’t be naive, be loyal but not blind. Reuben didn’t want Winter and hated me even more. He would’ve killed us both to clean up his mess.” My mind flashes back to Reuben’s office weeks ago when he beat Winter.
I’ve been around Reuben for a while and he was ready to kill Winter. And she was ready to do the same when he threatened me. There wasn’t an instance of father or daughter there, it was 2 hot-tempered individuals who refused to back down.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Judging by that look on your face you’ve seen his true hatred for her first hand. Let me guess, he beat her didn’t he? Reuben always throws temper tantrums when things don’t go his way.” Natasha sighs before standing with a nod.
“Well, excuse me, there’s business to take care of.” Natasha and her husband leave, allowing the room to fall silent again. I hope Winter didn’t hear any of that shit. I’m not sure what the story is but it doesn’t matter, she was just a kid, and as far as I can tell they’ve both treated her like shit.
“Did dad really beat her? I heard people talking about it at the house…but I couldn’t really believe it.” I look at Emily as she breaks the silence, leaning back in my chair with a sigh.
“Yeah, we both got our assess beat. Hers was a lot worse than mine.”
“But…why?” She’s been trying to be more involved, but she’s simply not built for this shit. She can’t handle blood let alone the constant death that surrounds us. Emily tries to see the good in people, but there is no good here, all of our hands are stained. We’re killers and we don’t apologize for it.
“Do you really want to know?” She hesitates and I take that as an answer. “It doesn’t matter anyway, It’s not for you to know.” I shake my head, looking at Winter lying in the bed. She’s changed since we’ve first met
“I’m so tired of everyone telling me that. I’m treated like I’m some kid and I’m not.” Emily’s tantrum has me raising my brow, she’s acting like a child now.
“W-Well, I’m not, stop looking at me like that, Noé.”
“Then stop throwing a tantrum. We’re just trying to protect you and the view that you have of your family.”
“But I want the truth.”
“You don’t.”
“Yes, I do and I can handle it. Or would you just rather talk to Harley Rose?” I knew that’s why she’s really here. She’s jealous and insecure and intimidated. And she fucking should be, Harley is sexy as hell, not my usual type but damn she’s so strong and reliable.
She’s a grown ass woman that can handle her own, me, and some.
I look back at Emily, seeing the fierce resolve in her eyes and shake my head. If she wants to remove the blinders then I’m not going to stop her, even if it will fuck her up in the head. She should be old enough to understand that we’re all pieces of shit.
“Tell me what happened, Noé, please.”
“Fine, but only the summed up version.” Emily nods enthusiastically, sitting up and turning in her chair so she’s facing me.
“Winter got word that her old associate was looking for her, hunting her down. He was obsessed with Winter and let everyone know it. When Winter heard she devised a plan and went to meet him herself.”
“Seriously?” That’s insane, he could’ve hurt her.”
“Winter can handle herself, that’s why she didn’t wait around. She found Travis and killed him, unfortunately, she did so in Milo Malone’s club. Thus, invoking Reuben’s wrath. He beat her ass for her recklessness, and Roman beat mine because I’m ultimately responsible for her.” And I’ve failed to protect her twice now.
“So, you’re not in love with her then? You’re just responsible for her.” Of course that’s all she cares about right now. Yet, before the banquet when I wanted to have a serious conversation she wanted to have an attitude and be childish.
She refused to talk about anything concerning us and told me that she’s done “stressing over whatever this is”, so I took Winter’s advice. I’m starting to move on but of course she notices and comes to reel me back in.
“Noé? Aren’t you going to say something? I mean you wanted to talk right?” This girl.
I can practically hear Winter’s smirk as I stare at her unconscious face.
“Emily…” her name leaves my lips followed by an exasperated sigh. I shift my eyes to her but the 2 pairs of boots have my eyes snapping up to see Milo and Harley Rose.
“Excuse us, we are just here to check on Winter’s progress.” Milo comes over, setting his daily gift on the nightstand. Unlike the flowers and balloons that I know Winter won’t give a fuck about, Milo brings shit like cigars, premium drinks, jewelry, things nobody else would get in a hospital.
Milo and Harley have been very formal towards everyone. His eyes are always blazing, analyzing, and scheming but his expression stays stoic. The aura around him is no longer carefree and nonchalant, it’s tense and suffocating.
Whereas Winter is Snow, Milo is like fire. They’re complete opposites. Different sides of the same coin. They get along perfectly, and that understanding and desire to know more grew their relationship to one so unique and rare.
I almost envy it.
He comes every day at 8pm on the dot.
“Is it 8 already?”
“I tried to tell you to take a break from this room.” Emily’s mumbling has me slowly cutting my eyes at her, effectively shutting her up but not without a final eye roll.
“Actually, Mr. Malone, and Mr. Saville are waiting for you both outside the room.”
“My dad is here?!” I roll eyes at Emily’s naivety.
“Unfortunately, no, your brother.” I don’t miss the edge in Milo’s voice as he says “unfortunately”. I’ve had a hunch he’s been looking for Reuben, shit we all have. But the man has disappeared. Not even Delilah knows where he’s gone. She’s taking all of this shit pretty roughly, her moods fluctuate between pissed and depressed. She’s a damn mess.
“If anything changes, please call me.”
“You’ll be the first to know, Ms. Divino.”
“Please, just call me Sparrow.”
“Very well.” I kiss Winter’s head a few times before gathering my things. Emily walks out ahead of me, arms crossed and full of attitude which I ignore. I’m really not in the mood for his shit. I move to walk past Harley but she gently grabs my hand, slipping a bag into my fingers.
“I’m not hungry.” I don’t dare look at her face, that same fire that seems like a threat in Milo’s eyes, is comforting consumption in Harley’s. Her fire pulls me in, inevitably it will burn me and swallow me until I’m nothing but ash in her hand.
“So eat it when you are.” Damn, that sentence shouldn’t have made my mind turn left, but it did. Her tone leaves no room for argument, like a gentle scolding. A silent message that she doesn’t want to put me in my place, but she will. And I secretly love when she does.
“I don’t want takeout or restaurant food right now.” I try to give the bag back but she shakes her head, tucking her hands into her bomber jacket. Her gray jeans hug her sexy toned legs and her black wife beater only seems to enhance her breast. And those boots….damn she’s like a sexy biker, it’s really not fair.
“I know, I made it myself.” Fuck, she cooks too.
“I’m go-oh.” A surprised gasp escapes my lips as Harley roughly tugs me towards her, her hand on my chin and her lips dangerously close. Such a tease, and fucking unfair. I’m never surprised by anyone, but somehow, this damn woman manages to always catch me off-guard. I don’t know if I should be alarmed or allured, but right now I’m leaning toward the latter.
“I’m not asking. I made it for you, so eat it later. I’ll call later to make sure.” I gulp with a nod as she releases me.
Even putting me in my place she doesn’t look arrogant. There’s only a fire that burns my soul every time her eyes are on me, assessing me.
“You don’t need to call.” She raises her brow, knowing as well as I do that, that’s not what I want. But I can’t let her take all my pride.
“I’ll stop by then.” She nods and walks to my previous seat, ending the conversation. She’s just impossible. I head towards the door when Milo calls my name.
“Sparrow?”
“Yes, Mr. Malone.” I turn to address him but his eyes are locked on Winter, blazing brighter than before.
“Do you think she can hear us?” I look at Winter, thinking about the arguments I’ve had with her sudden present mother. Emily and my conversation today.
“I fucking hope not.” I leave the room without another word, where Reggie and Roman are waiting. Reggie refuses to step foot inside the room, something about his mother but I think it’s just an excuse. Roman has been so busy taking care of Alan’s old responsibilities, Reggie, and the rest of the mafia, I’ve barely seen him.
But he looks like shit.
“So you’ll take her food?”
“Do you really want to do this? Right here, right now?” We’re locked in a heated stare off, frustration and stubbornness reflected in each other’s eyes.
“That’s enough, we need to go talk.” Reggie nods towards the exit and we all follow him without a word.