Page 37 of Hostile Saint

Three sets of shoulders shrugged. “What?”

Since Lynx wasn’t permitting ‘the baby’ out of the house, except for the back porch, the treadmill ended up being an excellent idea. Elle understood that my body needed to have my blood pumping to promote more healing. Lynx had argued that my ‘blood’ could pump indoors until he was convinced I was safe elsewhere.

Dagger said it was imperative I trust Lynx, that he had a snout that was a bullshit detector. Dagger also said Lynx was picking up a shitty trail that he feared led straight back to my fake family.

The exercise equipment was a tad intimidating at first, due to discomfort with my wounds and a fear of having another set-back, but every day I got a little stronger. With almost every step I took, I thought about Lace and how gaining strength would soon benefit her. Lynx told me he would take me to Serenity as soon as he thought it wise to move me about. Until then, he had others watching over her. We received regular reports that she was still doing well.

Believing in Elle’s recommendations, I swallowed every herb pill I was offered. I even went so far as to drink her horrid hot tea that tasted like freshly cut grass mixed with urine. I lacked the education to understand her methods but was willing to do anything that had a chance of hurrying up this whole healing process. Elle even had me swallowing a tablespoon of some special honey that was from some forest in another country. No problem. Bottoms up!

Then, a monumental day presented itself. My stitches were being removed.

Doc was fascinated. “I don’t know what miracle drug they’re feeding you, but your body is responding in record time.”

I hadn’t, nor would I ever, forget Elle’s kindness. How she was the one who told me about my mom, then from afar, practically nursed me back to health. I couldn’t wait to meet her in person and hug her with all the gratitude I was feeling toward her.

Now with no stitches, back to the treadmill I went. I knew Lynx would stand by his word and let me see Lacey as soon as I could prove I had the strength. As days passed, my brisk walk turned into a light jog. In that garage, I may have been jogging in place, but in my mind, I was running straight to my girl. I chased that beautiful smile…

Days passed…

Before I knew it, Lynx was hitting the stop button and tossing me a hand-towel. “Enough for tonight.”

Wiping my sweaty face, I smirked while taking the last steps before the machine came to a complete stop. “I’m running now.”

Over his broad shoulder that had been carrying my weight, he sneered, “I have eyes, smart ass.” As he walked into the kitchen, I caught the smile he was trying to hide while he grumbled, “Shower, then dinner.”

The door shut.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, even though he couldn’t hear me.

I lifted my arms above my head in celebration. “Yes, sir!” So fucking proud of myself.

In the rental car, I was being driven to the Serenity Institute. My heart thundered with excitement. I didn’t even care that we had a bit of an escort of a couple bikes tagging along a few cars back. Today was the day I might possibly get my first glance at Lacey. Even though it had been only a couple of weeks, it felt like decades had passed since I’d seen her.

The car was traveling at about forty-five miles an hour, but felt as though it would have lost a race to a snail. My knee bounced with anticipation.

“Easy, kid. No one will take this day from you.”

Lynx was in the backseat with me, while Vice drove, and Dagger sat in the passenger seat.

“Sorr—” I stopped apologizing when sharp grey eyes found me.

He dipped his chin at my efforts. “Own those feelings, Pup.”

Dagger grumbled, “We’re starting to sound like a goddamn Oprah show.”

Vice burst out laughing. “Ya gotta admit, the bitch knows her shit.”

One blue eye glared at Vice while shaking his head. “Just stop.”

“What?” innocently shrugged the man who could barely fit behind the steering wheel.

Chuckling, Lynx backhanded my thigh. “Talk. Tell me what is happening in that pea brain of yours.”

Not able to take it anymore, I rushed out, “Vice is driving too slow.”

“The fuck?” griped Vice.

Lynx’s blond hair fell in his face as he laughed. “Well, seeing how we are trying to maintain a low profile with the young man who, technically, should be dead, I think following the speed limit is advisable. What else are you feeling?”