"Did you get it out?" She asks, her voice scratchy.
Xavier points to the pan where the lead is sitting, and Quiyl grabs Lee's hand, squeezing it tightly.
"Thank god, thank you both. I know you did what you could." She turns to me, noticing the tube running between my left arm and his right. "Geneva, you didn't have too..."
I wave it off, and she smiles, the expression not quite reaching her eyes. "For my friends, I will do anything."
Chapter 48
An hour passes as we wait for him to awaken, various people coming in to check as they hear the news. Dainan, Bella and Phoenix are the latest, James, Anthony, Avyanna and Idris had left for our second raid of the day. We make small talk, Xavier keeping an eye on the timer for how long I have been giving blood.
"His pulse is steadier and stronger; another half an hour and I am stopping the transfusion. Should be strong enough by then." Xavier dictates to Sonji, his fingers pressed into Lee's wrist.
I look to his face, noticing the colour coming back. His eyelids flicker, and I nudge Quiyl awake, who was dozing against the stretcher, his hand still clasped in hers. Lee opens his eyes and winces as he breathes, and Quiyl stands to place a kiss on his forehead.
"Morning, dumbass." She says, her voice tight. "You shouldn't have done that for me, I have been so scared..."
He goes to move his arm I am attached too, so I gently pin it down. "Can't hug her fully yet, you still need blood, my friend."
"Beloved, I would have done the same thing over again, my only regret being I couldn't see your smile ever again." His voice is rough, but strong.
"Wow, Mr. Cheeseball over here." Phoenix nudged Bella with a laugh.
"You will get used to his antics. I am so sorry about your Aunt by the way, Bella. If you ever need to talk, we are here for you." I say, and her face falls a bit before smiling. "Again, I am sure the others have said, but st
ay here as long as you need. We are always welcome to those nice and non-infected people."
"Thanks guys. We are so happy we found you. We are going to stay for a while." Phoenix answers, smiling as well. "We ended up going to a few places before Bella's Aunt’s, so we have mattresses. Violet already explained the board and we have claimed a room."
"How are you feeling?" Sonji asks, checking his temperature with the back of her hand.
"Well my chest feels like someone ran a train over it but otherwise okay."
"Pain from one to ten, ten being 'kill me now'?" Xavier asks.
"Around a seven."
Xavier roots around in a bag for a moment before bringing out a few bottles, popping them open and arranging the pills. "A painkiller, anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic. He is taking them at two in the afternoon."
Sonji writes down the time then lays the clipboard down. "I am going to go see Lynx, I will be back to keep an eye on him in about an hour? Just need to take a walk."
Xavier shoos her off, and then finds chairs for everyone else. He walks over to me while cleaning his hands with sanitizer. "He's awake so I am going to call it on the blood transfusion."
He removes both needles quickly and then directs me to lay down for a bit, handing me more juice. I protest, and he shuts me down with a glare, so I comply.
"Thanks Geneva, for everything." Lee says, turning his face to me.
"Anything for a friend." I say with a wink, then speak in a whiny tone, "Doctor, how long do I have to stay here?"
"Eva, I swear." Xavier promises, and I blink my eyes innocently. "You can amuse yourself for half an hour while I make sure you don't faint."
I stick my tongue out and he pokes me in the nose, and I smirk. Xavier hands me the Dracula book I was reading, and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I saw it on desk when I woke up, figured you would like a bit of material. This way you can not annoy me.” He comments, and I roll my eyes.
“Darling, I will never not annoy you, but it is only because we are dating. It’s like they say, pick someone you can annoy for the rest of your life.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” Quiyl comments with a smirk, and Lee pouts playfully.
“I am not that annoying!”
“You totally are my friend, but that’s why we love you.” Violet walked in, and Lee broke character, laughing.
“I admit I am a tad annoying, but that’s it.”
“How are you feeling, friend?” Her tone changed, becoming serious.
“Like I was hit by the bus, but glad to be alive thanks to our amazing medics and Geneva.” Lee responded, squeezing Quiyl’s hand and using his other to place on my knee where I am laying.
I held up my arm, showing the bandage from where the needle was. “I donated my life essence as he lost a lot. We should test everyone willing too, by the way, just in case something like this is ever needed again.”
Xavier nods, retrieving a clipboard and writing on it quickly. “Tonight, during dinner, I shall bring it up and see who is willing. We already know you are an A-positive, and I am an O-negative.”
“I am also an A-positive.” Violet explains, patting Lee’s knee. “I am so happy you are okay. You are off all duties for at least two weeks, other than maybe watch but I will leave that up to your doctor when you can move again.”
“You are not leaving that bed for at least a week so get comfy. We do not want to risk you opening the wound again.” Xavier put in, and Lee sighed good-naturedly.
“Of course, Doctor.” He responds, a little sarcastically.
“I shall take over the other bed for the first few nights just to make sure I am nearby in case anything happens. Geneva, I am sure you are fine for a few nights by yourself.”
“I have been sleeping alone for what, sixteen years? I am sure I can handle it.” I respond, mouth quirked in sarcasm, then drop my voice lower. “Finally get to sprawl out again.”
“If that’s how you really feel shall we trade our mattress for two twins?” He teased, and I shook my head.
“Nope, because you are just going to have to deal with the way I sprawl.” I respond, and he shakes his head.
“Girls, right?” Lee pipes in, and Quiyl smacks his shoulder gently.
“You would have died or hurt yourself in so many ways by now if I did not act as your common sense so do not act like you do not need us.” Quiyl says, and Lee rolls his eyes.
“You might have a bit of a point there.” He says, defeatedly.
“Awww cheer up, I will let you go be dumb soon, first you have to heal that huge hole in your torso though.”
“Bella and I are going to go help with dinner.” Phoenix announces while standing, Bella standing up beside her.
“Quiyl, want to come with me and I will help bring down things he needs to sleep?” Dainan offers, and Quiyl nods, pressing one last kiss to Lee’s lips before leaving.
“Alright Evie, I think you are good to leave if you wish?” Xavier says, and I immediately spring up off the bed.
“Thank god!” I say, and Xavier and Lee chuckle. “Now, I shall go raid Xavier and I’s room and find you some reading material for the next little bit. I will go chat with the others and make sure they know you are okay and to come visit.”
Chapter 49
Xavier kisses my cheek and sends me out with a wave, Lee saying goodbye as I leave. The first thing I notice is Bella and Phoenix laughing, standing really close together through the kitchen door. Bella looks up to the fiery redhead with a loving look, going un-noticed by Phoenix as she slices vegetables for dinner. I shake my head, noting to myself to talk to Bella later. I sprint up the stairs, two at a time, and go to our room. The worn book bindings feel so comforting to me, and I get lost in finding books to bring to Lee and to read myself. I barely notice the room getting darker as the sun sets and am snapped out of my trance by a gentle knock on the door.
“Come in!” I shout, adding the book I was holding to the pile to bring Lee.
“Hey! Was just wondering if you guys do a nightly check on the plants?” Sonji as
kes, and then comes further into the room, her eyes caught on the wall of books. “Wow, I never realized how many books are here.”
“Feel free to take any you want. This was an old English class, so they have a bunch of the classics, a bit more selection that just the library.” I tell her, smiling. “Soon I am planning on asking one of the people with cars to drive to my house, so I can get my books if possible.”
“I would be down to come with and be manual labour as long as I get first pick of what books to borrow.” Sonji offers.
“Course!” I smile to her. “I meant to come down earlier, just got lost in universes that aren’t ours. Ones that I went too in better times, so attached with old memories.”
“I understand. Books take you to a time away from here, but usually you return with good memories.” She grabs a copy of Wicked and strokes the cover lovingly. “The can be as comforting as old friends, a good escape from the bad as well.”
Her and I chuckle softly, smiling at each other. “Wonderful way to put it. Anyways I promised this reading material to Lee like….an hour ago. Oops.”
She patted my back and began walking to the door with me. “I’ll come as back-up. Anyways, Quiyl, Bella and Phoenix made a killer salad so good even Lee wanted some so you better hurry.”
I cheer, and we continue downstairs, our footsteps echoing in the stairway. James and Dainan wave to us as we pass, their other hands holding a bowl of salad each. I drop the books off with a quick apology to Lee, who told me he expected it when he heard me say I went to get books. I may have then added to his array of bruises and then left, Sonji following laughing loudly. I sit down beside Xavier, who smiles at me and squeezes my hand. I dig into the salad with appreciative sounds, and Xavier laughs into his salad.
Bella and Phoenix are sitting across from me, and Bella was giving Phoenix heart-eyes as she is talking about trees and what she learned from chatting with Quiyl. I nudge Xavier and gesture subtly, and he winks at me with a knowing smirk.
“No need to interfere my love, I am sure Bella will make a move soon.” He mumbled to me, his lips brushing my earlobe as he pretended to lean for butter across me.
“But I want to help the love along! Phoenix is such a catch!” I reply quietly, and Xavier’s mouth quirks down and shakes his head in frustration, knowing my mind is made up.
“Now then, we seemed to have settled into a routine we will stick too it. Tomorrow we should stick to building that wall, trying to make this place as safe as possible.” Idris says, checking a clipboard as he talks.
“If possible, I would like to do another round of some of our houses for anything we missed and raid a few more places tomorrow. I would love to hit up the garden center downtown and rob some of the seeds so what we are missing in the greenhouse we will have.” I speak up after Idris nods to my raised hand.
“In that case I think stealth might be best. A small party that can keep on the down low and move where needed. After dinner Liam has mentioned he wishes to run a quick self defense class and test for everyone, that could help decide who joins that party.” Idris responds, and Liam rises to talk after he’s done.
“Just want to have an assessment of skills and talk to everyone about what they might want to work on. Because of the times we were discussing running self defence classes at least twice a week to keep everyone sharp and give us some exercise. Obviously if you are injured we will let you rest.” He explains and a few groans, but everyone agrees it was a good idea.
“Aww I am missing the self defence class? Damnit.” Lee moans from the bed Xavier wheeled him in on so he wasn’t alone.
“I am sure we can just leave you off to the side…” Xavier says, then stares at him seriously, saying the next words with an underlying threatening tone. “To only watch, correct?”
He nodded quickly and Quiyl laughed, Lee turning and mouthing ‘help me’ to her, holding his salad plate between his and Xavier’s gaze.
“Since my injury is healed can I join?” Quiyl asked, and Xavier nodded.
“Feel anything weird and come see me please, even if I am in a match I will stop if I can. Or Sonji, or Geneva can look.”
I nod my assent, Sonji echoing the motion as she eats the last of her salad.
“The perimeter still needs work, so we will be placing pads on all the practicing and match areas to avoid injuries. If you get hurt, do not suck it up and bear it. You must be careful when something so important as our security is at stake.” Anthony implores, and we all nod as he catches our eyes individually.
“Now, Idris and I will take care of dishes if everyone wishes to go change that would be great. Then come back down and meet at the gym in twenty minutes? We will make it a short session and planning sleeping sessions, so everyone gets at least six hours!” Violet rounds up, clapping her hands and everyone get up to leave.
Chapter 50
I walk out of the cafeteria holding Xavier’s hand and walk over to where Quiyl is wheeling Lee back to the nurse’s office. “Quiyl, if you want I can sleep in your room tonight, so you aren’t alone?”
“I appreciate that Geneva, but I think I will be okay. I will keep it in mind if I can’t fall asleep, I’ll just come cuddle with you!” She winks at me flirtishly, and Lee makes some protesting noises. “Oh shush, you are just mad you can’t be part of a two-girl cuddle.”
He huffs, and she laughs, waving us off as we head to the stairs. Xavier surprises me by sweeping me up in his arms and running up the stairs, my pealing laugh bouncing up the enclosed column of steps.
“Xavier, oh my god, do not drop me!” I squeal between laughs, clutching the back of his neck.
“My darling, I would never let you down!” He promises with a heroic glint in his eyes, using his thigh to open the door from the stairs, then to our room.
He nudges open the door with his foot and places me down, letting the door shut behind him with a final thud. He locks the door and looks to me with a hungry gaze. I gulp, the heat under my skin intensifying with the ravenous sweep of his eyes from my toes to my head. His steps are firm but soundless as he crosses the room to me, his warm hands enclosing my waist with a light squeeze.
“Indulge me my love?” He whispers, pressing feather like kisses from below my ear to my collarbone, nipping it lightly. “I wish to help you change that wonderful body to gym attire.”
I feel the gentle press of his kisses and gasp aloud at the thought, my heart thudding against my breastbone. My eyes catch his dark ones, his pupils blown wide with desire. I find myself nodding before I fully process the idea, and he growls deep in his throat with a sharp smile.
He stares deep in my eyes as I feel his hands catch the bottom of my shirt and sweep upwards slowly, his pace deliberate as he just gazes at me. My cheeks heat as the cool air rushes over my now exposed skin, finally noticing my hands doing the same to his shirt. The one light in the room glints off the necklace he has resting on his bare skin, his thin profile hiding his muscular form with a plunging v-line. My sweater interrupts my touch as he pulls it off me, throwing it to the floor and slamming our bodies together as I let out a breathy gasp.
“My beloved, you are simply breathtaking.” He bites my earlobe gently as he whispers this, his hands gently caressing my sides. “Am I allowed to continue my dear? No pressure say no if you must.”
“Yes, one hundred percent yes.” I moan, and he bites hard, eliciting another moan.
“If you keep those noises up we are going to be a lot of more than twenty minutes late.” His voice rasps, his thumbs hooking into the band of my leggings. “Now, I wish to continue observing the masterpiece that is my girlfriend.”
His words cause my whole body to feel like electricity was shooting around it, everywhere he touched it felt like sparks. The tough callus of his fingers scraped against the soft skin of my hips, him bending slowly as he released my upper torso and began kissing the exposed skin of my right leg down the side. The wall caught me as I leaned back, the sensation almost too mu
ch for me to stand. He let my leggings drop to my toes, pulling my feet up gently one at a time to remove the article of clothing. My left leg gets his attention next, him trailing the kisses back upwards as he slowly stands. When he is fully standing I return the favor, gently undoing his jeans and letting them start to fall. His breath catches as I let them drop, my hands slowly trailing up his chest to feel his heart pounding him standing there in his boxers and myself in a bra and panties.
“What I want to do to you right now is not appropriate, so I suggest we cool off a tad before I rip your remaining clothing off.” He pants, and I tilt my head before nodding slowly, attempting to calm myself down. “You are the most desirable masterpiece I have ever seen, but for now I will follow the rule of no touching. You should change into your clothing, I do not think I could move right now.”
I chuckle deeply, moving to my backpack with a sensuous sway of my hips, leaning down as slow as possible to rifle through it. My hairbrush falls out of the bag, and I catch it, finding a hair tie as well. As I turn back to where he is standing I hear him keen in a deep tone, seemingly unable to hold back sounds. I place my items on the desk and begin by brushing my hair back with flourish, putting it in a short ponytail. I step one leg at a time into my shorts and pull them northward slowly, feeling the heat of his gaze watch my every move.
“You fucking tease, Eva.” He whimpers, and I wink at him.
“Oh, my heart, turn about fair play.” I slip on my shirt with a determined slowness, letting it fall after it past my chest. “Now, I am off to the gym to beat some ass, join when you can walk.”
Chapter 51
The last words are thrown in his direction as I walk from the room, unlocking and leaving quickly, letting a smile break across my face as the door shuts. I catch Violet waiting outside and we begin walking to the stairs.
“You look like the cat that ate the budgie. Get your man going a bit did ya?” She asks knowingly, giggling as a fresh blush rushes across my face. “It’s okay. I won’t tell, it is fun. But the payback is even better.”
Friends Against The World (Book 1): Bite Me Page 20