“Yes. Sorry.” She knelt and checked all of the clothes. There were a few other weapons, but for the most part, all she found were knives. After two guns were emptied of their ammo, she whispered, “Done.”
“Thank you,” he replied. While keeping focused on the group, he picked up their weapons and handed a couple of the knives to Elaina, then pocketed the rest.
“You’re a pig!” one of the women shouted at Gunther, doing her best to cover herself with her arms.
Guessing she was in her early twenties, full of piss and vinegar, and quite stupid, he took two long strides and got in her face.
“What was that?” Gunther questioned with an eerie calmness that made him look like he was edging on the side of psychotic.
“Just be quiet!” the older man hissed.
“Get away from her!” the younger man growled.
Gunther pegged him for maybe sixteen or seventeen. With a smirk, he stepped up to the halfwit’s chest, squatting just enough so he could be nose-to-nose with him.
“Or what?” Gunther drawled, a twisted glimmer in his eyes.
“I will tear you apart,” he said in a low growl, chin high.
Gunther was still for a few seconds, their eyes locked. Then he burst out laughing. “Wait… Say that again, but like you mean it this time.” He rolled into a full belly laugh. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry. That’s the best one I’ve heard in a while.” Elaina and Nick chuckled right along with him.
“Fuck you,” he snarled.
“First off, I’m spoken for. Secondly, I don’t swing that way. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It’s just not my thing.” The well-proven twit shoved Gunther, which was a mistake. He laughed again, which only served to further humiliate the nearly naked boy. “You want to fight me, lass?” He took a step back. “All right. Let’s give it a go. Elaina, hold my gun.”
“Stop it, Eli,” snarled the young girl next to him. “Just do what he says.”
Gunther smirked and Eli stepped back. “Wise young bird…to a point,” he said, glancing down at her swollen belly. “Get dressed, all of you, then get back in line.”
After Gunther stepped back behind the pile of clothing, the group rushed out and grabbed their rags, dressing quickly. Tucking his Sig away, the smile and standing with his hands behind his back showed his confidence. Nick followed suit, but he stayed right where he was.
“Now, do tell me why you were sneaking about?”
The older man spoke up, “We were looking for a place to stay, and we were trying to see if this area was occupied.”
“Ah, yes,” Gunther chuckled. “The old sneak attack. Brill plan.”
“Fuck you,” Eli growled.
All three of the women yelled, “Eli!”
“Oh, Eli, you are pressing your luck with me. You’re lucky I have been patient.”
“What’s he going to do? Shoot me?”
“I could, or we could have some fun. I love a good fight. Sadly, you wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Maybe we should do a proper introduction. I’m Gunther. These are my mates and co-conspirators, Elaina and Nick,” he said, then paused. He hoped someone would reciprocate before he blew his top.
They must have figured out he was barking mad. “I’m Ben. This is Jane, Lauren, Mara, and Eli.”
“Pleasure meeting you all. Now, what can we do for you?”
“We need shelter and food,” Ben replied. “My daughter, Lauren, is pregnant. She needs to rest.”
A shudder raced through him, remembering Willow’s birth. “And how do I know you won’t harm my people?”
“How can we? You took our weapons, asshole,” Eli growled.
“Eli, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I will beat you down myself.” Mara looked at Gunther. “Gunther, was it?” He nodded. “Please excuse this asshat next to me. He’s a douchebag.”
Gunther smirked. “I gathered that, but before I make any decisions, I need to address my whole group.”
“How many do you have?” Ben asked.
“That’s none of your concern. Elaina, Nick…watch them. I’ll go in and address the rest of the group.”
“No problem, bossman,” Elaina replied with a salute.
“That a girl,” he murmured. He winked and walked off, but then had a thought and stopped in his tracks. After a short purposeful pause, he turned back around. The evil glimmer had returned to his eyes. “Just in case you are wondering if you can overpower my mates here, think again. I have snipers ready and waiting.” Gunther’s lips curled into a devilish grin as the group looked around, trying to find the imaginary snipers. He stalked off to the building, stifling a chuckle.
When he made it to the side door, Quinn was there with a Sig in her hand. Did these people not know how to follow instructions, Gunther thought. She unchained the door and opened it.
With a more worried tone than normal, she asked, “Is everyone okay?”
Gunther stroked her cheek with his thumb to ease her mind. “Of course. I need to address everyone. We’ll meet in the hallway outside Henry and Elaina’s room. Go find Cora and Josie. I’m going to go get Henry and Thomas. Hurry back.”
“What’s going on?” Quinn asked as they jogged down the hall together.
“There’s another group outside. Just go find them, then I’ll address everyone at once.”
Quinn took off toward the cafeteria, and he headed down to the hall where the rooms were. Gunther rapped on Henry and Elaina’s door.
I released a loud groan when some fuckface knocked on my door again. Without waiting for my permission, whoever it was opened it.
“It’s your B.F.F. I need you awake.”
The urgency in Gunther’s voice got me to sit up quickly, making my head spin. “What’s going on?” There was more gravel in my throat than in a driveway.
“Just get up. I need to have a brief meeting with everyone. Can you stand, or do you need help?”
“Yeah, I think I got it.” Rising to my knees, steadying myself with my arms out, I grabbed my shirt, but lacked the energy to put it on.
“If you’re okay, I’m going to go find Thomas.” I waved him off. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
I slowly brought myself to my feet, staggering and weaving to the doorway. Latching onto the doorframe, I pulled myself into the hall. While I was leaning against the wall, everyone appeared one-by-one.
“Okay, everyone, listen up,” Gunther barked as he marched back down the hall, herding the others. Christ, why must he be so loud? I cringed and rubbed my temples. “There’s a small group outside who need shelter and food.”
My hands stopped rubbing my temple and started to rub my face. I really wanted to go back to bed rather than deal with anything. I couldn’t wait for the bloody detox to end.
“No. Absolutely not,” Cora countered. “I’m not putting strangers in here with my kids.”
Placing his hands on his hips, Gunther looked at her. “One of the women is pregnant. She’s young,” he added.
“How far along is she?” Quinn asked.
“I have no idea. She’s quite potbellied. Maybe sixteen or so. There’s one lad who’s a little feisty, but I can handle him.”
“You’ve searched them?” I asked.
“Yes,” Gunther replied. “We’ve confiscated all their weapons.” He jammed his hands in his pockets and pulled out an array of items.
I sighed. “How many?”
“Five. Older bloke, woman, and three late teens/early twenties.”
“Family?” No matter how many times I tried to clear my throat, my voice stayed gravelly. Sweat beaded up and I wiped it away with the shirt in my hand.
“Yeah.”
“I think we should go ahead and allow them a place to stay,” I said.
“But what about my kids?” Cora asked in anger.
Gunther stepped in front of her and took her by the shoulders, looking her in the eyes. “I will protect them with my life. I promise you, nothing will happen to them.”
&nbs
p; “How can you promise that?” The group was antsy, feeling the nervousness radiating from her. “I couldn’t bear losing one of them.”
“I know,” Gunther said tenderly. “But I assure you they will not be harmed. If I have to stay with them every second of every day, I will.” He turned around and addressed the group again. “Everyone who’s in, raise your hand.”
Everyone raised their hand, except Cora. She looked around at the group with her mouth agape. We waited for her vote.
“Fine,” she growled, raising her hand. “I will hold you accountable, Gunther,” she snipped as she jabbed her finger into his chest.
“I’m fine with that. Quinn, lock up the food and water. Josie, lock up the weapons. Thomas, lock up the clinic. Henry, go back and lie down. I’ll give you a couple minutes to get situated before I bring them into the cafeteria.” Gunther rubbed the back of his neck.
Quinn raised her brows. As Gunther walked past her, she grabbed his arm. “You doing all right?”
Their eyes met, and judging from the look on her face, they were fading. “Yes. Later, though…” She threw Gunther a concerned glare. “I’m fine, love.” He smiled at her and walked away.
“Okay,” she breathed out, then stormed off.
Pushing myself off the wall, I stumbled and weaved back into my room, hoping for a few more minutes of rest before I actually had to entertain new people’s critical glares.
Heading out the side door again, and in his most casual swagger, Gunther strolled over to the group. “All right. Listen up,” he said in an authoritative tone. “You are welcome into our home. I would like to lay out a few ground rules.” They all nodded. “You are not to carry a weapon without my permission, which includes knives. You will not have free access to food because it is being rationed. Also, we have three young children inside.” Then he growled, “I expect everyone to stay away from them, or I will show you no mercy. Have…I…made…myself…clear?”
“How long can we stay?” Mara asked.
“We will discuss that at another time. Any more questions?” The group looked at one another, leaving Ben to acknowledge Gunther with a nod. “All right then. Follow me.”
Gunther led them, Elaina stayed alongside, and Nick brought up the rear. He opened the door and walked at a quick clip down the hall.
Acting as a tour guide, Gunther said, “On your right…the clinic. We have limited resources. It’s locked. And up this way…the cafeteria. This is our common place. As I said, the food and drinks are locked up.” Gunther directed the group through the door. “Stand against the wall while we have proper introductions.”
“This is it?” Eli asked, looking at part of the crew that was assembled. “You acted like you had an army in here.” Gunther smiled. “You asshole,” he grumbled, crossing his arms.
“Eli, you are going to get us all killed! Or, at the very least, thrown out!” Lauren yelled.
Ignoring Eli and Lauren, Gunther put his arm around Quinn’s shoulders. “This is Quinn, Josie, and Thomas. You’ve met Nick and Elaina. Cora is with her kids, and Henry’s recovering.”
“From what?” Ben asked.
“If you must know, he’s detoxing.”
Balling her fists at her sides, Elaina was pissed at Gunther for exposing one of Henry’s issues to absolute strangers. She cleared her throat. “That’s a little too personal, Gunther.”
All eyes were on her for a moment until Mara spoke again, “What are the relationships?”
“Quinn is my love, and Josie is like our daughter. Cora and her kids are our friends. Nick is Elaina’s brother. Henry is Elaina’s fiancé. And Thomas…” He looked back at him.
“He’s like my baby brother,” Elaina offered. Thomas smiled at her.
“How about your crew?” Gunther asked.
“Well, Lauren’s my sister, and Ben and Jane are our parents.” Then Mara sighed, adding a rolling of her eyes. “And Eli… He knocked up my sister and is an asshole, which we’ve already covered.”
“Okay, well, that was awkward,” Elaina mumbled. “I’m going to go check on Henry.” She spun around and stormed out of the cafeteria.
The anxiety level over her ill-fated relationship was reaching the limits. At that point, Henry knew she felt they were in a downward spiral.
Staring at the door, she needed to collect herself first, so Elaina paced around the hall, working through what she would say. Quinn was right. She had to help him.
Gunther eyed Eli. “How old are you?” he asked.
“What’s it to you?”
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
In one swift move, Gunther stepped forward and grabbed Eli by the throat, slamming him against the wall, coming to within an inch from his face. “You listen to me, you little fucking prat,” his voice rumbled. Eli whimpered which, in turn, made Mara laugh. “I will tear you limb from limb and eat you for breakfast. You’re in my house and you will respond to anything I ask; otherwise, you can have a nice fucking life on the outside. Clear?” Eli stammered, but no words escaped his terrified body. Gunther slammed him against the wall again. “Do not make me repeat myself!”
“Yes,” Eli choked out. Gunther let him go, then stepped back. Eli bent over, wheezing and trying to catch his breath. Lauren grabbed his arm and tried to calm him.
“Now, I do believe I asked you a question.”
“Eighteen…,” Eli gasped. “I’m eighteen.”
“Thank you kindly for responding,” he said with a smile.
“I like this guy,” Mara said, giving Gunther a thumbs up and giggling.
“I’m going to get with Henry and find out where he wants everyone to sleep.” Gunther nodded at Nick and Thomas, silently telling them they were to keep the new group in their sights. He cupped Quinn’s face and kissed her on the cheek before he jogged off.
Chapter 8
The door swung open again. I didn’t even have the energy to acknowledge whoever it was. Soft footsteps came toward me—my love. It had to be.
“Hey.” She ran her fingers through my hair. I groaned. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a bloody train,” I mumbled into my pillow. She grabbed my shoulder and started tugging, so I rolled over for her. I would have told anyone else to go fuck themselves.
“Let me see your eyes. Those same beautiful emeralds that grabbed me from the moment I met you, and the same emeralds that always reassured me.”
My eyelids were slammed shut, trying to avoid everything from light to critical stares. I wasn’t going to open them. “I don’t know if I’m that man anymore, Elaina. There’s nothing beautiful about hollow, lifeless eyes. And nothing reassuring from a man like me. I’m nothing but a fragile shell. One hard touch and I’ll crumble.”
“Please, Henry. I need to see them,” she begged softly. The silence grew heavy within my chest, crushing my heart, pushing out all my air. Elaina wiped the sweat off of my brow. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“This is not your fault. None of it. This is all on me. No apologies are needed from you.”
“I can still feel sorry, though. Look at me. Please.”
“I have a horrible headache. I can’t open them.”
In all reality, I did have a headache. But as the saying goes, “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. I didn’t want her to see there was nothing left of me.
I groaned as she continued to play with my hair. “Am I bothering you?”
“No. You could never bother me.”
“I need to be honest with you.”
“Of course, love.”
She inhaled deep, then exhaled slow and steady, trying to put together the sentences. “I’m struggling with us, Henry.”
“I know. You’ve made that perfectly clear.” I reached up and she gave me her hand.
“This has worn me thin.” Elaina’s voice broke. Jesus Christ, I made her cry again. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore. It’s been going on far too long.”
<
br /> For a moment, I wondered if those were her last words to me as a couple. It was understandable if she wanted to walk away. As she already knew, I would fight and wouldn’t go away quietly. I could say one thing, though. I could never love another like I did her. She gave me her entire self and what did I give her?
Nothing but pain, lies, sorrow, and disease.
The tears came on fast and hard from both of us. “I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. But it was never my intention to hurt you. And I will fight to the very end to keep you. I love you so much. I want to right this and fix us.” She wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. “Don’t give up on us. I know I’ve fucked this…us…up so badly. I’m so sorry.” My voice broke, drawing out more sorrow. The sobs could no longer be contained. “Love…come here.” I needed her close to me, as much as she needed the same from me. While pulling her into my arms, Elaina’s entire body was rendered useless from her cries. “Please, love. Please. Bear with me,” I murmured in her ear.
Elaina rested her head on my chest and I wrapped my arms around her body, holding onto her. At one time, she felt secure in my arms. Not anymore. I had failed her miserably, but I wanted to bring that back to her again. I needed it for myself.
“I’m so sorry I’m doing this to you,” I said as we cried together, unsure if we would be able to repair our situation.
“I shouldn’t have said any of this to you right now. It may set back your recovery.” She pushed away from me, crushing me further.
I was losing her.
There was knock on the door. I swear, the next person to knock was going to get their hands cut off. Elaina got up, wiping her face and nose on her forearm. She was pretty much an etiquette nightmare, but that’s one of the many reasons I loved her. She was less than perfect, like me, which made her perfect for me.
Shaking every step of the way, she opened the door. Gunther. I was livid, but tried to hide it. I had a suspicion he was trying to win her and take her away from me.
He cocked his head to the side and had a look of concern on his face. Back off, motherfucker. “Is everything all right?”
Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) Page 8