Page 79 of Hiding In the Dark (The Righteous 4)
“How is she doing?” Ashley asked as she walked into the hospital room.
“No change.”
He winced as he shifted himself into a more upright position and smiled as his eyes fell on the angel in the doorway. She’d gone home to shower and take her meds, which he’d had to order her to do. Fuck, she was beautiful. Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders in soft waves, and although the loose-fitting sweater that fell off one shoulder was meant to be warm and comfortable, it made her look like walking sex to him.
Kes held out his hand, and she came around to his side of the bed. He guided her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. She sank into him and the chair, molding to his body perfectly.
“Did you mean it when you said you wanted some?” Ashley’s voice was soft and timid as she asked the question.
“You mean, to have children?”
She snuggled deeper into his hold. “Yeah.”
“I’m not exactly dad-of-the-year material, but yes, I meant every word.”
She lifted her head, and as her eyes met his, he knew he’d agree to as many as she wanted. “You’re a better man than you think you are, and I think you’d be an amazing father.”
“I don’t know about that.” His eyes flicked to Zumi. “I failed her. I promised to keep her safe.”
“Kes?” Zumi’s lips moved and then she smacked her lips like her tongue was heavy. That one word seizing his heart. Ashley stood, and he immediately pulled his chair closer to grab Zumi’s hand.
“Hey, Kid. Yeah, I’m here.”
A wisp of a smile graced her features as she turned her head to look at him. “I knew you’d come,” she whispered, her voice harsh from the damage to her vocal cords. If he could, he’d bring the men back to life just to hear them scream again for what they did to her. “I knew you’d save us.”
His face fell, and he looked away from her eyes. “I…um….”
“What is it?”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Zumi. I didn’t get there in time to save your mom. She had already passed when I arrived.”
She rolled her head to look up at the ceiling. “Oh.”
“I’m sorry, I—.”
“It’s okay, she was a shitty mom,” Zumi said, her words a stark contrast to the tears leaking down her cheeks. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Listen, you don’t need to worry about that. I’ve got you, Kid. You will come home with me to my boat, and we can figure out our next move.”
Zumi nodded but closed her eyes. “Can I be alone?” she asked, and her voice was so firm. He knew she had to be breaking inside, which killed him.
“Sure, Kid. I’ll be out in the hall. Just yell or push a button or something if you need me.”
He stood and walked out with Ashley by his side. They closed the door softly, but before it clicked shut, he could hear the first heart-wrenching cry as she let her emotions out.
“Kes, we need to talk,” Ashley said and pointed to the door.
Oh, shit. This can’t be good.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as they stepped out into the hall. Ashley didn’t speak and kept walking until he followed her out of the hospital into the warm sun.
“You mind telling me what you meant by your ‘boat’?” She crossed her arms over her chest, and he swallowed hard.
“Well, it’s my father’s boat, but I use it whenever I want. He never uses it, so it’s just kind of sitting there.”
She turned her head like she was inspecting him, and the look made him want to run. “Are you really homeless, Kes? Be honest with me. Do you choose to live on the streets because you have to, or because you decided one day that you wanted to?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, unsure of what answer she wanted to hear. “I felt more comfortable with the people on the streets.”
