Chapter 47

*Iris*

The darkness in his eyes when I asked him about his name told me more than his words did. “Its my last name.” He was short and stern with his response, but his eyes told me the most. Lorcane was like his shadow person, the darkness inside of him. The person they all see as dangerous. The one who was violent and cold. Lorcane was someone I have only seen pieces of. He is a prosecutor, but I am starting to think at this point he also played executioner. What I wasn’t sure of was if he still played that role. A lot of what I knew about him, the powerful, well managed, prosecutor turned professor was not who I thought he was. Not as disciplined. Not as in control. “I am not an idiot Ryker.” I said winching as I tried to sit up straight. “I know you aren’t Iris, but I also know I don’t know everything about your past.” His words burned some. His emotional state when he walked in had now turned. He was now defensive and guarded. I am sure he has questions about me, I know he is wondering how a young girl from Ohio survives such a trauma without being a mental mess. I know he is wondering how I have gotten through this week with my faculties intact. I have faced more in my life than I have told him sure, I have been in situations he doesn’t understand, but I am not an executioner. No one fears me. If they did, I wouldn’t have been the one to run.

I closed my eyes when he got up from the bed. “We have much to discuss Iris. I am aware you need to be told everything. Trying to protect you obviously was not the right thing to do.” His words pissed me off again. Trying to protect me. I am in a hospital bed, and he left me. He left to keep me safe. He left and within hours Theo walked into my hospital room. Luckily, he is a police officer, but what if he wasn’t. What if he was part of this group that have a death wise for Ryker. They want to hurt him. Ivy was going to kill me whether he did what she wanted or not. He left me knowing I wasn’t safe. “Tell Deacon I said thank you for coming to check on me.” He tilted his head slightly at me. “I can do that.” He leaned towards me and kissed my forehead. “I am going to walk to the hall, and Ill be right back. I am not leaving you again.” I smiled up at him weakly. I started to feel very tired again. I wanted to sleep. The energy it took to try to have a conversation right now was insane.

*Ryker*

By the time I made it to the door I looked back, and she was asleep. Comforted by the fact I was there, or that was what I was telling myself. She was so angry, so hurt by my decision to leave. I didn’t blame her. I knew I was wrong. Her question struck me. Asking about Lorcane. Asking about the darkness inside I never wanted her to know. I was stupid to believe I could bury that part of myself. It is who I am, always, and I know that now. I walked into the hallway to see Theo was still there. Deacon was sitting awkwardly beside him on a hospital bench. If I wasn’t already so sick of this guy’s face I would have laughed. These two tough guys sitting on this tiny bench together. Both looked like they were waiting in the hall for the principal to call their name. I chose Theo first. “You can go now bro; I got her covered.” I said looking at him for seconds before focusing on Deacon. “I’m not leaving Lorcane. I will see her through till she gets back to her school. That’s where she belongs. Look what you did to her, putting her in that situation, you had to know that was stupid” the more he spoke the more my body blazed. I walked closer to them, and Deacon stood up quickly seeing my temper coming to the front. “You need to go.” I said this time darkly. “That isn’t up to you Lorcane. I will leave when that beautiful little senorita asks me to” He licked his lips and smiled at me sarcastically. Does he think because he is a police officer I won’t knock his teeth down his throat. If he does, he is wrong. I walked closer to him. “Fucking leave!” I said, hearing myself growl furiously now. “Ryk.” Deacon said, trying to tell me to proceed with caution. “No.” he said walking closer to me now.

Deacon stepped in front of me. “Theo, listen, you can stay until she wakes up and then we will ask her what she wants.” His words sounded like another language to me. I didn’t want this little punk waiting for her to wake up. She is mine. She doesn’t need him here. I needed to breathe. “I am going to get some air.” I walked off, confused as to why Deacon would defend this man. I know he was helpful, and I know he helped us save her. That isn’t why he is here. I know he wants her. I knew it when Ivy still had her, and I know it now. I can see it in his eyes. He thinks he can take her from me. He thinks he can come in and play the hero. He thinks that will work on her. She is smarter than that.

*IRIS*

I heard the shot. BANG. The light was bright when I woke. The pain is searing inside of me. I looked up to see the doctor staring at me. “You have a few fellas waiting for you out there.” I smiled, knowing Deacon and Ryker were still there. I didn’t know where this was going to go, but I knew I felt safer with them around. “Tell the both of them I am awake please?” I asked him before he walked out of the room. He laughed, “Which one?” he asked, now I was confused. “Ryker?” He nodded, “Deacon?” He nodded again. “Someone else?” I asked and he nodded. “The cop” Oh, Theo, I forgot about him. “Just let the whole crew know I am awake, thanks Doc!” This time he just left the room. I could hear the mumbling in the waiting area outside. “She wants all of you in there.” he said as he walked off to talk to a nurse. Ryker walked in first with Theo competing with Deacon for second. “Theo wanted to make sure you were okay; he can go now.” Ryker said as soon as he got beside me. He was jealous. I could see it in his face, and it fascinated me. Theo walked to the bed and smiled. “I was told to leave beautiful, but I would like to stay with you for a while.” I nodded yes, allowing him to stay. I knew Ryker would be mad, but Theo saved me too. I felt a kind of spark when he was close to me as well. He was safe, right? A hero? Ryker looked at me like he had a bad taste in his mouth but knew he couldnt say anything. Not after he left me here alone. Not since Theo kept me alive. Nothing he could say to make Theo leave other than admitting his jealousy. He wasnt going to do that. Deacon shook his head as well but didnt say anything. I am sure big brother will have quite the opinion. No one should try to tell me what to do at all right now. I wouldnt listen anyway, not with all I have went through the past week. We sat there for a while awkwardly staring at a tv none of us were really watching when I heard Ryker’s phone ring. Theo looked up, intrigued. Deacon didn’t, he looked exhausted.

When he picked up his phone, I saw the darkness cross his face. “Who is that?” I asked concerned about the caller. He wasn’t responding to me. I grabbed his hand and his eyes shot to mine, “Where the fuck are you at Claud?”