The Throw Away Girl

**Artemis**

Razz left. He couldn’t get away from me fast enough. I don’t even know what happened. By throwing my hand away, it felt like he was throwing me and my sons away. I want to fall onto the cold tile floor and cry, mourning the loss of my lover.

I cannot do that, because my other lovers are depending on me. I have two who are fighting for their lives, and one who is feeling guilty for the role he had in them ending up here. Even though Camden blames himself for not thinking to take over more responsibilities for aiding Slater, the heart-attack is hardly his fault.

“Hey Artie, I was just about to check in on Slater. Are you okay?” I blink, noticing I’m still holding the stairwell door open.

I shut it, then turn to face my friend, who is currently Slater’s private nurse. I shake my head at her. “I’m uncertain what happened. My boyfriend just left with no explanation. I think I’m feeling a little abandoned.”

Rory’s features are soft as she looks at me. “Maybe he has something personal he needs to work through. It might not be because of the reasons you are thinking.”

I sigh heavily as we walk to Slater’s private room. There are only three oversized, suit-like rooms on this floor. “I knew better than to let them in. Now my sons and going to be asking where Razz is, and I’m unsure how best to answer them. What if he doesn’t come back?”

We stop. Rory turns me by my upper arms to look her in the eyes. My blue eyes meet her hazel ones. She then pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tight against her voluptuous curves. “Oh, sweety,” she whispers gloomily. After some time, she steps away. “It will be okay. You don’t always need to think the worst. I know life has been hard for you. Don’t let your abandonment issues impede you from being happy. You are a capable woman. The toughest woman I know.”

I smile at her. This is why I love Rory. She looks on the positive side. She believes, as sentient beings, we should spend more time building each other up, than tearing each other down. I thank her for the pep talk. I will still break down later, but currently, I’m as stable as I can be.

I was… until I saw Slater hooked up to so many machines. I rush to him but stop, not wanting to cause one of them to stop working accidentally.

“He is breathing on his own, which is a good thing. I know the machines look daunting,” Rory says, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Why don’t I help you snuggle up next to him? Trust me, you will feel better once you do.” I nod to her. With her help, I shouldn’t mess anything up.

“I thought you were no longer working here?” I question her as she carefully moves cords and tubbing. I climb into the bed to snuggle up against a sleeping Slater. I sign contently once I’m comfortable, press against his powerful body.

“I did, but Doctor Fuchs-Jamison called me in to help with Slater. I was here, anyway. I figured, since I’m here, I could help,” she says with a shrug, as if it isn’t a big deal. But I know the contrary. She is worried that her boyfriend Kage might not make it. This is the second time he has been admitted in under a year.

“How is Kage doing?” I query.

“Fighting.” She gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. My friend is exhausted.

“Diosa,” Slater murmurs. I cannot tell if he is awake or not, but his arm tightens around me when I lay my head on his peck, not covered in wires to monitor his heart.

“Where’s Cam?” I look up to see his eyes are open.

“With Ronin. They’ll be wheeled up shortly after Doc Fox stitches him up, right as rain,” Preston replies, sauntering into the room.

“I hear congratulations are in order, Preston,” Rory says, giving him a brief side hug. “You are the new DK leader, and you found people to put up with you,” she teases.

“I love you too, R,” Preston mocks, playfully pushing her away. She has a giant grin on her face.

“Push my woman again, Pres,” a deep voice warns. “I’ll sick Ajax on you.”

Rory wraps her arms around the handsome man with black hair falling in his face, and violet eyes that a similar to Razz's. Rory nuzzles his neck, breathing him in. “Be nice Griff. Preston and I were playing around. I’ve known him since he was a child.” This is another of Rory’s boyfriends named Griffen.

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” Preston taunts Griffen. He sits on a reclining chair, after pulling it closer to the bed. “Ajax doesn’t scare me like he does everyone else. Besides, I have a Camden and a Ransom. I lived with Ransom most of my life.”

Griffen smirks at him. “This is why you get called the psychopath tamer.” He walks closer, offering a hand to Slater.

Slater shakes his hand. “Good to see you again.” “Likewise. I hear you need a new heart,” Griffen replies.

“I’ve been on the list for ten years now,” Slater shakes his head.

“Yes, but now you won’t live past a month without a new one,” Rory informs him. Slater says nothing, but sighs in defeat.

“You’re a Death King. We will get you a heart, even if we have to make a donor,” Preston says with a wink, as if it’s a joke. I have a feeling he isn’t joking. I know Camden and Slater have killed people. I know the Death Kings aren’t just a security company, they’re a mercenary guild.

“I sent Ajax and Booker hunting.” I’m positive Griffen doesn’t mean hunting, as in sitting in a deer blind, waiting for their prey to come along.

“See. We got you. The family takes care of its members,” Preston assures Slater, who is relieved.

Slater sets the bed up using the button on the handrail. He kisses the top of my head. “Where’s the boys?”

“With Patricia. Riley and Josh are going to pick them up after Riley’s shift.” I explain. “Muy bien.” (Good), is all he says.

“What’s your pain level?” Rory questions. He answers it is at a three. “Do you need anything?” she asks, writing it down on the chart she has. “No. If I do, I’ll have Preston help me. Gracias, Rory.” She nods to him.

“We’ll be next door with Kage. Hollar, if you need anything at all.” With those words, Griffen follows Rory out after she discards her latex gloves.

Slater glares at Preston. “Explain to me what happened while I’ve been here. Why will my Plateado be joining me in a hospital bed?”

“Camden stabbed him… in the lung,” Preston explains. “WHAT!!!” Slater roars. The machines sounded, since his heart rate elevated dramatically. I cover my ears while Preston moves to silence them. “You know how Cam is. He saw nothing wrong with stabbing him for telling him bad news,” Preston reminds him. “Aye que lástame,” Slater groans in frustration, wiping his hand down his face.

Slater then looks around. “Where’s Razz? Is he with Camden?”

“Yeah. Where is he? I sent him up here with Artemis,” Preston comments, looking around bewildered.

My gut clenches. “He threw us away,” I whisper in a strangled voice, heavy with emotion. Tears fall from my face. Razz’s actions break my heart.

Slater squeezes me closer to him. He lifts my head by my chin. “Look at me,” he commands. “I don’t believe for one minute that Razz threw us away. Diosa, how many times do I have to tell you? Créeme cuando diga, you are not a throwaway.”

I cry harder, burying my face in Slater’s hospital gown. Slater says that just to make me feel better. But I know the truth. I will be easily discarded as he grows closer to Ronin. Ronin gives Slater exactly what he needs. I’m replaceable. A throwaway girl, that’s what I am.