Written in the Scars (The Damaged Souls #1)

Orion

I swear I heard a woman laughing, who the fuck is laughing in a place like this? Picking up my speed, I keep turning corners and checking rooms.

I hear a door open close by, followed by more laughter.

It's louder now, I’m so goddamn confused.

Muffled voices carry through the corridors, as I continue closer to the source.

The voices become clearer, my heart pounding as I hear her sweet symphonic voice, horse and filled with rage but still so sweet, I begin to run, my pistol ready and ahead of me.

Stopping just before the last door, light seeping from inside, an almighty grunt followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor I throw myself into the doorway when my body collides with something and comes to an abrupt halt.

Looking down, my eyes meet her beautiful glistening jades, framed with red lids, and a bluish bruise to one of them.

My heart warms at the sight of her, but my blood boils to see her in this state.

Her bound hands reach up, I lower my head, bringing my face closer to her.

She snatches the pistol from my hands, turning on her heel and the room echoes with the ringing sound of it going off, as it fires towards the body on the floor.

The pistol silently falls to the concrete floor, the gun shot still ringing between us.

She stands still, bringing her hands to her mouth, as she uses her teeth to pull away the rope around her hands.

Peering over her shoulder I see him.

Nathan, naked, the bullet hole just above his right eye seeping a steady stream of blood.

I move to go towards him, when she grabs my arm, pulling me back to her.

Swiftly removing my jacket, I help her put it on, trying to hide the shock on my face as I look over her body.

She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls herself up to me, her thighs wrapping around my waist.

I feel the hitch in her breath, as she relaxes and lets it all go.

Looking over her shoulder, I try to hold back, reaching for the gun and filling the lifeless body with more bullets.

I would’ve liked to keep him alive myself, rip him limb from limb, attach those bars of his to an arrow and watch him scream in pain, shredding his dick apart.

“I missed you Ace, let's go home?”

I hum gently into her ear.

Tears begin to fall as she grips tighter to me.

“No, not yet.

This time, I need to wait for the police.”

She sounds calm, her voice wobbly from crying.

“Ok, but at least let me get you out of here.”

Making my way back through the halls, I pull my phone out and shoot Frank an SOS message.

“You did good Ace, so fucking good.”, I hold her into my arms, stroking her hair and trying to console her as we await the aftermath.

Reagan

My head spins with the whirlwind of the past few days.

has had the best medical team examine my injuries, ensuring I get the best care.

I’m finally being discharged from the hospital today, but I expect he will still have me on bed rest.

The police keep coming and going, asking questions they’ve already asked or about things I have no idea on.

I don’t know what they expect of me, I only saw Nathan.

While I may have heard voices, I got no names or insight to what was going on.

My body may be at the end of its recovery, if you ignore the bruises and piercings left behind, but my mind? That's still fighting the memories of the first time I was taken and tortured.

still hasn’t questioned me on what happened either time, he left me alone with Selene when I spoke to the police, but I think it was more, so he didn’t go on a rage filled rampage then my privacy.

I know I will have to tell him everything sooner or later.

helps dress me, my shoulders are probably going to take some time before I can move them like before.

Selene appears with coffees and my discharge papers, and I can’t hide the beaming smile on my face, yet they force saddened smiles as they watch happy tears roll down my cracked and bruised face.

I agreed to stay with for the time being, he’s convinced this is me moving in for good, but I only caved because of the ongoing investigation into the rest of the underground drug circle that Nathan was running.

He ensured his place was secure and he had already prepared things for me being there.

The three of us walk through the door to his apartment, after a very lengthy argument about me using a wheelchair.

My eyes meet the floor to ceiling windows, I’m drawn straight to them, my feet stopping where they meet the floor and I watch the street below.

The lights and people passing by have me hypnotized, I don’t pay much attention to and Selene as they shuffle around behind me.

Stepping back, I admire the skyline of tall buildings, trying to find the pattern in the illuminated windows.

I could happily admire this view forever.

My body begins to feel exhausted, it's the most I’ve done in days.

I take a seat on the sofa and slouch into the soft and inviting pillows.

brings me a blanket, as he walks down the spiral staircase on the left side of the room.

I want to continue exploring, but my body won’t let me right now.

He covers me with the soft fabric and sits down beside me, tucking a corner under my knee so carefully I barely feel it.

He doesn’t touch me unless I ask, he is giving me both physical and mental space, but I can see the pain in his eyes of just how difficult this is for him.

I want to hold him, to touch him, to tell him everything will be ok.

I just can’t pull myself to do so right now.

“Thank you!”

I give him a small smile.

“Did Selene leave already?”

His body is like a magnet, I hesitate but cave into the pull, shuffling as I slowly rest my head on his shoulder.

It feels natural and in no way intrusive.

“Yes, she felt like you needed to adjust and get some rest.”

He softens his posture, making his muscles a little softer beneath me. “Oh, ok.”

I will admit I’m a little disappointed, but I try to hide it.

“I love your place, the windows really do show just how beautiful the city is.”

he lets out a small chuckle trying not to let his body shake as he does “Our place, Ace.

Reagan

It’s been a week since I left the hospital, I’m definitely feeling more my old self again and I’ve become comfortable at ’s place and could actually imagine myself living here.

I don’t think I’m ready for that, though.

We have got into a good routine, we eat meals together, he helps me regain strength in his home gym and we sit in silence while he goes over business emails and I read.

The police visits have become far and few between, but Frank has been keeping track of the investigation himself, doing one of his own, tipping the police off when needed.

A result of me refusing to let ”take it into his own hands”.

I need him safe, to keep me safe.

So much for an independent woman, huh?

I feel like I’m coming down with cabin fever, staring at the same wall’s day in and day out. “Hey!”

I shuffle, throwing my legs over ’s “How about we go out for food tonight? Stretch our legs, get some much-needed fresh air.”

I play the sweet princess part hoping to get my own way.

He closes his laptop and pops it aside.

“Name the restaurant Ace, I’ll have them deliver”, he strokes my lower legs, playing it safe and gives me a half assed smile.

My smile immediately drops “No, you can’t keep me coopt up in her forever, I’m not Rapunzel.

Let’s go out.”

I fold my arms across my chest like a spoiled brat.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.”, throwing my feet to the floor and stomping off.

Making my way to our bedroom, I walk in the closet and pull out the dress, the exact replica to the dress he never got to see me in.

I lock myself in the bathroom and begin getting ready.

I hear him shuffling around behind the door, but I don’t let on.

He probably thinks I’m having a tantrum, it's not like it wouldn’t be my first, I’ve been going crazy.

Twenty minutes later, I’m ready.

I can’t hear him in the bedroom, so I open the door slowly, peeking around to find it empty.

I slip on my shoes and make my way back down the stairs, it’s eerily quiet and I notice the lights are lower than when I stormed off.

The sound of the taps in the kitchen tell me exactly where he is, sneaking in behind him, I prop myself against the kitchen side waiting for him to notice me.

He must have caved as he has changed his clothes, black jeans and black button-down shirt.

He looks like the devil hand crafted him especially for me, his dark ink tattoos seeping from various parts of his shirt is a glorious contrast against his naturally tanned skin.

“Are you just going to stand there and stare at my arse or are you going to say something?”

His tone is dark and sarcastic.

“I was pretty happy admiring the view”, a playful tone to my voice, he turns so smoothly towards me, stopping a foot away from me but I can still feel the heat from his skin, leaning in he leaves a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Come on then, Ace, let's grab your coat.”