18. Holy

CHAPTER 18

Holy

J ohnny's family has been in the business for about as long as mine, so when he offered up a space to keep Dr. Graves and whoever else we captured, I had no idea what I was in for.

The basement of a warehouse with soundproof walls and blood staining every surface possible wasn't what I had in mind. "You guys always had this place?" I look to the man as he leans against a concrete wall.

"Gramps had it built during the depression. He used to be a bootlegger, I think." At his casual shrug, Malice chuckles from the corner.

"Murder and booze, sounds like a good combination." I don't disagree with my brother.

Graves is chained to the floor with two of her soldiers, looking a little sick in the eyes. "You ready to talk yet?" I ask her. I know Johnny and Malice have been checking in on the trio, but they haven't given a shit about the conditions they're in.

"Talk about what?" Her chin lifts in challenge. "We weren't doing anything wrong."

"She keeps saying that," Malice growls. "Odette is distraught over Della being taken and forced into some sketchy shit." And if there's one thing you don't fuck with is my sister-in-law, as far as he's concerned. "It's not good for the baby, Holy."

"Yeah, I know." I'll be just as angry if something happens to either of them. "Forcing a gifted woman into healing until she nearly dies isn't wrong?" The woman scoffs at this.

"She's an abomination and should have been willing to help figure out how she got that way. Instead, she's greedy and hides her ability." How Graves fails to see Della's reasoning is beyond me.

"So, you meant to kill her?" I'd really like the woman to hang herself for me. My gaze slides to the guards, who have remained silent thus far. "What about you two? You good with torturing women, children?" I still think of the girl Cowboy had clinging to him for a couple of days before she was forced to leave the hospital with social services.

One shrugs, uncaring, so I don't waste another moment on him except to unload some lead into his skull. He drops before he knows what's happened. The other guy stares at me in shock until I take aim at him.

"This bitch is fucking nuts. All she talked about was finding these gifted people and experimenting on them until she figured out their genetics and why they're so special," he sputters.

"So, you were only doing her bidding?" He nods enthusiastically and further enrages me. Lowering my hand slightly, I see him relax before I retake aim and hit him in the shoulder, then the leg. "You can feel what Della did, now. But no help is coming for you."

He groans while putting pressure on the wounds. It won't help; he'll slowly bleed out and die. Precisely what I want. Graves shows no emotions, and I decide she's not worth the time to interrogate.

"How long can they stay?" I ask Johnny.

"Long as you need."

Shooting the woman in the same spots as the guard, I tell Johnny, "If they're still alive in forty-eight hours, call McCall. If they're dead, do whatever you want to their bodies." Malice sneers at the two as we all walk out.

"I'm taking Della home in the morning, Malice. If Odette wants to come by the day after, I'm certain it would be a welcome visit." My brother nods before taking off back home.

"This was fun, Sinclair. We need to work together more often. You boys sure are inventive in how you like to retrieve information." After shaking hands, Johnny and I part ways, and I head to the hospital, knowing Della needs me more than a couple of psycho fucking killers looking for an excuse to torture people.

With all their victims now on the road to recovery, I get the feeling that McCall is wondering if there are other groups out there like this. He had mentioned sending his Alpha Squad on a hunt for more predators, and while I hope his search is futile, I doubt that will be the case.

Arriving at the hospital a little while later, I give Carter a call.

"She okay, Holy?" He's been stressed beyond comprehension and has beefed up security at his house for when she comes home. Overseeing everything is the only way he's felt in control since he sat by Della's bedside for three days after we rescued her.

"I'm heading up to see her now, but I'm betting a visit from dear old Dad with some food will perk her right up." After hanging up, I head inside to my woman.

* * *

Della has been given a clean bill of health by no less than three doctors, and still, I'm uncertain she should be coming home. Nonetheless, I don't get much choice because she has this look. Think puppy dog eyes because she can pout like a pro.

"Do not open that door," I warn her as I park in front of Carter's house, where he's waiting at the steps with their housekeeper and three security guards, armed to the teeth.

"I'll wait." She smiles at me, leaning her head back against the seat.

Narrowing my eyes, I keep them on her as I get out and round the car. "She giving you hell already?" Carter grins from where he's standing.

"I have a feeling it's only beginning." And I won't complain about any of it because it means she's alive and with me.

From the minute I met Della, I'm not even sure how many years ago now, I realized she was special. I knew that one day, she would do amazing things in this world, and the more I got to know her, the more I realized I wanted to be by her side when that happened.

As I open her door, she moves to step out, but I sweep her up in my arms instead. Her carefree laugh is one I've been yearning to hear for a long time. "I can walk." She smiles up at me as she lays her head on my shoulder, making no move to get down.

"I know you can, but I can also carry you. And having my hands on your body is all I want right now." Her sigh lets me know she's happy.

I only give her a minute to greet everyone because I feel exhaustion pulling at her again. She might be fine physically, but mentally, I don't know that she's recovered yet. The things they forced her to do while being held captive are more than any one person could handle, let alone someone as kind and caring as Della.

She was able to heal nearly a dozen people that Graves had her men shoot. Three died before she got the chance, and six were killed even after her efforts. I know she's holding onto the loss of those lives like she was the one who pulled the trigger.

As much as I've tried convincing her that she's not responsible, I understand how personal guilt can eat you alive.

Placing her in bed, I slip her shoes off before grabbing a pair of shorts and a shirt from her dresser. In the hospital, she had mentioned how much she would love a real shower at home, and I aim to give that to her.

"I can shower on my own, too, Holy." There is amusement in her tone, and I growl at her stubbornness.

"How about you just let me take care of you and enjoy the doting. We won't always have this opportunity." I catch her eye roll and make a mental note to give her a spanking for it later.

"Alright, fine." She lifts her arms when I pull up the hem of her shirt.

Once she's stripped bare, I do the same and guide her into the bathroom, where I start the shower. Once the temperature is just right, I lead her in and rinse her hair before ducking my head under the warm spray.

Grabbing the shampoo, I lather it up before brushing my fingers through her hair. Della's eyes close as she sways forward and rests against me so I can massage her scalp. The little moans she makes have my dick twitching and growing with the need to be inside her. Somewhere I'd like to be on a semi-permanent basis.

"Feels so good." Her lips brush my chest. "I've never had anyone wash my hair before."

Bending down, I whisper in her ear, "Get used to it because I'll be doing it as often as I can in the future." Her arms wrap around my waist and squeeze, and I sense all the things she's having trouble saying, and I know she can feel what I am, too.

Her gifts never once gave me pause after discovering them. Not once did I think it would be too much to handle because I know Della's heart. She's pure and sweet, and she cares about more than those in her close-knit world. It's why I'll die to protect her from anything and anyone who could ever possibly be a threat to her safety and well-being.

Rinsing the soap from her hair, I cup her cheeks and gently lift her face so she has to look at me. "You know how much I love you, Del?"

Tears erupt like a volcano as she nods. "I know, Holy. I've always known."