To the rescue

“Fuck! Answer me, Daemon. Damn it!”

Devon has been hearing Henry cursing since the time that it is apparent that no one is answering him on the other line. It’s been exactly seven hours since the attack happened and they heard no news from Daemon’s camp.

She is beginning to get anxious. If not for the medicine that Henry gave her, she would not be able to get some sleep.

“Still can’t reach him?”

Henry turned to her and shook his head. Worry is written all over his face that mirrored her current state of mind right now.

“I can’t reach everyone in the group. It’s like they’re all gone. Daemon, if he is alive, should have been here two hours earlier. That man’s very particular with time so him not showing now is a really bad sign for us.”

Devon gulped the acid in her throat and sat on the sofa in a small studio-type apartment in the southern part of the district. It’s been really a struggle to keep the bad thoughts away when all the things pointed to the possible worst case scenario that could have happened to Daemon.

“No, Daemon is alive. You told me that he’s the devil or what. He will survive this.”

Her voice started to break again. She’s trying to convince herself even though all she wanted to do now is cry her heart out.

Henry averted his eyes and went back into checking his phone.

“I really need to go back.” He looked back to her again and closed his eyes in frustration. “Fuck it,” he muttered when he somehow remembered that Daemon entrusted her to him.

“But Henry, what if… what if he’s really dead? What if we can’t see him anymore? What if?”

“Stop with your what ifs, Devon!” His voice is raised a little to emphasize a point. He brushed his hair aside and sat beside her. “Look, I am not frustrated because there could be a possibility that he could be dead cause I know that that is a very slim chance. I am more than worried with our group, our family. I’m worried about the dead ones, the injured, our reputation as a group. Yeah, I am hypocrite to care about murderers who will do anything for Daemon but you can’t blame me when they are the only family I could call my own.”

He sighed and patted her head. “Relax. Pray harder so that you won’t marry me.”

He went back again to his spot beside the window and dialed a series of number again but no one is really answering.

Another hour has passed and her distress is growing by a mile in every tick of the clock. Finally, a ringing tone alerted Henry who picked up the phone in a speed of light.

“Hello,” he answered.

Devon waited in baited breath while watching as Henry’s face showed relief.

“Copy. Out.”

She stood up when he put the phone back to his pocket.

“W-What’s the news? How’s Daemon? Y-Your group?” her voice stuttered.

“Many are still alive. He’s alive.” He glanced at the backyard when a dozen of armored cars began to park. “I gotta go. I need to go back. They will temporarily guard you until I can take you to Daemon. Don’t worry. They are all reliable. Private guards of Daemon. Tell them whatever you want and they'll do it for you.”

“Wait,” she stopped him from leaving and clenched her fist. “You can’t leave me alone here. Daemon said you have to protect me. You will protect me, not them so you have to take me with you. I won’t let you leave without me, Henry.”

“No, it’ll be too dangerous. You have to stay here. Daemon sent them here for you. That means you can trust them.”

“No,” she retorted. “I didn’t hear Daemon saying that but he told us that you need to protect me. I will only listen to what Daemon had said.”

Their eyes fought but in the end, he smiled and nodded. “You only want to see him to make sure that he is okay.”

Her face turned red. Was she really that transparent with her feelings?

“Alright. You’ll come with me. I owe you one this time because of what I did the last time but let me remind you princess that we’re quits. Come on.”

Henry ordered the men to escort them back to the mansion but the car didn’t slow down when they pass the road leading to the house and instead they took a detour.

“Wait, where are we going? I thought we’re going back?”

“No, it’s still too dangerous to go back. The enemies planted bombs in the house. Daemon is not in the mansion. He’s wounded, had several stitches, three bullets and a head injury,” he informed her as if he is just reading out loud a list of grocery items.

“What?!”

“Don’t worry. He’s alive, still fucking kicking.”

He stopped the car in front of a white house and motioned her to go out.

“Whose house is this?” she asked when they started walking inside.

“Maddy Johnson.” He turned to her. “You can go back to the car and wait for me if you can’t do this.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat to shake off the doubts in her head. She’s already here so she has to see Daemon. She has to make sure that he is really alive. She does not care if Maddy is here or the fact that she is the first person he called and asked for help. He must have trusted her too much.

“I will come with you. I need to see him alive.”

Henry paused for a second before nodding and leading the way which is a clear indication that this is not the first time that he’s been here. Judging from the way Henry is being acknowledged by the guards in the living room, he is definitely not a stranger here.

They stopped in front of a partially opened door.

“Are you really sure? You might not like what you’ll see.”

“I don’t care.” She pushed the door open and braced herself upon seeing the sight.

Maddy is busy cleaning the wounds of Daemon who is naked on top and is covered with dried blood. There are plasters on his body and a large bandage on the side of his head.

Both turned to them. Daemon’s tired eyes lit up when he saw her while Maddy wore that unmistakable annoyance on her face.

“Daemon…” she sobbed and ran to him but she didn’t hug him or even hold him. She is afraid that she will only hurt him more so she just covered her mouth and cried.

He smiled and beckoned her to come closer. She did ignoring Maddy’s warning glance.

“Shhh, don’t cry. I am alive so you won’t have to marry Henry.”

The man coughed to let his presence be known. “Daemon, I’ve talked with Vito on the phone. He’s on his way.”

“Good. Wait for him outside.”

Henry left. Daemon took her hand in his and smiled at her reassurinly. Maddy stood out of the bed after seeing their intertwined hands.

“I was so scared. I really thought something worst had happened. We’re waiting for your call but no one is answering Henry.”

“I am alive. Just a bit injured but I am alive Devon so you don’t have to worry.” He tried to touch her face but he winced when he overextended his arm.

“I know that you will survive that. Henry told me you’re a devil and that your enemy is your anemic uncle. I just can’t help but worry.”

He laughed but was soon forced to stop when a gush of blood soiled his side. She started to panic but he just dismissed him.

“It’s just a scratch. You had your dinner already? Did you sleep?” he asked while stroking her cheek.

“Daemon, you need to rest. I’ll take Devon to her room. She can stay the night here," Maddy interrupted them.

Devon looked at Daemon who nodded at her. “Go with her. She can be trusted.”

“Okay.” Reluctantly, she followed Maddy outside.

“I specifically asked Henry not to bring you here. You see, Daemon needs all the time to heal. He does not need someone to take care of this time.”

Devon stopped in her tracks and sighed.

“Maddy, can I talk to you?”

Maddy crossed her arms and faced her. “Go on.”

“I will get Daemon now. I can take care of him. Thank you for treating him when it should be my responsibility.”

Maddy looked at her as if she is speaking in foreign tongues. “Are you serious now? You gotta be joking me.”

“No, I am dead serious. Never been serious in my entire life until now. I’ll take Daemon with me.”

She laughed mockingly. “And where would you bring him? Back into your house? Don’t tell me you are bringing him to your family? Are you even thinking?”

Devon stood on her feet and deflected her intimidating tactics. “I am not an idiot to do that. I’ll take him to the safe house. I have Henry with us and the rest of the guards. I will manage. I can manage.”

“You will manage?” she laughed again but this time, Devon knows that Maddy became a little bit dangerous. “You think you have earned the right to claim him as your husband just because you are carrying our babies? Oh please! Humor me more! You are not capable, Devon. Remember your place in Daemon’s life. Stop dreaming to become his partner. That will never happen. You are and will always just be the daughter of his rival. Nothing else. That’s the reason why he just relegated you to be the surrogate and not the biological mother.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that he married me,” she said calmly even though what she said pulled a string in her. “I am his wife, Maddy. His legal wife. I have more right to be with him than you. It’s my duty to protect him this time just like how he protected me. I don’t care about being his partner or what. You can be that for all I care. All I want to do now is just take care of him and for the record, I am not asking your permission on this. I am just simply informing you.”

She turned her back towards the door but Maddy was quicker to seize her arm.

“Don’t you dare! Leave Daemon with me or I would have to drag your ass out of my own property.”

“No,” she stated stubbornly. “You don’t have to do that. I will leave but I’ll take my husband with me.”

Maddy had something more to say when the door opened and Daemon walked out slowly. He is already fully clothed. Devon immediately went to his side to assist him. He put his arms on her shoulders and looked at Maddy who is seething in jealousy.

“I’ll go with my wife just like what she wanted me to do. Thank you, Maddy. As what we had agreed, you can have the next shipment.”

“Daemon… you can’t possibly leave now and it’s not about that damn shipment! You are still bleeding all over! I can’t let you leave here!”

“Henry already arranged the safe house so I can leave now. You know I don’t intend on staying here.”

Devon gripped his hand. He returned the gesture and tugged her to move.

“We gotta go. I’ll see you soon.” Daemon turned to Devon. “Hold me tighter. I am merely holding myself now because of my jealous wife.”

Devon smiled and assisted him. Maddy wanted to protest but she could do nothing but just look at the couple who was hand in hand and slowly walking down to the staircase.

“What a jerk. Since then and now, you still choose women like Kate.” Keeping her emotions inside, she just watched as they climbed down the stairs.