Page 60 of Ghost Hunted

“Piper!”

I turn around slowly, and my body grows cold when I see my daughter fall to the ground, unconscious. Then there’s a crack as a fist makes contact with skin, and when I turn back around, I see Lia keel over.

In a daze, I stand up, trying to make sense of what just happened.

Of my two girls, lifeless on the floor.

16

Lia

“Ow… ow…”

My head hurts. My nose hurts. My jaw hurts. My hair hurts.

Everything fucking hurts.

I blink open my eyes, the world a blur of colors and forms. Slowly, the fog eases, and I can see.

I’m in some sort of bedroom. I vaguely remember being here before. I remember being in bed with Logan. I remember him using my body, and wanting it. But now, I’m alone on the ground, my body hurts, and he’s not here.

No, he is. I can hear his voice. But he’s not looking at me.

“You’re going to be okay, Piper. Your shoulder’s injured, but it’s okay. It’s just a flesh wound. The doctor’s on his way and he’ll treat you. You’ll be as good as new in just a few days.”

“Mama…”

“She’s not your mother,” says another male voice.

“Quill.” Logan’s voice grows sharper. “Quill, you’d better fucking shut your mouth…”

“Papa, please…” murmurs Piper.

“It’s okay, sweetie. Everything’s okay. I should have protected you. It’s not your mother’s fault.”

“She’s not Piper’s mother.”

This time, Logan doesn’t answer. There’s a ring at the front door and he hurries out, followed by another pair of feet—Quill’s. I can hear a third male voice now. It must be the doctor’s.

I don’t understand why I can’t move, or why no one’s paying attention to me. A lump rises in my throat as I try to make sense of the world I’ve just awakened in.

Doesn’t he love me? Why does he ignore me?

What happened to my Aurora?

“No, you’re not staying here.” Logan’s voice drifts back to me through the closed door. “You’re coming with me.”

“Fuck that.”

“You and I have something to settle, Quill. Come on.”

“Papa, please…”

“I’ll be right back, cricket,” says Quill roughly. “He’s not your father. He’s just some fucking bastard. And she’s not your mother either; I’ll be right back.”

“Quill! Stop! Please!” Piper’s voice comes through the closed door. She must have been carried out to the other room.

The door opens again, and I hear the sound of something metallic. “You know I’m going to have to beat the fucking shit out of you,” growls Logan.