Aiden was once again blown out of the water. He knew her knowledge of him was already more than it was supposed to be, but the Cassowaries team? That was again, something even those among his most trustworthy men didn't know about.
"Your ability is truly outstanding." Aiden said to her in a low yet gravelly calm voice.
"Why thank you. It means a lot coming from the man that personally assembled one of the country's, and maybe even the worlds, most lethal assassination squad. It's almost unrivaled."
"Almost?" Aiden's eyebrow raised as his lips turned into an intrigued grin.
"Almost." Claire said innocently as she offered him a sweet smile before her attention was again divided between their conversation and her food. "But we can leave that discussion for another time." She said like a matter of fact. Leaving no room for him to continue questioning her about it.
Cassowaries, are the deadliest species of birds in the world. It's known as such because if it feels threatened, it will leap up and strike out with these dagger-like weapons, inflicting potentially lethal wounds to internal organs and causing severe bleeding. And just like the inspiration to their name, the squad under Aiden's command known as the Cassowaries, are just as unrelenting.
It was an appropriate named group for serving the Blood Raven himself.
"Information in exchange for the use of my men? That's it?" He asked while the gears in his head turned.
If she wanted the Cassowaries, that meant that from the list he had compiled of her potential underworld threats, only three would require a task force as powerful as the one she was seeking.
"For now." Claire said as she swirled the pasta onto her fork.
"So we'll have a continuous open bargain with each other? I like that." He chuckled as he followed her example and went back to eating his perfectly cooked stake.
"The possibilities are endless that way. Don't you think?" Claire said which made them both grin at each other.
----------------
At Imperial Hospital.
"Now remember Lily, his body is still healing so be careful when you touch him okay?" Anna said as they reached Colton's hospital room.
When Claire let her know that he was awake, she was in the middle of her destressing session. Much to the relief of those on the receiving end of her pent up emotions, she quickly got ready and left the center base with Lily.
'Okay Auntie. I'll be super careful.' Lily signed as she nodded her head.
"Good girl." Anna replied before taking in a deep breath. She stood at his door with Lily by her side. The two guards assigned to watch over the room stepped aside to let them through.
As soon as one of the men opened the door for them, Colton turned to see who had come. His usual goofy smile was replaced with a genuine loving one as soon as he saw them.
"Hey Kiddo. Miss me?"
"Uncle!" Lily loudly said as she ran to his bed surprising everybody. As usual, they weren't expecting to hear her voice.
She reached out to touch him but immediately stopped herself an inch before she did. Pulling her hand behind her back, she looked up at him with watery eyes and a big smile on her face. She was beyond glad to see him.
Noticing how she avoided him out of concern, Colton's gaze turned softer.
"You know Kiddo, the doctor prescribed me warm niece hugs. But since you're my only niece, I haven't been able to do as told. Do you think you can help?"
Lily's smile grew as she quickly nodded in response. She wasted no time in using the chair besides the bed to get on it. Carefully avoiding his abdomen and casted arm, she hugged the upper part of his body. Colton wrapped his good arm around her and gave her a tight squeeze.
"Ah. Just what he doctor ordered." He sighed as he felt his chest swell with emotion.
His first reaction during the accident was to reach out to Lily and keep her from harm's way. His life was a cheap price to pay if it meant she was safe. Having her alive and well in his arms after feeling so useless the night of their crash, felt like being able to properly breath again.
Loosening their hug, Lily sat next to him on the bed while leaning into his embrace. He kept her close to him.
"Does it hurt Sweetie? I'm so sorry. Your uncle wasn't fast enough." Colton said as he gently kissed the injury on her forehead. It wasn't covered in gauze anymore giving him a clear view of the two stitches she had.
'It doesn't hurt Uncle.' Lily replied as she smiled up at him. A single tear ran down her cheek. Colton wiped it away with his good arm. His heart felt heavy, but having her adorable little face in his hand made him feel better. It was the best kind of medicine.
Anna watched as her heart thumped harshly in her chest. His smile was the same as before. He was talking and moving the same as before. She could feel her eyes start to sting, but crying in front of him was never an option. So just as she had done so for years, she simply stood by the door and watched him from afar.
It didn't matter if she yearned for him. She didn't care if it was hurtful to even be around him. Guilt and sadness would always accompany her image of him, so it was easier to simply stay quiet and ignore whatever she felt.
----------
The day passed by and turned the bright yellow sun into an orange sunset. Lily spent the whole day talking to her uncle. Telling him all about the new things she had done. Just as Aiden had told her, Colton smiled non-stop. His smiled widened even more when she gave him the mug she had handmade.
"Who knew I was the uncle to the most talented little flower out there?!" Was his immediate response. He peppered her face with kisses and caressed her head while she gave him every last detail of her little adventure at the zoo.
Anna would say a few words when spoken to, but she mostly stayed silent in her chair as she watched the two ramble on.
After hours of talking, a nurse came by to redress Colton's bandages and have him take his medication. Anna took that as a sign for them to leave since it was already late.
"Lily, it's time for us to go now. Your uncle needs to rest." Anna said as she stood up.
'Okay.' Lily's face turned a bit sad as she turned to give Colton a hug.
"Don't worry Kiddo. I'll be out of here in no time. And in the meantime, you can come see me whenever you want." Colton reassured her.
Just as he did, the rooms door opened again. Everybody's gaze moved to see who it was and saw Ben walking inside.
"Good evening." Ben said as he slightly bowed in their direction. "I'm glad to see you have woken up Young Master." His usual gentle smile spread across his lips as he looked at Colton.
"I'm glad to see you too Ben. You couldn't have come at a better time actually. Do you mind taking Lily? Ms. Clemson and I have some things to discuss." Colton said making Anna freeze. She had already gone around the bed to take her leave with Lily.
Ben quickly caught on to his master's intentions and moved into action before Anna could even respond. "Of course." He swiftly helped Lily off the bed before turning to leave. "We'll be taking our leave now. Rest well."
Ben left holding Lily's hand while she waved them goodbye. The door closed behind them leaving the nurse to tend to Colton and Anna who awkwardly watched as she finished. Ten minutes passed by and the nurse left giving them complete privacy. They stared at each other in silence for a while.
"Anything I can help with Young Master?" Anna smiled politely as she broke the silence between them. Her way of speaking was as professional as she could muster.
"Yes Ms. Clemson, as a matter of fact there is." He replied with an equally polite and professional tone. "For starters I want to see everything that's been obtained in regards to the reason I'm temporarily handicapped."
"Of course Sir." Anna said as she took out her phone to note down his requests.
"I also want you to send me the list of all the shadow guards assigned to Claire. She mentioned something about picking up a couple of new pups, get me everything about those too."
"Anything else sir?" She asked as she stared down at what she was typing on her phone.
"Yes. Come here and kiss me."
And at that, the sound of Anna's phone hitting the floor was heard.