Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 27: I’ve got all the time in the world

Kael fired up the stove—flames licking low under a dented pot—and tossed in rice, broth, and scraps of meat, the sizzle filling the air with a savory bite that cut through the Haven's stale dust. Steam rose fast, curling around his face as he stirred, mind already shifting to Freya's locked door. Lunch simmered on its own, and he left it bubbling, wiping his hands on a rag before crossing the hall.

His boots thudded soft on the tiles as he unlocked Freya's room, the click sharp in the quiet, and stepped inside—bracing for her icy glare. She sat on her cot, platinum-cyan hair catching the light, her blue eyes snapping to him with a cold, silent weight. No smirk, no words—just a wall of frost as he leaned against the frame, arms crossing loose. "So, Freya," he started, voice casual but edged, "how'd Lightning Lass snag you? What went down?"

Her gaze held his, unblinking, and she stayed mute—lips a tight line, giving him nothing but that piercing stare. Kael's grin twitched, hazel glinting as he straightened, stepping closer. "I've got all the time in the world," he said, tone hardening.

"Can keep you locked in here as long as I want. No one knows you're here—nobody's coming. And honestly? I wouldn't lose sleep starving you out. You've killed people, Freya—people—and I'm the hero here. Mercy's not my burden with you." He turned, boots scuffing as he aimed for the door, but her voice stopped him cold—just as his hand brushed the knob.

"Wait." It was low, flat, and Kael's grin flashed—triumph sparking—until he glanced back, and her icy stare snuffed it out fast.

Freya leaned forward on the cot, her hands clasped tight, and started talking, her voice steady but laced with a bitter edge. "I was hunting the leader of a villain gang—another bitch, runs her crew like a damn empire. Planned to gut her clean, take her down slow. Things got messy—chaos exploded, blood everywhere. I dropped a few of her goons, froze their legs solid and shattered them, but the boss bitch slipped away just as Lightning Lass crashed the scene." She paused, jaw tightening, and her blue eyes flicked to the wall, reliving it.

"We fought—her bolts against my ice—but I was already beat from the gang. She pinned me, collared me, and here I am." Kael tilted his head, hazel narrowing as he leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms again. "Why go after them?" he asked, voice low, probing. "They're villains, same as you—why the vendetta?"

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Freya's gaze snapped back to him, a flicker of hesitation breaking her frost before she pushed on, locking eyes hard. "They double-crossed me on our last job—left me bleeding out in some hero trap, figured I'd die quiet. I didn't. Clawed my way out, hid in a rundown shack, nursed myself back with scraps and spite. Three months of hell, Kael—then I went for revenge. Lightning Lass just got in my damn way." Her voice dipped, a curse slipping free as she sneered.

"That bitch stole my shot—I'll get her too, someday." Kael listened close, his grin gone, replaced by a steady stare as he processed her words—anger, betrayal, survival. He stepped forward, voice calm but cutting. "Can you really blame them, though? Villains like you—cunning, selfish, flipping sides when it suits. You know how it works better than anyone."

Her blue eyes flared, annoyance cracking her calm as she sat up straighter, hands fisting in her lap. "You don't get it," she snapped, voice rising sharp. "You've got no clue what I went through—three months dodging heroes, stitching myself up, choking down rot just to live. I'll bust out of this shithole rehab, even if it means killing you first, then that boss. Alone." Kael's brow lifted, and he stepped closer still, voice dropping low.

"Then what?" Silence hit—heavy, thick—and Freya's glare faltered, her lips parting with no answer, just raw irritation burning in her eyes. He watched her flounder, then straightened with a shrug. "Figure it out," he said, turning away, and shut the door firm behind him, the lock clicking loud.

A shrill whistle pierced the air—cooker screaming from the kitchen—and Kael grinned soft, lunch ready on cue. He plated Freya's share first—rice steaming, meat tender—and slid it under her door with a quick knock, locking it tight again before heading to Rhea's room.

The key turned, and he pushed in, finding her fresh from a shower—crimson hair damp, skin glistening, standing in just her black panties. Her perky breasts pointed his way as she turned, amber eyes catching his flush before he jerked his gaze aside, cheeks heating fast.

She smirked, half-lidded and mocking, sauntering closer. "What's with the shy act, huh? An hour ago, you were all over me—hands on my chest like you owned it." Her voice teased, low and playful, and Kael coughed, rubbing his neck, still looking away. "Yeah, whatever," he muttered, voice gruff. "Lunch is ready—come eat."

Rhea's grin widened, loud and bright. "Hell yes!" she chirped, snagging the t-shirt and pajama pants from the floor and tugging them on quick, the fabric clinging damp to her skin as she followed him out. By the time she hit the table, Kael had the plates set—rice piled high, broth rich—and they dug in, spoons clacking as steam curled between them.

Lunch passed fast, flavors sharp on their tongues, and Rhea leaned back after, stretching with a groan while Kael stacked the dishes. She hopped up then, joining him at the sink, suds bubbling as she scrubbed a plate beside him. "You need to get me real clothes," she said, voice firm but light, flicking water his way. "Not these pajamas or those slutty dresses you thought were cute."

Kael's grin slipped low, half-ashamed as he rinsed a spoon, suds dripping down his wrist. He'd bought her two pairs of those skimpy dresses—red and black—thinking they'd spark something, and yeah, they had, but practical? Not a chance. "Fair point," he said, voice dry, then paused as a thought hit—Freya needed clothes too, locked up in her stiff gear.

His hazel eyes flicked to Rhea, scrubbing away, and he let the silence stretch before tossing out casual, "Wanna come shopping with me?"