Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 77: Gem

The Haven’s air felt heavier tonight, the gray walls absorbing the faint clink of dishes and the hum of unresolved tension.

Kael leaned against the dining table, his hazel eyes flicking between the kitchen and the locked front door, his mind a tangle of thorns.

Lightning Lass’s exit had left a crack in his plans—her refusal to bring more villains wasn’t just a setback; it was a chokehold on the Haven’s future and the way she acted tonight was a bad sign.

As of now, he needed a new pipeline, fast, and Harris’s name surfaced like a lifeline.

The supervisor had pull, contacts, maybe even a way to skirt the authorities.

But Harris wasn’t a pushover; he’d demand answers and explanations, and worse he would pry deeper into his ways and the progress like a third eye and he would hate it.

A problem for tomorrow.

Liss herself was another beast—a ticking bomb, her jealousy over Rhea’s rise and her suspicion of Freya’s change making her unpredictable.

If things went wry, she could spill his secrets, sabotage Rhea, or worse, come for the Haven itself. Kael’s jaw tightened.

He’d have to deal with her if she turned hostile, but for now, she was a storm on the horizon.

His immediate fire to douse was closer—Freya.

He crossed to her room, the door creaking as he pushed it open. Freya was there, her platinum-cyan hair catching the dim light, her tall frame unfolding from the cot like a blade unsheathed.

Before he could speak, she closed the distance, arms wrapping around him in a hug that felt too warm, too needy.

"I missed you," she murmured, her voice soft, her lips brushing his jaw before claiming his mouth in a kiss, hungry and unhesitant.

Her hand slid down his chest, fingers grazing his abs, then lower, curling toward his cock with a boldness that sent a jolt through him.

Kael caught her wrist, pulling back gently, his grin masking the unease creeping up his spine.

"Easy, Freya," he said, voice low, teasing. "We’ve got dinner to make. You in?"Her blue eyes flickered, a mix of disappointment and compliance, but she nodded, stepping back.

"Fine," she said, her tone light but her gaze lingering, too reliant, too tethered to him.

They moved to the kitchen, the space cramped, the counter cluttered with ingredients—potatoes, herbs, a slab of meat.

As they chopped and stirred, Freya’s shoulder brushed his, her movements deliberate, seeking contact.

She paused, knife hovering over a potato, and glanced at him.

"What was Lightning Lass doing here?"Kael kept his eyes on the sizzling pan, flipping a piece of meat with ease like a pro. "Just checking in. Seeing how I’m doing." The lie was smooth, but Freya’s silence felt heavy, probing.

She nodded, slow, then spoke, her voice quieter, edged with something sharp.

"Stay away from her, Kael. She’s dangerous."He glanced at her, surprised, his knife pausing mid-chop.

"Dangerous? What makes you say that?"Freya’s eyes met his, steady, unyielding, the queen peeking through her softened exterior. "I’ve seen villains, heroes—plenty of both. The look on her face when she saw me... it wasn’t right. Not like the heroes I’ve known. It was cold, bitter, like a villain wearing a hero’s mask."Kael’s brow furrowed, her words striking a nerve.

Liss had been his partner, his ally, but Freya’s read may or may not be wrong—her jealousy, her dark humor about torture, the way she’d spat "keep your bitches in line"—it wasn’t heroic.

Should he trust a villain’s words who he met only a few days ago?

He forced a chuckle, deflecting. "Liss has been a hero for years. She’s just... going through a rough patch. We go way back, you know."

Freya didn’t reply, her lips pressing into a thin line as she turned back to the potatoes, her knife slicing with precise, controlled force.

Kael watched her, unease settling deeper.

She was worried—for him, not herself—and that was the problem.

Freya had unraveled too fast, her icy walls melting into dependency, her world narrowing to him.

Yesterday, she’d been a queen, untouchable; now, she drowned in his presence, clinging to his approval, his touch, as if he held the map to her soul.

The human psyche was a mystery—how had she fallen so far, so quickly?

He needed her strong, not broken, but pushing her toward the superhero path now might backfire.

She had to want it herself, reclaim her fire without his hand guiding every step.

They cooked in a haze of flirtation, the tension easing into something lighter, playful.

Freya leaned close, her tongue flicking against his neck, a teasing lick that sent a shiver down his spine.

He retaliated in a similar fashion, his hand cracking against her ass, the sound sharp in the quiet kitchen, her gasp mingling with a laugh.

She pressed her breasts against his back, her warmth an aggressive provocation, and he swatted her ass cheeks again, harder, grinning as she yelped.

The dance continued—her fingers grazing his arm, his hip bumping hers, a rhythm of teasing that kept the air electric.

Dinner took shape, a simple spread of roasted meat, mashed potatoes, and greens, the aroma filling the Haven with warmth.

Thud-

The front door slammed open, shattering the moment.

"Kael!" Rhea’s voice cut through, raw and furious, her crimson hair a wild pattern as she stormed in.

Her amber eyes locked on Freya, narrowing to slits.

"What the fuck is she doing here? And why’s she like this?"Freya, perched on the dining table, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp, didn’t flinch.

Kael stepped forward, hands raised, his voice calm but firm.

"Rhea, chill. What’s wrong?"Rhea’s gaze snapped back to him, her scarred hands clenching.

"What’s she doing here?" she repeated, jabbing a finger at Freya."She’s eating with us," Kael said, keeping his tone even.

"Dinner’s almost ready."Rhea’s chest heaved, her anger a tangible heat despite the collar whirring faint on her neck.

"I met Lass," she spat, the words heavy, accusing.

Kael’s stomach dropped.

Oh, fuck.

He grabbed her arm, gentle but urgent, and pulled her outside, shutting the Haven’s door behind them.

They stepped a few paces into the deserted street, the dusk cool against his skin, ensuring Freya couldn’t overhear. "What did she say?" he asked, voice low, bracing for the worst.

Rhea’s amber eyes blazed, tears glinting at the edges. "Is it true? The media—was that your idea?" Her voice cracked, fury and betrayal twisting together.

Kael nodded, unflinching, honest. "Yeah. The first day, it was my call."

She exploded, yanking her arm free. "You lied to me! Made me think I was special, manipulated me into this hero bullshit! You’re a fucking con artist, Kael—a big, fat, dirty liar!" Her voice rose, trembling, her scars stark against her flushed skin.

Hot tears spilled now, hot and unchecked, her fists pounding against his chest, weak but desperate.

Kael caught her wrists, his grip steady, and pulled her close, hugging her despite her struggles.

"Hey, no, listen," he said, voice soft but insistent, his cheek against her hair. "It’s not what you think. I called the media that first day to show the world what you could be—a superhero, Rhea, a real strong one. Not to trick you, but to give you a stage."

She stilled, her sobs muffled against his chest, but her eyes, red and wary, searched his. "Then why do it again? With Crocky?"Kael shook his head, his voice earnest.

"I didn’t. The Crocky fight—that was all you. The media saw it, not me."

He pulled out his phone, fingers flying as he typed a quick message to Ross at PBN, the news outlet that covered her second fight.

A reply pinged almost instantly, and he showed her the screen.

"Look."

Rhea snatched the phone, her trembling fingers scrolling through the chat. Ross’s message was clear: "Saw her in the Timmy Robot fight. She’s a real gem, stuck in B-class. We’ve watched B and A-rankers hit S-class before—Flame Lantern’s got that spark. Definite potential."

She scrolled up, checking older messages—nothing but lunch plans and casual banter about hot superheroes, no trace of collusion since last month.

Her eyes lingered on Ross’s words, reading them once, twice, a third time and again and again.

A smile broke through her red face, small and embarrassed, her cheeks flushing.

"He says I’m a gem," she murmured, almost to herself.

Kael grinned, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You are a gem, Rhea."She handed back the phone, her anger softening, replaced by a shy pride.

"I wanna be a ruby," she said, voice quiet but firm.

"Then ruby you are," Kael replied, his tone warm, teasing.

The tension eased, and she leaned into him for a moment, the fight draining out of her.

She reached into her jacket, pulling out a thick envelope and pressing it into his hands.

"Here," she said, a faint smirk tugging her lips.

"Your cut."Kael took it, grinning wide. "Thanks for your generous work for the community, Fire Lantern. Common people like me are always grateful for your noble service."

He ruffled her hair, and she chuckled, swatting his hand away.

They turned back to the Haven, the envelope heavy with cash—her earnings as a hero, proof of her transformation.

Inside, Freya sat at the dining table, the food untouched, her blue eyes flicking to them as they entered.

"Finally back," she said, her tone light but her gaze sharp, locking on Rhea. "I was afraid the food would get cold."