Road to Passion

by Piper Davenport

  Mack nodded to the back. “Bedroom. I’m gonna take care of Darien and then I’ll join you.”

  Knight stepped to Darien who stood at the island. “You okay, babe?”

  Mack watched her blink back tears, but she nodded and Knight squeezed her arm gently before heading to the back of the house.

  “Let’s get some ice on that lip,” Mack said, and wrapped a towel around an icepack. She gasped as the cold touched her lip and Mack slipped her hair gently behind her ear. “Better?”

  “He had a knife,” she whispered, barely loud enough to hear.

  “Yeah?”

  She nodded. “He said he was going to... slit my throat... and make you watch.” She hiccupped as her composure broke and she burst into tears.

  Mack pulled her against him and laid his hand on her head, stroking her hair gently. “Okay, baby, I’ve got you.”

  “We should take her back to the compound,” Booker said as he walked into the room. “Have Suz look her over.”

  Darien shook her head. “I just want to go home.”

  “It’s not safe there right now, baby,” Mack said, and pulled his hand away with a frown. “Babe, you’re bleeding.”

  “But they’ll know we’re back together if we go to the club.”

  “They’re gonna know either way,” Booker said. “If you’re at the club, no one can touch you.”

  “What about Pauley and Barney?”

  Booker smiled. “They can come as well, Darien.”

  “Where will we sleep?”

  “You’ll sleep with Mack,” Booker continued. “Pauley will sleep in mine and Dani’s room.”

  “Dare,” Mack said, and rinsed out a towel. “Your head is bleeding,” he repeated.

  “It is?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Sit down.”

  “I’ll get Pauley,” Knight offered. “I brought my truck.”

  “Thanks, Knight,” Darien said. “Tell Pauley to get Barney’s leash, we’ll bring his stuff from here.” She looked up at Mack. “Is that okay?”

  “Yeah, baby. It’s okay, but you need to sit down.” He squeezed her shoulder and guided her to a stool, pushing her gently down. “I’m gonna grab you some ibuprofen.”

  She nodded while Booker went back to the bedroom. Dropping her head onto her arm on the island, Darien groaned and then shot off the stool and to the sink, vomiting uncontrollably into it.

  “Shit!” Mack hissed, and rushed to her. “Dare?”

  “I’m dizzy,” she said, and passed out.

  Mack caught her, cradling her head gently. “Fuck! Book!” he bellowed as he settled Darien on the sofa.

  Booker rushed into the room and headed straight for Darien.

  “He fuckin’ did somethin’ to her head,” Mack said, and grabbed his keys. “I’m takin’ her to emergency.”

  “Go. I got this,” Booker said.

  “Thanks.” Mack lifted Darien gently and carried her to the car, buckling her in, his heart racing in fear. He probably should have called an ambulance, but he knew he could get her there faster and he wasn’t willing to risk the ambulance being delayed.

  She started to come around just as Mack parked and rushed to her side of the car. He yanked the door open and unbuckled her, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her out.

  “Sick,” she warned and he moved her to a grassy area where she promptly threw up again. “Oh, God, my head hurts.”

  “I know, baby. We’re at the hospital.”

  “I think I hit my head.”

  “Yeah, you’re bleeding. You don’t remember me telling you?” he asked.

  “Huh-uh,” she whispered.

  “Give me your weight and we’ll get you inside.”

  She slid her arm over his shoulders and leaned against him. “Mack?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m dizzy again.”

  “You pass out, I got you.”

  “I’m not going to pass out,” she said. “I’m just not feeling well.”

  “Do you remember the fucker hittin’ you in the head?”

  She shook her head and then whimpered. “I think it happened when I fell. He hit me in the face and I fell backwards.”

  “Fuck!” he whispered, guided her into the emergency area.

  “Mack?” a voice called just as they entered the lobby.

  He looked up to see a somewhat familiar face. Macey, he thought her name was.

  “Hey. Booker called,” she said. “I’m Macey Stone. My husband and I live in Booker and Dani’s building.”

  “Right,” Mack said. “You’ve been to a couple get-togethers.”

  “Yes. Let’s get Darien inside. I’ll grab a wheelchair. You can fill out the paperwork while we look her over.”

  “Thanks.”

  Mack was impressed by how quickly Macey got Darien checked in, seen by a doctor (who happened to be her brother-in-law) and had her in a bed to await a cat scan. He knew it was because she had pull as an ER nurse, and it was their good luck that all this shit happened on a day she was working. Darien had required six stitches, which Mack found impossible to deal with, so she forced him out of the room.

  Mack trusted that his brothers would take care of everything else so he could concentrate on Darien. The doctor had given her something for the pain and the nausea and she was resting comfortably for now, however, she wasn’t allowed to sleep. He paced the room as his mind raced in worry.

  “Mack?”

  “Yeah, baby?” He sat at the edge of her bed.

  “I’m really tired.”

  “I know. But you need to stay awake.”

  “I get it, but if you keep pacing, I’m gonna get dizzier because I can’t close my eyes.”

  He lifted her palm to his lips and kissed gently. “Sorry.”

  “I’m okay, honey.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’m just going to have a hell of a headache for a little while.”

  Mack grimaced. “We’re gonna figure this out. It won’t touch you again.”

  She nodded. “I’m supposed to be moving in less than a week.”

  “Yeah. We’ll take care of that too.” He ran a thumb across her fingers. “I’m gonna have Knight go through and sort out cameras and a decent security system.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Maybe, but he’s gonna do it.”

  Darien rolled her eyes and grimaced at the action.

  Mack shook his head. “No disrespecting your man. It’ll hurt your head.”

  She let out a quiet giggle. “You’re taking advantage of my current situation, Logan. You’ll change your tune when I’m better.”

  “Yeah?”

  Darien nodded. “You like it when I’m disrespectful.”

  “Yeah, I guess I do.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. “How’s your lip?”

  “Fine. Nothing hurts right now.” She yawned. “I’m just tired.”

  “Darien?” Pauley rushed into the room and to her bed. “Ohmigod, what happened?” She glared at Mack. “And what the hell are you doing here?”

  “How did you find out I was here?” Darien asked.

  “Booker showed up at the apartment. What’s going on?”

  “It’s a long story,” Darien said.

  “Why’s Mack here, Dare?”

  “That’s also a long story.”

  “Can you give us a minute?” Pauley glared at Mack. “Alone?”

  Mack hesitated, but Darien squeezed his hand and smiled. “It’s okay, honey.”

  “Don’t fall asleep.”

  “I won’t,” Darien promised.

  He nodded, leaning down to kiss her gently, before leaving the room.

  I WATCHED MACK leave and focused back on Pauley. “He didn’t cheat.”

  Pauley sighed. “I know. Kim told me.”

  “Kim has a big mouth.”

  “Kim was protecting her friend,” Pauley countered. “And she wouldn’t give me any other information other than he didn’t cheat. I sure as hell didn�
�t know anything about you two getting back together until I walked in just now. You’re totally freaking me out.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I kind of surprised him last night when I broke into his house... well, I didn’t break in, I used a key, but he wasn’t expecting me.”

  “And this?” She waved her hand around the room.

  “Some guy broke into his house and I walked in on him. He didn’t like it.”

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “I had to get a few stitches and I have a concussion, but I’ll be fine. They’re probably releasing me in a few hours. I just have to have a little scan to make sure there’s no damage.”

  “Ohmigod, Dare, that’s not good.”

  “Did Booker tell you he wants us at the compound for a little while?”

  Pauley nodded.

  “Are you okay with that?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “We’re already packed up and it’s a few days with a bunch of hot bikers, I’m fine with that, but I’m more worried about the reason for it all. What have you gotten yourself... us... into?”

  I grimaced. “I have no idea.”

  “Darien?” Macey walked into the room with a wheelchair. “Are you ready for your scan?”

  Mack followed the nurse in, a worried expression on his face.

  “Yes,” I said. “I don’t have to go into a tube, right?”

  “No.” She smiled. “Are you claustrophobic?”

  “Badly,” I admitted.

  “It’s not an MRI, so you should be fine.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Mack said.

  “That’s fine,” Macey said. “If you want him there, Darien.”

  I nodded. “That would be great. Pauley, will you stay here?”

  “Yeah, sissy.”

  “Thanks.”

  Macey and Mack helped me into the wheelchair and we made our way down to radiology. Thankfully, the entire process took less than twenty minutes and I was back in my room resting before my head started pounding again. Mack’s hand covered mine and I opened my eyes. I didn’t even realize I’d closed them.

  “You in pain?” he asked.

  I bit my lip with a grimace and nodded.

  “Okay. I’ll find the nurse.”

  He left the room and Pauley entered my line of sight. “Is it bad?”

  “It’s not much fun,” I admitted.

  Macey returned with a dose of Dilaudid and an hour later I was cleared to go home and sleep. There was no brain trauma, so I would feel back to normal in a couple of days.

  “I’ll run home and grab the dog and some clothes,” Pauley said. “The stuff you need right now’s in your suitcase, right? Not in a box?”

  “Yes,” I confirmed.

  “No going home without a shadow,” Mack countered, and pulled out his phone.

  “Booker said he’d wait.”

  “Book?” Mack spoke into his phone. “You still here? Yeah. Thanks. We’ll meet you outside.” He hung up and nodded. “Book’ll take you home.”

  “Didn’t I just say that?” Pauley grumbled.

  “Don’t fight it, sissy,” I said. “It won’t change anything and it’ll just drive you crazy.”

  Pauley flipped Mack off (albeit, behind his back because she wasn’t entirely stupid) and I stifled a giggle.

  “I saw that,” Mack said, and I laughed, gasping as the pain hit my head. Mack frowned and stroked my cheek. “Babe.”

  “I’m okay,” I rasped.

  “Ready?” Macey asked, appearing in the doorway.

  “Very,” I said, and she helped me back into the wheelchair.

  Once in the car, Mack drove to the compound, his face tight with worry, but saying nothing. I was too tired to think, so I just closed my eyes and tried to forget about the pain making my skull feel like it was going to implode.

  The car came to a stop and Mack’s hand covered mine. “We’re here.”

  “It hurts to open my eyes,” I admitted.

  “You don’t have to open your eyes.” I heard the door open and he closed it as quietly as he could, then the breeze fluttered across my skin when he opened my door and unbuckled the belt. “Arms around my neck, baby,” he directed. “You can keep your eyes closed. I’ve got you.”

  I did exactly as he suggested and found myself lifted into his arms (like I weighed nothing) and carried into the compound and up the stairs without opening my eyes. In fact, I didn’t open my eyes again until it was dark outside and I was alone in Mack’s room... and I was freezing. I realized I was freezing because I was pretty close to naked. Mack had the good sense to leave my panties intact, but he’d removed everything else. I heard a toilet flush, then the faucet started and I glanced toward the bathroom door to see Mack slip back into the room.

  “I’m awake,” I whispered.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been hit in the head with a hammer.”

  “Can you sit up, baby?” he asked, and I pushed myself up. Mack handed me some pills and a bottled water and I took the pain killers, then threw the covers off. “Careful.”

  “I have to pee,” I said. “And I’m freezing.”

  “Sorry, baby, I had the window open.” Mack slid his arm around my waist and lifted me off the bed. “You’ll be warm soon enough.”

  I shivered as he walked me into the bathroom. He left me for a minute and returned with one of his sweatshirts, sliding it over my head while I sat on the toilet. “I feel like I should be embarrassed,” I said.

  “Are you?”

  “Nope.”

  Mack chuckled and kissed my nose. “Good.”

  “Probably the drugs.”

  “It’s because you trust me.”

  I cocked my head. “It is?”

  He grinned. “Yep.”

  “It’s the drugs.”

  He laughed. “I’m gonna close the window. Move slow, baby.”

  “Okay, butthead.” I finished up in the bathroom and he helped me back into bed, pulling me against him gently.

  “How’s your head?”

  “It’s a little better,” I said, and yawned.

  “Good.” He kissed my forehead. “’Night Pid.”

  “’Night, butthead.”

  * * *

  I woke again to an empty bed. This time it was light outside and there was a note on the nightstand. Pid, Take the pills and text me.

  I smiled and did as he ordered (he was bossy even in written form), then I headed to the bathroom. I really wanted a shower, but couldn’t get my stitches wet yet, which just grossed me out, so I turned on the water and scooped my hair on top of my head.

  “Dare?” Mack pushed into the bathroom with a frown. “What are you doin’?”

  “Taking a shower.”

  “You’re not supposed to get your head wet.”

  “I know that. I’ll be careful.”

  “Darien. Sometimes, I feel like I should put you over my knee.” He forced me to sit on the toilet lid, naked as the day I was born, and he adjusted the water.

  “Over your knee sounds like fun.”

  “Fuck me, baby. Don’t say shit like that when I can’t do anything about it.”

  I giggled. “You better do something about it sooner than later.”

  Mack glanced at me, then pulled his T-shirt off. “Come on... in you go.”

  He helped me stand on shaky legs and I slid my hand down his chest and under the waistband of his jeans. “Mmm, I love going in.”

  Mack hissed and pulled my hand away. “God damn, Darien, you’re impossible to resist.”

  “Then don’t.”

  He cupped my face and I leaned into him, chest to chest. “Darien, you’re reacting to the drugs. It’s making you horny, which is good to know, so I know what to watch for, but I’m not gonna do anything to hurt you more. Do me a favor and try to resist the urge, yeah? I promise, I’ll make it worth your while as soon as you’re well.”

  I licked my lips and pouted. “You’re no fun, Logan.” />
  “I know, honey. I’m sorry.” He kissed me gently and then helped me into the shower.

  I managed about four minutes before I felt totally loopy. Mack helped me rinse off then was extraordinarily gentle as he dried me and put me back to bed. I think I was asleep before he was even done drying me, but couldn’t be sure.

  I slept on and off until the next morning, waking early pressed up against Mack. My head was markedly better and I rolled over so I could snuggle closer to my man.

  “Hey,” he whispered, and gave me a gentle squeeze.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” I kissed his throat and then his chest. He smelled like him and the body wash he used. Delicious.

  “You can wake me anytime, baby.” He gave me a gentle squeeze. “How’s your head?”

  “Much better.”

  “Doc wants you back tomorrow to check the stitches.”

  I nodded against his chest. “’K.”

  His hand slid under the sweatshirt I was wearing and settled on my waist. I gasped and sat up... a little too fast. “Ouch.”

  “Damn it, Darien.” Mack sat up as well and took my arm. “You need to go slow.”

  “Where’s Barney?” I asked, and tried to climb off the bed.

  “He’s in with Pauley.” Mack held tight so I couldn’t move. “He’s being cared for by pretty much everyone in the club. I think he may be the unofficial mascot.”

  “Well, I should probably take care of him now.”

  “Dare,” he said quietly, and tugged me onto his chest gently. “We’re gonna rest a bit before we do anything. You need to take some meds and see where you’re at once you do.”

  “I don’t want to sleep anymore.”

  “You can take some Tylenol now and then see if you need something harder later.”

  I sighed. “Okay.”

  “Okay,” he mimicked, and kissed my temple. “Right now, though, I’m gonna hold you for a minute.”

  “Can we do more than cuddle?”

  “No.”

  I huffed and sat up. “I’ll take the Tylenol now.”

  Mack laughed and shook his head. “Worse than a man, baby.” He climbed off the bed and I watched him walk to the bathroom. He was naked, damn it, and he was gorgeous.