Everyone started clapping and cheering. I waved my hands to get them all to stop. It felt like I was a war hero coming home. “Please everyone. I didn't do anything. Being stupid and getting stabbed in the back shouldn't warrant this.”
Claire came through the crowd and kissed me on the cheek. “We're just glad to have you back home, hun.”
“Thank you, Claire.”
“I went over to your place and got some clean clothes for you. I put everything in the spare bedroom upstairs. If you need anything, just ask.”
I gave her a big hug. “Thank you again.”
Big Mike came rushing over to me, juggling two pints of beer. The light brew spilled over the top and dripped all over his feet. “I bet you've missed this,” he said, handing me a glass.
“You have no idea, Mike.” I took a sip and let the beer run down my throat. “Damn that tastes good.”
Mason came over and cornered me. “Welcome back, Tanner.” He gave me a quick hug and patted me on the back.
“Thank you, Prez.”
“Come into the meeting room. We need to talk about something.”
Mason led me through the crowd until we were behind closed doors. Our little meeting room was just a wood table with a bunch of seats surrounding it. Someday we'd get a nice spider carved into it. I waited for Mason to start talking. What could he possibly want to talk about right when I got back?
“I know what you're feeling, Tanner.”
He does?
Mason sat down at the head of the table where the President belonged. He motioned for me to sit down next to him. I'd never sat in the Vice President spot before. It felt good. Someday, King. Mason continued, “Many members have gone through this before. That boiling emotion you feel inside.”
Was he talking about Grace? I balled my hand into a fist and examined the bruised and bloodied knuckles. It felt way too good knocking out that doctor. If I was at full strength, I don't know if I could have stopped until the life was beaten out of him.
Mason pulled out a small box with a bow on top. “I know you feel that need for vengeance but we couldn't wait.”
I looked up at him confused. Then it all connected. He's talking about the guy from the bar—the one that stabbed me. I opened the box and found an index and middle finger placed neatly on a bed of velvet. The ends were covered in dry blood. It looked like they had been snipped them off with garden shears—probably while he was still alive.
“Thank you for this, Mason.” I closed the box and set it down. Ever since I met Grace, I had totally forgotten about the need for revenge. I hadn't thought about the man who stabbed me once since I woke up in the hospital.
“That motherfucker won't be roaming the streets any longer. Don't worry we made him pay.”
I hugged Mason again. He was like a father to me. I never wanted to disappoint him.
Mason lit up. “We have one more surprise for you.”
“Seriously, you guys didn't have to go through all this.”
“We need this more than you do, Tanner. We thought we almost lost you in the operating room. Claire sobbed the entire time.”
Shit. I imagined Claire crying uncontrollably and everyone trying to console her. I didn't even think about that. I never wanted to make her cry again. These people were my family and they almost lost me. “So what's that surprise you mentioned?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.
Mason opened the door and Slade walked in with a gorgeous redhead at his side. Her arms were covered in tattoos and her white v-neck barely contained her massive tits. She looked vaguely familiar.
“I think this girl wants to talk to you,” Slade said. He couldn't help but grin as he handed her over to me.
I looked the chick in the eyes and finally remembered. Oh fuck! This was the one from the bar. The girl I got stabbed over. She was drop-dead gorgeous but not get-stabbed-and-almost-die gorgeous.
“My name's Minnie,” she announced, holding out her hand.
“Nice to finally meet you. I'm Tanner.” I grabbed her hand and felt nothing. No spark. Nothing. She was just like every other hot piece of ass I'd been with. That didn't mean I couldn't have some fun with her. I deserved it after all that cock-teasing with Grace. It would be nice to release those big melons from her black bra and suck on her nipples. Bend her over and fuck her hard. “Want to go up to my room?” I asked.
Minnie batted her eyelashes and flushed. She was already melting in my hands. I led her through the cheering crowd and upstairs. Her lips were on mine before we could even get to the room. I felt up her large breasts as we made our way to the bed. I shoved her down and undid my belt buckle. My hardness pressed against the inside of my pants.
“I've been thinking about you ever since that night at the bar,” she said, sucking on her finger. “The way you took care of my ex-boyfriend made me so wet. I need that big cock of yours inside me.”
The thought of being with Grace entered my mind. What was she doing here? Didn't she know I was busy? I shook her away and focused on Minnie. She tore her tight shirt off until her tits were just floating in her bra. I pulled my pants down and jumped on top of her running my tongue along her peaks.
But it all felt wrong. This wasn't turning me on. My cock was barely hard. What the fuck was going? I let go of her and stood up. “I'm sorry, Minnie. I can't do this.”
“What are you talking about, baby? You're locked and loaded.” Her hand reached down to my crotch and felt my now flaccid penis. She was shocked when she realized I didn't have an erection. She wasn't used to seeing that. Fuck, it never happened to me before.
“You can leave now,” I said in a defeated tone.
“Maybe if I just rev you up a little.” She began stroking me but it did nothing.
I pulled her hands away. “Just get out of here.”
Minnie rolled off the bed and grabbed her shirt. “I'm going to find a real man that can get it up.”
“Fuck you,” I yelled. I grabbed the closest thing—a shoe—and tossed it at the door, slamming it shut behind the whore. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't get Grace out of my skull. This never happened to me before. A light bulb flicked on in my head. It wasn't Grace...it was the painkillers. That's the reason I couldn't get hard.
I lay on the bed with the flannel sheets and rested against the pillow. I was going to have to quit the painkillers the next time I wanted to get my dick wet. I imagined Grace naked on top of me, riding my cock, rocking her hips back and forth. My cock grew erect. Dammit.
Chapter Eight
Grace
My nightmare of a shift was finally over and I got to relax at home. I was disappointed that I couldn't say goodbye to Tanner and thank him one last time. The ER was backed up and I couldn't tear myself away. I rushed over there as soon as I could but Nurse Fiona gave me the bad news that he was already gone. Maybe I'd see him again someday.
I walked down the hallway of my apartment complex and pulled out my keys. Flashes of my keys in the pharmacy flooded into me. My heart jumped out of my chest. I looked behind me expecting to find Dr. Green but nobody was there. Don't let it get to you, Grace.
Rachel was lounging on the couch when I entered. The living room was drenched in darkness and The Notebook was playing on the small TV. I threw my keys on the keyring next to the door. I didn't want to see those for awhile.
Rachel paused the movie and turned towards me. “How was your day?” Her glance turned to horror when she saw my face. “What happened to you?”
I didn't know that I was projecting the image of a victim. Rachel picked up on it immediately. “Nothing happened. Just a little run in with Dr. Green again.” How much should I tell her? I didn't want her to worry. It was already over.
Rachel sat me on the couch and handed me a glass of red wine. “Dish it, Sis. Tell me everything.”
“He cornered me and put his hands on me.” I could still smell his nasty cologne.
Rachel's fingernail's dug into my arm. “That fucker. I'm going to kill him
.” Rachel would do anything for me and that's why I loved her.
I put my hands up for her to stop. “I kneed him in the balls and a patient knocked him out before it could go any further. I doubt he's ever going to come my way again.”
“I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Grace.” Rachel loosened her grip on me and held my hand.
“I'm fine...really I am.” I took a much needed sip of wine. My head was already cloudy and the buzz came on instantly.
Rachel elbowed me in the side. “Tell me about this hero that rescued you. What's his name?”
“Tanner. He's just a guy. That's all.” He wasn't just a guy...he was my hero. I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't showed up to save me.
Rachel cocked her head. “Yeah right. Just a guy my ass.” She pointed at my cheeks. “I've never seen you blush before. Ever.” This must be some man to hold your attention.
Rachel knew way too much about me. I'd never really felt anything before for a man. But Tanner was different. I waved her away. “Enough about me. What did you do today? Find a job yet?” I couldn't think about Tanner anymore.
Rachel downed her glass and poured another. “Do you always have to bring that up. No I didn't find a job yet.”
I felt bad. Here she was helping me out and all I ever tried to do was lecture her. “I'm sorry, Rachel. I don't even really care if you get a job or not. I just like you being here. So what did you do today?”
“How about watching the Notebook five times in a row. That sounds really pathetic when you say it out loud.”
“If it's a man you're looking for you just need to put yourself out there. You won't find anyone sitting on the couch all day.” Maybe I should take my own advice? “I think you'd feel better if you found a job.”
“I've tried but nobody's hiring. I sent out twenty resumes yesterday and got nothing back.” Rachel fiddled with the TV remote.
“I can get you a desk job at the hospital.”
Rachel shrugged. “A desk job?”
“It won't pay much but it will get you out of the house.”
“Grace, I didn't drop out of college and make our parents disown me for just a desk job,” she said with a straight face.
I stared into her eyes, not blinking. Her smile cracked first and we both collapsed into a giggling mess. I always beat her. “There's some cute doctors that I could introduce you to.”
Rachel's ears perked up. “Tell me more, Grace, tell me more.”
I shoved her away. “Just play the movie again. I need to relax.”
Rachel poured me another glass of wine and started the movie again. Noah was in the middle of building the house for Allie and she hadn't seen him in years. This movie always brought me to tears. I hated the fact that they loved each other so much and if it wasn't for her bitch mother, they'd still be together. I guess love doesn't work the way you want it to.
I watched as the beautiful Ryan Gosling pounded nails into wood and all I could think about was Tanner. His shirtless chest, that spider tattoo, and his strong arms. If he could just hold me, I'd be happy forever. Damn he was so hot.
Before I knew it, the credits were rolling. I glanced over and Rachel was fast asleep against the arm of the couch, her hand gripping an empty wine glass. I draped a blanket over her, gently placed the wine glass on the coffee table, and kissed her on the forehead. I'd talk to my boss tomorrow and see if they could give her a job. It would do her some good to get out of the house for once.
I swayed back and forth as I walked to the bathroom. The wine was doing its job. I stared at myself in the mirror and my lips were stained purple from the alcohol. I removed my makeup and washed my face. I carried myself to my bed and lay down with my clothes still on. Tanner's name escaped my lips before I passed out in a drunken state.
Chapter Nine
Tanner
Days passed and my mind constantly went back and forth. Should I go see Grace or not. I'd never played this game before. No chick had ever drilled her way into my head like Grace did. Normally I fucked them once and never looked back. I didn't just want her once though. I wanted her over and over again. Explore every inch of that slender figure of hers.
The decision was already made for me. There was no way I could go another day without seeing her. I left the MC clubhouse against Claire's wishes. She thought I needed more rest before riding my motorcycle. I told her a man and his bike should never be parted. Claire didn't argue.
I approached my 2015 Harley Softail Slim with a smile. She was all black with “Hollywood” handlebars. She set me back ten grand but was worth every penny. One of the boys must have rode her here from the Stinky Goat—probably one of the prospects. He better not have damaged her. I quickly checked the paint for any chips or dings. It all looked good to me.
I swung my leg over and let my weight bring the bike down. I plugged my key in and hit the ignition. The familiar roar of the engine brought a grin to my face. I raced out of the line of parked motorcycles and hit the open road. I didn't even bother wearing my helmet. The wind blew through my shaved head as I weaved in and out of cars. Fuck safety...and the police.
I took my black Ray-Bans off when I reached the hospital. I parked in front and stared up at the giant skyscraper. The sudden realization that Grace was a doctor hit me. The women I'd normally been accustomed with were strippers, bartenders, and prostitutes. Grace was professional, intellectual, and way out of my league. No wonder she didn't want to go out with me. I played with the idea of leaving with my tail between my legs. But I was Tanner King. Member of the Black Widow MC. Chicks formed lines to suck me off.
Grace would be mine. Nothing would stop me.
The ER was dead as I strolled in, a lone nurse was standing behind the counter. She wore pink scrubs and was head-deep into some paperwork. “Hi there,” I said in a low voice, my charm literally oozing out of me.
The nurse looked up and flushed immediately. Her chest heaved up and down as she gazed at me behind her lashes. “What can I help you with?”
I played around with a pen on the counter, averting eye contact. “I'm looking for Doctor Holmes.” I glanced up at her. “Do you know where she is?”
The nurse gulped. “Umm, I believe she's taking a nap in room seven.”
The information was easy to obtain. Hopefully Grace wouldn't yell at her later. It's not her fault she was putty in my hands. “Thank you so much.” I dropped the pen on the counter and swaggered down the hallway.
Up ahead a familiar doctor walked down the hall. It was him—Doctor Blue or Green—I couldn't remember which. What was he still doing here? Why didn't Grace get him fired or arrested? He was different than before though. He kept his eyes trained to the floor with his shoulders slouched forward. My hands balled into fists and I thought about ending it all right here. One twist of his neck and the bastard would never be able to hurt Grace ever again. But by looking at him, I knew, this boy would never harm a living soul again. He was safe...for now.
As I walked by, the doctor raised his head and his eyes went wide as they met mine. I raised my fists and cracked my knuckles, winking at him. The doctor went flying down the hallway screaming incoherently. I chuckled to myself and continued down to room seven.
I opened the door to discover Grace laying peacefully on a hospital bed in a dark and empty room. I sat down in a chair and watched her sleep. Her full lips were parted just a little as she inhaled and exhaled. Her blonde hair was unbound and messy across the pillow. Grace's chest expanded and contracted with every breath. She looked so serene, like the incident with the doctor never happened.
“How long have you been there?” she asked, rubbing her tired eyes.
I leaned back in the chair. “Only a few moments. I didn't want to wake you.”
Grace sat up and yawned. “Don't you think this is a little creepy?”
Creepy? Maybe it was but I couldn't help myself, she looked so beautiful while she slept. “I didn't mean to alarm you.”
“No i
t's fine. The nurses jostle me awake for every small little thing. I might have a heart attack one day. So what are you doing here?”
That was a good question. Could I tell her that I couldn't stop thinking about her? No, that would be way too forward. Keep your cool, King.
“I just wanted to thank you for saving my life.”
She smiled. “You've already thanked me a million times. I was just doing my job. I should be the one doing the thanking. You saved me from that monster.”
I nodded. “I saw that doctor in the hallway. So he's still working here?”
Grace sighed and her eyes went dark. “I thought about filing a complaint or going to the police. But have you seen the guy? Taking away his career just feels wrong. Whatever you did to him worked like a charm. He's now a shell of a man.”
Havoc: A MC Romance Page 12