“My father? What the fuck you mean? I don’t ever want to see that motherfucker again.”
“Liar! If it doesn’t work out with Outlaw, you’ll get back into your father’s good graces by delivering me and Little Man to him.”
“You think I’d fucking do that after all the fucking trouble I went through to save you?”
Did she really think so? Or was she overcome with worry for Gabe’s safety, she’d blurted that? But she couldn’t back down. From the beginning of their relationship, she’d given Trader all the power and control. “Why else would you keep us? Sending CJ back would get you in Outlaw’s good graces quicker than keeping him. You have me and Little Man captive to deliver to your father,” she insisted.
“That’s not fucking true!” he snapped, backing away from her and lighting a cigarette. “What’s the matter with your dumb ass? I could’ve given you over to him the night he was at Logan’s fucking house.”
“Yes,” she agreed, concern overriding common sense. “You didn’t then.”
“Sharper don’t give second chances. Even if I wanted one, which I don’t. Point is I’m out with him and I’m out with Prez. Unless I can reason with Outlaw.”
“Outlaw can be reasonable, so please.” She raised her hands, imploring him. “Let’s find a phone so I can call Outlaw. Please. You’re right. He’ll kill Gabe and we really do need to get CJ medical help.”
As if to emphasize her point, another coughing fit overtook the child.
Regret blanketed Digger’s face and he hesitated, his indecision clear. “I believe you want to do what’s right. You must be tired of risking the lives of innocent people. Hasn’t that gotten a little old by now? You know CJ must go back and—“
“Comments like that not getting you your way.”
He was right, but she’d thought if the obvious was pointed out, she’d get through to him. A shake of his head smashed her hopes of gaining this small favor from him. “I got a burner now, but I’m not trusting Outlaw not to have a way to track the number if I use it to call him.”
“All you have to do is toss it. That’s what burners are for. Unless…”
“Unless I’m planning on getting back with Sharper, right? Obviously, your ass not been listening. Maybe, you’ll understand my explanation this time. My father the last motherfucker I want to find you or the kid,” he whispered, a desperate hurt entering his eyes. “Motherfucker killed Tyler, Bunny. I saw him. He stood over a kid and pumped him with bullets. That’s not an image I’ll ever forget.”
“Oh my God,” she gasped, her hands covering her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t know.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s done.” His callous brushoff contrasted his lingering devastation. He pulled at his dreads, then shook his head. “Now, you wanna tell me what the fuck happened to you that had your pussy bleeding and you feverish? Not normal bitch bleeding either.”
Suddenly, it was too much. All of it. Even imagining Tyler’s violent death. She’d never met him, but she knew all about him. What was Mortician going through? Sharper Banks had caused so much horror. The emotional toll his vileness had taken might be unrecoverable. The things those big, strong men valued the most—family, brotherhood, freedom—had been eroded. She hurt for Digger and wanted to comfort him, but she didn’t know how. What could she say? Do? Then there was her brother. Imagining the torture Gabe would go through at the hands of Outlaw made Digger’s words fly over her head. She sniffled.
“Fuck in hell, Dig,” Little Man yelled, catching both of them off-guard. “Ash fuck, made Bun-Bun cry! I tell ‘Law and MegAnn.”
His small motorcycle-boot clad feet connected with Digger’s shin.
“FUCK!” Digger roared, howling with pain and bending down.
Little Man barreled into Digger and toppled him. “Ash fuck,” he yelled again, springing onto his chest and sinking his teeth into Digger’s chin before balling a little fist and slamming it into the man’s jaw.
Bunny rushed forward as Digger grabbed the child’s arms. She attempted to take him, but Digger got to his feet and kept Little Man pinioned to him.
“Fucka mudna!” The little boy struggled in Digger’s arms, which in turn made Digger struggle to keep hold of him.
Anger tightened Digger’s jaw. “If you don’t stop, I’m gonna beat your little ass.”
“’Law beat you back!”
“Enough!” Bunny said sternly, hard pressed to stifle her laughter and unsure if Digger would lose his patience and truly hurt Little Man. “Let him go, Digger. He’s just a scared little boy. And you, mister, stop hitting and cursing. Meggie doesn’t approve and neither do I.”
“’Law does,” he responded as if that was the end of the story.
Well, that explained why Meggie hadn’t been able to curtail Little Man’s cursing. Of course, Outlaw appreciated his son’s foul language.
Digger snickered and Bunny widened her eyes.
“You find this funny, too?” she asked in outrage.
“Fuck yeah. This is what being a man all about.”
“Asshole.”
He smirked at her, then addressed Little Man, who’d given up his fighting for coughing. “I didn’t mean to make Bunny cry,” he said when the child quieted. “Won’t ever do it again around you. Behave when I set you down. Deal?”
Little Man considered Digger’s statement for a moment, then nodded. He sat him on his feet and the three of them stared at each other, not sure what to do next. Until Bunny’s stomach growled again.
“Shit, man,” Digger said. He pointed to some bags. “I got you some stuff. If you want, take a shower while I scramble up something for you to eat.”
“How long are we staying here?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow for a while. Get some information on where Sharper at now that you’re awake.”
“Is your burner phone new?”
He nodded. “Gabe asked me to take it in case you got too bad off and I needed to call for help.”
Her brother’s thoughtfulness renewed her determination. “Outlaw can’t track you if he doesn’t have any information about your phone. Even if you won’t agree to returning Little Man, let me call Gabe. Please. I’ll be quick.”
“Suppose he have a way? I don’t put nothing past him. If he find me here, I’m cornered. I won’t ever have a chance to explain my side.”
“That’s the entire point of keeping us, right? If Outlaw tracks you, you can bargain our lives for yours and a chance to clear the air.”
Not responding, he glanced away.
“Do you even know why you refuse to let us go? You don’t, do you? This is just another impulsive decision that has no real rhyme or reason. Isn’t it?”
“I don’t have to fucking answer you,” he yelled. “I’m running this show. Not you. That mean no matter what my fucking reason, I don’t owe you nothing.”
She drew herself up. He was right. She’d allowed herself to forget—ignore—her precarious position in this situation.
Little Man coughed again. Bunny knew her brother might be a lost cause but if she didn’t press on behalf of Meggie’s son, his cold would worsen.
Grasping at straws, Bunny thought of her parents. She hadn’t spoken to them in almost three years and wasn’t sure of her reception. But, maybe, she could convince them to let her visit without letting them know Digger and Little Man would tag along with her. Granted, Digger was a biker just like Trader, the man who’d caused the final rift with her mom and dad. She was desperate, though, and if they allowed her to come, half her battle would be won. Even if Digger didn’t win points with them, Little Man would. And for all his assholeness, Digger had more redeeming qualities than Trader ever had. More important, she could get CJ to a hospital.
“If my parents agree to let us stay with them for a couple of days, will you let me call Outlaw? I promise I’ll tell him you’re protecting us.”
Backing away, he didn’t answer and Bunny’s heart sank. Then, h
e stopped and heaved in a deep breath.
“Let me cook something for you while I think about your request.”
His consideration was all she asked for and, really, more than she’d expected.
“Megan?” Still afraid his eyes fucking deceived him, Christopher rushed to Megan’s bedside and blinked, expecting to find her still unconscious. But, nope. His wife’s big, blue eyes had remained opened and glued to his every movement. They were hazy and fucked up with the effects of all she’d gone through in the past three days.
They stared at each other and his breath came out in short pants, relief replacing his fear and turmoil, until he saw how fragile she seemed, which brought back his uncertainty.
She studied him a moment longer, then removed the oxygen tubes from her nostrils. He didn’t try to stop her. She was fucking awake.
She groaned and held out her hand to him, and he finally, finally gave in to what he wanted most in the world. Her touch. Grabbing her hand, he bent down and pressed her fingers against his cheek.
“Hey,” she whispered groggily, blinking at him.
Not knowing what the fuck else to do, he laughed, then leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Hey, baby.”
She attempted a smile but grimaced instead.
“Fuck, Megan,” Christopher said gruffly, kissing each of her fingertips. She’d come back to him. The fear of losing her and the agony he’d gone through released him. He could breathe again. Think again.
“What happened?”
Drugs fogged her head so she wouldn’t remember right off the fucking fly. Right now, he wouldn’t clue her the fuck in on all the details. That might jar her memory too fucking much and she’d start asking about their boy. “I swear, the minute you fuckin’ heal up and I kill Sharper by di-fuckin-section, I’m fuckin’ turnin’ in my patch,” he began, not surprised when more confusion clouded the fuck out of her gaze. “I ain’t ever fuckin’ riskin’ you a-fuckin-gain. I’m so fuckin’ tired of fuckin’ hospitals. I can’t even fuckin’ tell you. In the past three years, I been in these motherfuckers more than my ass ever been in my entire fuckin’ life. My ass fuckin’ out.”
She frowned at him, as if she didn’t understand any of his fucking words. Maybe, she didn’t. His fucking mouth was running a mile a fucking minute.
He threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her lips, finding them dry and warm, but she formed a small pucker and sweetly returned his kiss. Now that he’d touched her, felt her mouth moving against his, he wanted to keep kissing her and not because he wanted pussy from her. He was just so fucking happy she was such a fighter. “I’m leavin’ the club, baby.” He spoke the words like he would a fucking blood vow. “I ain’t ever riskin’ you a-fuckin-gain.”
If she’d missed the announcement when he’d been fucking running off at the mouth, she understood him now and shook her head. “N-no, you can’t leave.”
“I fuckin’ can and I fuckin’ will, Megan. My ass your fuckin’ husband. I can’t fuckin’ be both and do them right, baby. Case fuckin’ closed.”
Her eyes narrowed and she cocked her head to the side, but when her expression changed from irritation to worry, Christopher tensed. already sensing her thoughts as her gaze searched the room. Their kids. What the fuck had redirected her thoughts, he didn’t fucking know.
“CJ, Rule, and Rebel?” she murmured, confirming his suspicions.
All at once, their son’s kidnapping crashed into him. What everybody had been trying to get through to him hit him head on. Megan would lose her shit if she knew CJ was missing. He couldn’t let that happen.
He forced a smile. “Fine, baby,” he swore with a straight face. Rule and Rebel were okay. He’d tell Megan the truth about CJ soon, but he didn’t want to alarm her right now. Hopefully, by the time she grew stronger, CJ would be back with them safe and sound. “I love you.”
She squeezed his hand and attempted a smile of reassurance. “I love you too, Christopher.”
“Lemme call the nurse. You in pain?”
She nodded.
It didn’t take long for Megan’s nurse to come in, identified by her name tag as Lea. If not for it, he’d be fucking clueless from one day to the next. “Welcome back to the world, Mrs. Caldwell,” she said with a friendly smile, offering Christopher my-pussy-yours-if-you-want-it looks. In her mid to late twenties, the attractive bitch had smooth olive skin and a ripe body. Since the shooting, she’d been taking care of Megan during the day, but Christopher couldn’t fucking remember if she’d offered him pussy before now.
He hadn’t noticed and he didn’t fucking care what she wanted to give him. As long as she fucking took care of Megan, he was fucking happy.
After checking Megan’s vital signs and administering a shot for pain, Lea left to call the doctor.
“You look so tired,” Megan observed, squeezing his fingers. “Go and rest.”
“I just need to fuckin’ shave…” His voice trailed off as her eyes drooped and she nodded off to sleep. He stilled, checking the rise and fall of her chest, her vital signs, her color.
Well, if he judged by her pale fucking skin, he’d be a scared motherfucker all fucking over again. As far as he could tell, she’d just fallen the fuck back to sleep and he wouldn’t wake her up like a pussified bitch-ass.
He sat back in the chair and stared at her, afraid if he took his gaze away, he’d discover she still hadn’t awakened after her surgery. Maybe, she’d open her eyes again after a few minutes, then Christopher would know she was still with him.
“Dr. Paxton will check on Mrs. Caldwell tomorrow morning, during his regular rounds.”
Lea’s voice broke into Christopher’s concern. As her words sank in, he got to his feet. “No the fuck he ain’t,” he snapped. “Call him the fuck back and tell him my fuckin’ club donate a lot to this motherfucker. If his ass ain’t fuckin’ here in two hours to check my wife, either that motherfucker ain’t gonna be on the payroll after today or my club pullin’ fuckin’ support.”
The nurse’s surprise changed to wistfulness. “Where can I find a man as devoted as you are to Mrs. Caldwell?”
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, when the fuck did he become a fucking magnet for psycho bitches? He scowled at her. “Don’t know. Don’t fuckin’ give a fuck. Don’t fuck with me a-fuckin-gain cuz this as un-fuckin-professional as it fuckin’ get. My fuckin’ priority is my fuckin’ girl. She just opened her fuckin’ eyes, then she went back to fuckin’ sleep a-fuckin-gain. I don’t fuckin’ know if she sleepin’ fuckin normal or—”
“She is,” Lea interrupted. “She’s in pain, so I gave her something for it.”
He clenched his jaw, not wanting to admit to his sudden relief. When she’d closed her eyes, his fucking fear had come back.
“I’ll call the doctor again and relay your message, sir.”
“Fucking do that.”
It didn’t take long for her to return and tell him Dr. Paxton would come within the hour to check Megan out. He needed a fucking smoke so fucking bad, but before he went outside to take one, he decided to go to Johnnie’s bitch’s room.
All along the IC unit brothers stood watch, assisting the hospital security. News had traveled fast through the fucking television, radio, and newspapers. Derby and Boy had also sent brothers from their clubs in support and as a sign of respect and solidarity.
Since Val’s door stood open, Christopher peeped in and found his RC scowling at the TV, pressing the nurse’s call button.
“Yo, dumb ass, settle the fuck down. You ain’t leavin’ today.”
Val startled as an irritated nurse’s voice blared into the room. “Yes, Mr. Taylor?”
“Er, never mind, babe,” he muttered, throwing Christopher a guilty look.
The nurse huffed out a breath. “Fine!” she grated out before she disengaged and the room went silent again.
“Zoann left me to see about the kids,” Val began before his eyes widened. “Wait…you look human again so that mean Meggie still b
reathing?"
“I decided you some kinda perverted motherfucker and get the fuck off on me kickin’ your dumb fuckin’ ass. So I suggest you shut the fuck up. And, yeah, my girl opened her eyes.” As the minutes ticked by since Megan opened her fucking eyes, he felt more and more like himself. Needing to see Johnnie, he backed away from the door. “Keep the fuck quiet ‘bout leavin’ for today. I’ll spring you tomorrow.”
Not waiting for Val’s answer, Christopher headed out, slowing at the room where Bailey lay, before continuing on. He’d sit with Mort after Megan’s doctor came and went.
A minute later, Christopher reached Kendall’s room, finding her door wide open and hearing the faint sound of opera music drifting out. Fucking opera. What the fuck was wrong with that bitch? Poor fucking Johnnie, but if that’s the cunt he wanted, let him fucking have her and her fucking ear-drum-fucking-up music, too.
He’d hated Madama Butterfly when Big Joe had dragged his fucking ass to a fucking opera in London and it hadn’t fucking changed in all these fucking years. If anything, his ears hurt fucking worse at hearing that shit.
“This is your chance, Johnnie. Let the asshole leave. You’ll be the president and I’ll be the old lady everyone looks up to.”
Christopher gritted his teeth. The music had halted him, now what he heard kept him in place.
Johnnie sighed. “I thought we were past this competitiveness, gorgeous.”
“We are. But why are you the vice president if you aren’t prepared to take over for Outlaw?”
“It doesn’t work that way, Kendall.”
“Don’t hand me that bullshit. It does! That’s why there are officers in place.”
“I’d become interim president until the brothers could vote on it. There’s no guarantee they’d even approve me.”
“Same if he resigns?”
Yeah, psycho fucking bitch.
“Yeah, gorgeous.”
Christopher liked his response better.
“Suppose he’d been killed?”
That cunt would’ve danced on his fucking grave.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 246