Brewer (Dead Souls MC Book 3)

by Savannah Rylan

  Her beautiful face came into focus and I saw the worry that blanketed her stare.

  “You’re okay,” she said breathlessly. “Just focus on me.”

  “Makenna,” I said.

  “I’m right here.”

  “What happened?” I asked.

  She brought her hand up and smoothed over my forehead as tears crested her eyes.

  “You were shot,” she said. “In your left shoulder. You lost a great deal of blood, Brewer.”

  “Where am I?”

  “Now, you’re in a hospital. Towards the back of one of the wings. But you were in an abandoned warehouse not two hours ago.”

  “So, we had to call our doctor,” I said.

  “Whatever that means, yes,” she said with a snicker. “He patched you up and got you stable there. Then, when you could be transported they brought you here. You’re hooked up to a great deal of pain medication, but I can tell by the look on your face it might not be working.”

  “Probably isn’t a good idea to move my shoulder. I’ll be fine.”

  “If you need more, I can talk to your nurse.”

  “Don’t leave,” I said.

  I reached up with my good arm to cup her cheek again. So, I could feel her soft skin against mine.

  “The facility in that abandoned place is pretty impressive,” she said with a giggle. “How clean the room was and the type of equipment the doctor had there to clean you up and get you stabilized. I was shocked when I walked in behind Diesel.”

  “The guys here?”

  “I told them to go get some coffee and food. The sun’s about to come up and they were all slumped over in chairs snoring into their chests.”

  “Pussies,” I said with a grin.

  She smiled at me, but a tear escaped her eye and dripped down her nose.

  “Don’t cry,” I said. “You’re the one that told me I was fine.”

  “But you weren’t,” she said as her voice hitched. “There for a while, it was touch and go.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When the guys carried you out of your house, you were completely gone. Out. Unconscious. And I insisted I come with you guys. I told them that I could drive your car while they rode their bikes so no one’s stuff had to be left behind. But when they initially got you on the table-”

  More tears streamed down her face and dripped onto my cheek.

  “Makenna, it’s okay,” I said.

  “That doctor had to revive you twice. A piece of the bullet chipped off and was coursing through your body. They had to chase it around for a while before they caught it.”

  The way her face scrunched up killed a part of me inside. So many things a woman like her should never have to experience because of my life. And it pained me inside that she had experienced all of it in such a short amount of time. I planted my good hand into the mattress and rose up, capturing those plump lips against mine. She drew in a sharp breath as my tongue swiped against her skin, begging for entrance so I could swallow her cries and turn them into moans.

  I smiled the second she parted her lips for me.

  When I kissed Makenna, all was right with the world. When I felt her against my body, everything settled into place. I wrapped my arm around her and brought her with me, lowering us both back to the hospital bed. She wiggled on top of my body. Steered clear of the tubes running around us as I parted my legs for her. She planted her hands next to my body and rose up, pressing her lips deeper into mine.

  I felt them swelling with the contact and it caused my cock to pulse.

  “I didn’t mean it,” she said with a whisper.

  I opened my eyes and watched her pull back to look into mine.

  “I know you didn’t,” I said.

  “You could never be a mistake, Brewer. And I never should’ve said it. I was angry and confused and hurt. I hate being lied to and I hate being kept in the dark. My ex did that shit all the time and I just-”

  “I love you.”

  Those three words stopped her in her tracks as a grin crawled across my face. It felt right. Good. Unrushed, despite the little time I had known her. I lifted my hand to smooth my thumb over her cheek, brushing away her tear trails and gathering her warmth on the tip of my finger. I tucked a strand of loose, wild hair behind her ear, my eyes dancing along her beautiful face.

  “What did you say?” Makenna asked.

  “I love you,” I said.

  “That’s what I thought,” she said with a whisper.

  “I know you didn’t mean it. I know I didn’t handle our evening together quite like I needed to. But, if it’s any consolation, I’m pretty sure this injury takes me out of the game plan anyway.”

  Her lips fell back to mine as my good arm encompassed her. If she wasn’t careful, I’d have to sin all over the hospital bed with her. My hand splayed along her lower back, pulling her body closer to mine as her tongue slid along the roof of my mouth. I parted my legs further to feel more of her. To get her as close as I could while surrounded by so much shit I wanted to shove out the door.

  “I love you too,” she whispered into my lips.

  My eyes flew open and I saw her staring back at me. I released her lips and watched a small smile trickle across her cheeks. Her forehead fell to mine as shock rolled through my system, and my heart lit up with so much joy I could hear my heart monitor pick up the pace.

  Faster.

  And faster.

  And faster.

  “If you aren’t careful, that nurse is going to barge in on us,” Makenna said with a grin.

  But I couldn’t help it.

  The woman I had fallen in love with loved me in return.

  “After all this?” I asked. “After all this, you love me?”

  “I know. Weird, huh?” she asked.

  “But Ana-”

  “The mere fact that you would bring her up tells me I’ve chosen the right man,” she said as she pressed her finger to my lips. “Your care for my daughter is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And she loves you, let’s face it. If she had the choice between me and you for the rest of her life, I’d be the dead one.”

  “Don’t you dare joke around like that,” I said.

  “All I’m saying is-”

  “You’ll always be protected so long as you’re with me. The both of you. Death is not coming for any of us if I have anything to do with it.”

  Her expression softened as my eyes danced between hers. The mere joking mention of something happening to Makenna boiled my blood. I wrapped my good arm around her as she sank her head to my neck, curling against me as we laid there in that slim hospital bed. I rubbed her back. I pressed kisses into her forehead. I felt her sigh against me as her lips turned to kiss my neck. How I had gotten so fucking lucky was beyond me, and I had every intention of doing whatever it took to keep them safe during this debacle with the crew.

  “I’m never leaving your side, Brewer.”

  Her voice was so sweet and laced with so much truth and dedication. I pulled her closer into me, closing my eyes so I could cherish the moment. I drew in a deep breath as my heart settled back out. Makenna’s body draped over mine as I held her tightly to my body. I wasn’t going to let her go. Not if I could help it. I knew she would have to leave in a few hours to pick up Ana from her sleepover, but until then I could lie there with her and take in every single moment I had with her.

  But I knew one thing was for certain. One thing above all else that rushed through the corners of my mind.

  Those fuckers were going to pay.

  Chapter 28

  Makenna

  “Maybe since we’re in a hospital, your little one will sense it and come on,” I said.

  “Trust me, I wish it worked that way,” Monroe said. “I’m ready to have this little man out of me.”

  “So, it’s a boy?” I asked.

  “Two boys,” Everly said. “Which is why, if you and Brewer work out, it’ll be nice to have a little girl in the mix.”


  “Stop pushing her, Everly,” Monroe said. “A lot has happened these past few days.”

  “What? I knew almost immediately with Grave, though I didn’t want to admit it to myself,” Everly said.

  “Don’t worry,” I said with a smile. “I think Ana and I will be sticking around for a little while.”

  “Good. Because we’re going to need some feminine energy in this group of testosterone-ridden flunkies.”

  “I heard that,” Knox said.

  “For you,” Rock said as he handed me a glass of water.

  “Thanks,” I said as I smiled up at him.

  “How’s he doing?” Diesel asked as he pointed to Brewer’s room.

  “Out like a light with the drugs right now,” I said.

  “The nurse had to check on them twice because his heart monitor kept going off the rails,” Everly said with a grin.

  “Woman. We just got him patched up a few days ago. Why are you trying to kill him?” Grave asked.

  “Because I love him too much,” I said. “I can’t help it if I want to kiss on him a bit.”

  The guys all looked around before smiles trickled across their faces. And I thought Everly and Monroe would never stop giggling about it. Brewer was healing quickly. Though he still had a lot of pain medication running through his system, he was doing a lot better. The bullet in his shoulder went through and through, and now that he had been stable for a few days he seemed to be getting a lot stronger.

  And while he was in surgery in the abandoned warehouse, I got to know the guys a little better.

  “How are you doing?” Diesel asked as he sat next to me.

  “I’m doing better,” I said. “Now that we’re out of the woods of the first three days, I’m a little more settled in his strength.”

  “No one can fucking take Brewer down,” Rock said. “That’s the first mistake those assholes made.”

  “Should we do something about his house?” I asked.

  “Already taken care of,” Mick said.

  “Well look who finally decided to show up,” Monroe said with a smile. “How are things on your end Mick?”

  “Good,” he said as he bent down and hugged her. “Mom’s better and my sister’s stable. How are you doing, though? You look like you’re ready to grab the scalpel yourself.”

  “Don’t tempt me. These rolling silver trays are looking might tempting,” Monroe said.

  “You get your mother situated, Mick?” Diesel asked.

  “I did, but it’s still touch and go. My sister was a mess when she came home and found her gone. But I tracked her down,” Mick said. “Though there’s an unfamiliar face here I have yet to meet.”

  “I could say the same thing,” I said. “I’m Makenna. Brewer’s neighbor.”

  “Oh, you’re much more than that,” Everly said as she rubbed her stomach.

  “Then it seems like our family’s gotten bigger. I’m sorry I’m the last to meet you,” Mick said as he nodded towards me. “Had a family emergency that took me out of town.”

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  “For now,” Mick said as he sat down. “My mother’s in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and my sister refuses to put her in a care facility. She came home from work and Mom had just disappeared.”

  “Oh my gosh. Is she all right?” I asked.

  “Yeah. That’s the second time that’s happened this year,” Knox said. “You sure you can’t step in on your mother’s behalf and do something?”

  “I feel like shit that I wasn’t here,” Mick said. “How’s Brewer holding up? I came as soon as I checked my phone.”

  “He’s good now,” Rock said. “It was touch and go there for a while, like I told you on your voice messages. But now he’s drugged and sleeping it off.”

  “Through and through?” Mick asked.

  “Yep,” I said. “He’s resting now, but I’m sure when he’s awake you could go in and see him.”

  “I appreciate that. And as for your question about his house, I’ve already got it taken care of. I went by a couple of days ago and stayed in his place to clean it up. Got the windows replaced. The carpets cleaned. I replaced the parts of the carpet that couldn’t be cleaned. Also fixed that damn door of his. They really did a number on that thing.”

  “Did you take a look at his sliding porch door?” Grave asked. “I think I knocked it off its track coming in from the back.”

  “You did a lot more than that,” Mick said with a chuckle. “But I got it fixed.”

  “Mick runs our books for us, but he’s a hell of a fix-it man, too,” Diesel said. “This man can fix anything that’s broken. Though he can’t shoot a gun to save his damn life.”

  “So, it was probably a good thing you weren’t there then,” I said with a grin.

  Everyone around me chuckled as I took a sip of my coffee. I felt a real connection with the people around me. And I had to admit, it took me setting aside my prejudices to experience it. But the girls were fantastic and blooming with life in their bodies, reminding me of my own pregnancy with Ana. And the guys were undeniably supportive. I sat within the ranks of a true, bonafide family. As makeshift as it was and as backwards as they came, they all had love for one another.

  And the fact that they considered me one of them made me excited to introduce my daughter.

  “So, where’s the little one?” Diesel asked.

  “Right now? School. I’ve taken some time off work to help Brewer with his condition, but Ana still has school to attend.”

  “Well if you need one of us to go get her or anything, let us know,” Knox said.

  “I really appreciate that, thank you,” I said with a smile.

  “How old is she again?” Rock asked.

  “Five. And as sassy as they come some days,” I said.

  “So, she’s Brewer’s type as well,” Rock said. “Looks like he found himself two perfect little ladies for his life.”

  “You got anyone special?” I asked.

  “Hell no. I like my women like my coffee. Bold, fast, and loose.”

  “How can coffee be loose?” I asked.

  “You’ve never seen Rock drink coffee,” Grave said. “It’s like he’s got a damn hole in his face.”

  I put my hand over my mouth to keep myself from spewing my drink everywhere.

  “Rock likes his women a little on the trashier side,” Diesel said. “Not too trashy, but enough to make him feel less like shit for not getting attached.”

  “Hey, I don’t judge. I’m not a relationship expert by any means. But as long as they know where you stand before they, you know, do their thing with you? Go for it,” I said.

  “I like her. Can I have her?” Rock asked.

  “Sorry. Already spoken for,” I said as I sipped my coffee.

  A groan hit my ears and my head immediately whipped over to Brewer’s room. I saw him moving around in his bed and I stood to my feet. I left everyone in the waiting room as I strode in, trying to get to his side before he opened his eyes.

  I didn’t want there to be a single second where he was alone in this place.

  “Hey there, sleepyhead,” I said as I sat down on the edge of his bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired,” Brewer said. “What the fuck is up with always being tired?”

  “You were shot. You’re drugged. It happens,” I said.

  “How’s Ana doing?”

  “She’s at school. She’s asking about you a lot. I told her you weren’t feeling well and that doctors were helping you get better. Then, she could see you.”

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing her now,” he said.

  “Then maybe I can bring her by once I pick her up from school. But I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

  “That little girl is the best kind of overwhelming there is.”

  I smiled down at him as I brought a cup of water to his lips. He rose up before taking the cup in his hand and tossing it back. He really was getting stronger. The initial pain of h
is wound was dying off and he was beginning to look and feel like his old self again.

  But there were still a lot of unanswered questions.

  “I never wanted to involve you in all this, you know,” he said as he set his glass down. “I’m sorry you’re involved now.”

  “Please don’t be. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now,” I said. “When I saw you hurt, Brewer. It-”

  I laced my fingers with his good hand before bringing his knuckles to my lips to kiss.

  “When those men busted in your door, I panicked. So many things ran through my mind, but the one thing I kept returning to was how my last words to you were the fact that you were a mistake. And then I recalled the name of your mechanic shop and called in a Hail Mary attempt to get someone to come help you because I knew I couldn’t. And I wished I could have, Brewer. I would’ve run over there in a heartbeat if I knew there was something I could’ve done.”

  “I would not have wanted you to do that, Makenna. Do you hear me? They would’ve hurt you. Killed you, even.”

  “But when you came out of that house in those guy’s arms, this horrible pain filled my chest.”

  I brought his hand to my heart and held it there as I caught my breath. The memories assaulted me. The emotions and the fear were still fresh in the forefront of my mind. His hand gripped my shirt and tugged me towards him and I fell into his body. Into his strength. Into his embrace. He kissed my head over and over again, smoothing his broad hand up and down my back.

  “I knew then and there how much I loved you,” I said. “And I kept telling myself that if you made it out of this alive, I would do anything in my power to make things work with you. If you wanted me.”

  “You have no idea how much I want you, Makenna.”

  “Whatever we have to do to figure this out, we will,” I said as I rose up. “Whatever you feel you have to do in order to keep my daughter and I safe, I’ll abide by. Because I love you, Brewer. And I figured out three days ago that losing you isn’t an option.”