55. Chapter 55
It’s been a week since Patch and the rest of the club, uh, ‘talked’ to some of the guys that attacked us on Sunday and I’m nervously buckling my seatbelt in Luke’s new truck for my first trip outside of the club compound since the attack. To say my nerves are frazzled is an understatement.
Patch closes my door once I’m situated and rounds the front of the truck before climbing in behind the steering wheel. Our eyes lock for a few seconds and after starting the truck, he reaches over, squeezing my hand in his.
“We’ll be okay, Mary. Worst-case scenario, we’re drawing them out and we have more than enough guys to help deal with them.”
Taking a deep breath, I nod silently. The Junction Creek guys headed home on Monday after the attack. Then on Tuesday when Mae had come over to visit us, Mama Astrid had video called her and I got to ‘meet’ her for the first time. She’s a hoot of a woman and I honestly can’t wait to get in a kitchen with her, but what was surprising is that she asked how my arm and leg where healing.
“That’s wonderful, dear! My Mae has been telling me so much about you and I can’t wait to pick your brains about some recipes. I’ve always loved trying new things, and I’m sure the boys could use a bit of a mix-up around here. However, that isn’t why I was calling. How are you feeling, dear? Mae and some of my boys told me that there was an attack on Sunday. Your arm and leg weren’t re-injured, were they?”
I cock an eyebrow at Mae, and a sheepish look crosses her face, but I smile and shake it off, not really caring that she told her about my injuries since she’s part of the club.
“My shoulder got a little wrenched again when they tried to kidnap me, but Doc looked at it and doesn’t think it will set me back any and as for my leg, I think I must have knocked it a couple of times but after taking some meds that night, the excess pain went away. Again, since it didn’t hurt worse after the meds were out of my system, Doc and Patch figured I was most likely fine.”
“When do you get your cast off?”
“January 4 th , I go in for my six-week check-up. They’ll cut it off and x-ray it. If it needs more time, then I’ll get another cast. I hope that I can actually get it off then. I’m sick of this itchy cast!”
She laughs and nods knowingly. “That’s fantastic news, and yes, they really are itchy things. Hopefully, that wonker didn’t mess your leg up too badly and that you won’t need it to be re-cast.”
Laughing, I shake my head at her.
“So other than Sunday’s misfortune, how have you been holding up, dear? Is my boy, Patch, treating you right?”
A chuckle escapes me at that. “Yes, Mama Astrid, he’s treating me right. Things have been pretty good other than what happened on Sunday. This next Monday, the eleventh, I have to go into the doctor’s office for a check-up on my arm. It was a previously set up appointment and nothing to do with Sunday,” I quickly reassure her when I hear a concerned noise come over the line. “In all honesty, I’m a little nervous about going out after what happened, but I know it can’t be avoided. I don’t want anyone else getting injured further, so yeah, I’m pretty nervous.”
Pausing, I take a breath and when Mae reaches over and squeezes my hand; I squeeze right back and try to push down my nerves as much as possible. “Aside from that, we’re all moved into the condo that the club is letting us use and the rest of my dad’s belongings are in a storage unit here, since the house is now on the market. I took some pictures of the items we’re not going to use, and my grandparents are asking the family if they want or need any of it. If not, then I’ll let the club use the items in the other condos. They’ve helped us out so much that I’d like to pay it back some.”
Her warm chuckle that comes through the line wraps around me like a balm. Mae had told me before that Mama Astrid has always been like a second mother to the club members. Is this what having a mother is like? A real mother? Someone who checks in to see how you are? Someone who worries about you and wants you to get better when you’ve been injured? In all actuality, I’m a little shocked that this is surprising me and affecting me so much. I mean, I knew Eileen had a change of heart about me around the time I turned four or so when she started treating me like shit and more like a thorn in her side. I had always imagined that a real mother’s love would be similar to how γιαγι? (grandma) always treated me, but to experience it is another thing. And I haven’t even met her in person yet!
“That’s good, and I’m glad you’re all settled in. I’ve been telling those boys they needed something like our setup of apartments for years, and I’m happy that they’re finally listening and built those condos. Have you and Patch decided if you are you going to build a house on the compound next spring?”
My cheeks heat as I bite my lip and I hope that this mess with Stephan will be cleared up before then.
“Yeah, we’re planning to. We actually fell in love with the spot right on the other side of Mae’s house, which the kids love that we’ll be next door to them.”
I bite my lip again as I remember exactly how excited they all were after Patch and I had looked around the property before deciding. However, in all honesty, the site is absolutely perfect for us.
The forest butts up to the back of the property and there’s a river that is a bit further into the forest that Patch said they fish from occasionally. There’s a spacious area for a backyard which has a few mature trees that the boys are already asking if they can build a treehouse in.
Mama Astrid’s voice brings me out of my thoughts and I shake my head slightly to clear it.
“I bet the kids are going to love being so close to Mae and Timber. I had a video call with Mae the weekend you were in the hospital, not knowing that was the case of course, and I was surprised when I heard your kids’ voices in the background. They had never video chatted with anyone before and were shocked it was possible. Your kids are absolutely adorable and I can’t wait to meet them in person! You can bet your patootie that I’ll be there the next time the club comes down.”
We all laugh and I couldn’t help my smile widening at hearing her cursing like Mae does. I guess Mae’s habits are rubbing off on a lot of the ladies in the club.
“You okay, Siren?”
I shake my head slightly to clear my thoughts. “Sorry, was just lost in thought. I was thinking about the phone call with Mama Astrid a couple of days ago.”
Apparently, my worries spurred Mama Astrid, her husband Odin, Reaper, and six other members of the Junction Creek club into coming down yesterday afternoon. They were planning on coming over on this upcoming Friday, but when they learned about my appointment, they came down sooner to help provide extra manpower. They’ll be here for a couple of weeks, but I did overhear that the guys will cycle through because of their businesses back home.
I inhale sharply as we leave the compound and head down the road, nerves instantly bombarding me at facing the spot that could have very well taken our lives a few days ago.
But this time, we’ve got an even bigger army at our backs, which helps ease some of my worries. Besides two other trucks, which also hold more club members, there are eight bikes in front of and behind us. We look like a caravan even though it’s the middle of December. Granted, we’ve had very little snow so far this year, which is rather uncommon, but the guys can still ride since there isn’t a layer of salt lining the roads yet.
However, the large number of our group is also part of a two-sided point that the club is trying to make. One, that the club is committed to protecting us, and two, they are hoping to either draw out or anger Stephan and the others. God, I hope we can find those assholes soon! I’m tired of all this worry and stress. I just want to get on with our lives and move forward.
Patch huffs and shakes his head, but his smile gives him away. “Mama Astrid is a force to be reckoned with. I’m glad you two get along so well.”
He lifts my hand, pressing kisses to my knuckles, and I squeeze my legs together. This is not the time to be feeling horny. Of course, the ever-observant nurse doesn’t miss a thing. I don’t know if it’s because of all of our time apart, but ever since we crossed the line and finally had sex, I’ve been needing him a lot since then. It’s not uncommon for us to sneak off a couple of times a day, especially with him still being off on vacation. He has four more days left, but I’m worried his wounds won’t fully lose before then, but time will tell.
“Is my Siren feeling a little neglected? Are you feeling a little needy?” His deep, smooth voice sends a shiver down my spine that also has goosebumps rising on my skin.
Taking a deep breath, I exhale heavily. “While I normally love it when you get like this, please don’t get me all wired before we head into the doctor’s office. You know I’m not patient and don’t like waiting,” I practically beg.
He hums and lifts my hand again to his lips. A moan escapes when he runs his tongue seductively along my fingers, almost like he’s picturing them as my lower lips.
“I wasn’t able to have my favorite breakfast this morning, so I’m feeling a little needy myself. I’ll have to make sure to steal you away this afternoon to get my fix.”
We were interrupted by the kids this morning and had to quickly get ready instead of having sexy times. My cheeks heat even more as he winks at me and lowers my hand.
Holy fudgenuggets, this man is going to be the death of me. But, oh, what a way to go.
Shakily, I take a few breaths, trying to calm myself down. Thankfully, by the time we reach the doctor’s office ten minutes later, I feel like I’ve mostly got myself back under control.
Undoing my seatbelt, I wait for Patch to get my wheelchair out of the back of the truck. After last weekend, we decided I’d just use the regular wheelchair today in case Stephan or my so-called family decided to try anything. I don’t want to have to replace another electric wheelchair if I don’t have to.
After a few moments, he opens the door and lifts me out before stepping back slightly so Odin has room to close the door and then Patch walks the few steps to the sidewalk and sets me down in the chair. The guys surround me as we walk less than a block down the street to the doctor’s office. Peering over my shoulder, I note that a couple of guys are now sitting in Patch’s truck, most likely to keep an eye on it while we’re inside. I go to face forward when another roar of a bike comes down the street and parks on the other side of the street, opposite of Patch’s truck.
Frowning, I wonder what he’s doing but when he gets off his bike, leans against it so that he’s facing the truck, and pulls out his phone, my jaw drops in surprise when I realize he’s keeping watch from behind, to make sure no one messes with anything on the back end of the truck. He sees me looking at him and gives me a slight tilt of his head in acknowledgement before looking back at the truck and then down at his phone. My chest warms once again at the show of support the club has for us. At the same time, something cements in my heart and mind.
I’m finally where I’m supposed to be.
With Patch.
With the club.
A renewed sense of determination flows throughout me. I’ll do whatever I need to do in order to help the club bring down Stephan and the rogue members of my family.
I’m brought out of my thoughts when I’m turned and realize that we’re at the doctor’s office. Patch wheels me inside and up to the check-in desk.
The lady, whose nametag reads Lana, looks up as we approach and frowns when she sees the guys all at my back.
“I’m sorry, but there is no loitering in here. This is a doctor’s office. If you don’t have an appointment, then you’ll need to leave,” she tells us as she looks down her nose at us.
Thor walks up and braces his hands on either side of the counter in front of her. Not in a threatening manner, but definitely intimidating as he hovers over her.
“Well, then maybe you should have a chat with your boss, Dr. McGregor, Lana. You’ll find that we are, in fact, allowed to be here for Miss Catarino today.”
Lana huffs, still trying to look down her nose at us before turning to me, addressing me coldly. “Name?”
“Mary Catarino.”
“Have one of your goons wheel you over to a corner so you’re out of the way.” She says as she waves in a shooing motion like I’m a nuisance before pausing, and then she turns back to Thor. “And make sure that the rest of you don’t bother the other patients with your hooligan ways. We are professionals here, and we won’t tolerate any unholy shenanigans of yours.”
Scoffing, I turn my chair, about to purposefully not wait in a corner when I swear I can hear Lana mumbling under her breath that McGregor never should have been the one in charge of the practice, which has me frowning. What does she mean by that?
Turning fully, I look closer at the layout of the waiting area. The room is set up with chairs along three walls and then some more chairs down the middle of them but on the opposite side of the room from Lana, there is a space to walk between the two halves of the room. Instead of going to a corner, which really would have put me in front of the coat rack area since it’s the only available corner—the rest all have end tables or the entrance in them, I head toward the end of the room and park my chair at the end of the middle row of chairs. Once again Lana scoffs at me, to which I politely smile in return before turning to find Smoke while, at the same time, pulling my phone out of my purse. Spotting him, I’m grateful he turns toward me at that same moment, and I slightly wiggle my phone. He gives me a barely there chin lift and pulls out his own phone. Opening my chats, I create one with him and Patch just so he knows my concerns as well.
Mary: Do either of you know if there is any back history or bad blood between Lana’s family and Dr. McGregor?
Smoke: What makes you ask? Did she say something?
Mary: As I was turning away, I heard her muttering that McGregor should never have been the one in charge of the practice.
Patch: I heard my dad talking about them not too long ago. Dr. Paul Olsen was Lana’s grandfather and used to run this practice. He also had his son, Julian, and Mark McGregor working with him, but ultimately, it was Paul’s practice.
Patch: Julian is a shit doctor, always doing the bare minimum. Also, there are rumors where he brushes off his patients’ concerns or symptoms, especially if the patient is a woman. Dad thinks those reasons and rumors are why Paul decided to leave the practice to Mark instead of his own son. Mark has been my doctor for years, which was why I suggested him for you, Mary. However, I hadn’t known how bad the blood was between Mark and Julian. Lana’s never said anything or acted like this in the past. I don’t know if anything new has happened between their dynamic. I could always ask Dad if he’s heard anything.
Smoke: Do that just in case. I’ll dig into them more when I get back to the compound and let you both know.
Mary: Thank you
My throat tightens as I reread Patch’s texts. Suddenly, images of what Claudia did to me at the hospital bombard me, and I wonder how easily it would be for Stephan and his lackeys to get to me here, too.
“What a bitch,” Gunner mutters before sitting in a chair beside me. “Watch your back with that one, Mary. She’s been glaring at us since you came over here,” he whispers.
I try to swallow the lump in my throat as I nod my acknowledgment.
I’m about to ask him something when a woman calls out my name. Looking over my shoulder, there’s a young, blond nurse with a bubbly smile on her face holding open the door that leads further into the clinic.
Patch stands and pushes me toward her, and I’m thankful that Smoke and Gunner both get up and follow us.
“We’ve got your back, Mary,” Gunner says quietly as he walks to my left, slightly behind Patch.
Not wanting to draw any attention, I subtly dip my head to indicate that I heard him.
After the nurse checks my vitals, I’m left in the room with Patch and Smoke while Gunner stands outside the door.
Patch helps me sit on the examination table and when he sits on the chair nearby, he frowns but concern is written all over his face.
“What’s going through your head, Siren?”
My throat works as I continue to try and swallow around the lump in my throat. “I’m nervous and a little scared. What if someone pulls a Claudia here? Or tampers with my records? Or…” I struggle to bring in breath and my chest feels like it’s on fire.
The next thing I know, Patch’s hands clasp mine before moving them to his chest, and then he cups my cheeks as he tilts my head up, making me look up at him.
“Breathe with me, Siren. That’s it. Keep breathing in sync with me.”
Even though I struggle, my breathing finally evens out some and I lean forward, resting my head on his chest.
“And here I thought being out and about was going to give me a panic attack, not wondering if Stephan or Diego has ties to anyone that works here. I hate how he’s made me start questioning everyone’s intentions.”
“From what I could find, they don’t. I did a background check on everyone that works here, even the janitors. However, that doesn’t mean something hasn’t happened recently that isn’t on anything I could dig up.” He pauses as he comes over and lightly squeezes my good shoulder. “And it’s not your fault that you’re questioning everything. It’s those fuckers’ fault because of what they did to you.
“Besides, there is a plus side to this. It’s making you more observant. More cautious. Listen to your instincts, like how you did with Lana a few minutes ago. We never knew there was bad blood here, so now we’ll be more cautious.” He pauses again before grinning darkly. “And if anyone does try anything, we’ll fuck them up, Steel Archangel style.”
Even though I know he’s dead serious, I can’t help but chuckle at that. “Thank you, Smoke. You’re going to make some woman very happy one day.”
His cheeks tinge just the slightest bit of pink and I briefly wonder if he’s been seeing someone, but I shake off the thought. It’s not my business to pry. I just hope that when he does find a woman, she’s nice and treats him and Mae with respect. I’ve grown very close to Mae during my time here, and by extension, Smoke as well. Hell, he’s decided to build his house on the other side of ours once our house is completed next spring.
He’s about to say something when the door opens, and a man in a white coat, who I’m assuming is Dr. McGregor, enters. He walks forward and does that bro hug thing with Patch and then Smoke.
“Gentlemen, good to see you today, and you must be Mary Catarino. Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. McGregor, but you can call me Mark if you want.”
Since that’s what Patch keeps calling him, I decide to follow suit. “Hello, Mark.”
He sets my file down on the counter, washes his hands and then sits on the little doctor’s stool. He gives me a soft smile that immediately puts me at ease.
“I’ve read through your files that the hospital sent over, but I’d like to hear what happened from you and your perspective.”
Taking a deep breath, I squeeze Patch’s hand, who’s still standing beside me and launch into it, telling him what happened Thanksgiving night. Of course, I give him the cliff-notes version and I purposefully leave out some details. The more I talk, the darker Mark’s face gets. When I’m done, he shares a look with Patch and then Smoke.
“Well, Mary, you are definitely in good hands with the club. I’ve known quite a few of the members for years and they’re all good men. They’ll help you take care of those scum.”
I wonder briefly exactly how close he is to some of the club members. Does he know that’s exactly what the club intends to do? To take care of Stephan, Diego, and the others?
Suddenly, Mark switches modes and any darkness that was there a moment ago is now gone.
“Now, let’s see how you’re healing.”
Fifteen minutes later, I release a breath of relief that Mark thinks all of my wounds are healing the way they should be and he’s extremely pleased about my progress with regaining my strength in my shoulder.
“Keep doing the exercises that the physical therapist gave you in the hospital, but remember not to push yourself too far too fast. That will only result in you setting back your progress and possibly even re-injuring it. I’ll see you again on January 4 th . We’ll take a look at your shoulder again as well as get your cast off. Then we’ll do an x-ray to see if you graduate into a walking boot or if we’ll need to recast it again. Of course, if any problems arise that Patch can’t handle between now and then, please call and make an appointment.”
Smiling, I nod. “Thank you, Mark, and yes, I will.”
“Have a good day,” he says before tilting his head at Patch and then Smoke.
“Thank you, you too,” I respond and then he leaves the room.
Patch lifts me off the table and sets me down in my chair. As we leave the room and head down the hallway, I can hear two people whispering harshly at each other. As we pass another hallway, I look down it only to see Lana and another doctor in a white coat, who I’m assuming is her father. Both of them scowl at us as we pass. Frowning, I wonder if they’re mad because of all the club members that are here or if it’s about something else. Shaking my head, I try to push them out of my mind as we leave the clinic, but when Patch stops my chair along the sidewalk and kneels in front of me, my body freezes as I stare at the passenger door.
“Patch.”
He looks up at me from where he’s hunched. He locks the wheels on my chair and follows my line of sight. His body tenses when he sees what I see.
A note tied to the handle of the passenger door.
I look around, confusion and fear gripping me. How could someone get past Tripp and Razor who are sitting in Patch’s truck? Plus get past the guy across the street that was watching the truck? And that’s not even mentioning the other guys that came with us today. How were they able to sneak past everyone?
“It’s okay, Mary, we’ll handle this,” Smoke says as he pats my shoulder and both he and Patch walk over to Tripp and Razor in the truck. The guys that were with us in the clinic all close ranks around me, but they leave a slight gap so that I can see Patch.
Tripp, who’s in the passenger seat looks surprised as they talk and he peers over the end of the truck, looking at the handle.
“How in the fuck did someone manage to do that? No one walked between us on either side of the truck.”
The guys nearby that can hear the conversation all curse.
“Reach into my glove box and give me a set of gloves. There should also be a baggie that we can use to put the note in.”
Once Patch puts on the gloves, he carefully unties the note and I frown when I see a little white substance poof when the tie is finally undone. “It’s coated in something. Did you see that?”
All three of their faces all tighten in anger. Patch looks up at Smoke and then Tripp before nodding slightly.
“Yeah, we saw it. We’ll have to get it tested.”
He works quickly, and I can faintly hear a couple of growls as Patch and Smoke read the note. Smoke takes a picture of it and then Patch secures it in the bag. Tripp hands him some wipes, which he uses to wipe down the handle. Patch talks quietly to Tripp, who soon produces another bag that Patch puts the wipe as well as his gloves into.
Patch comes back to me, picks me up, and then walks back toward the door. Tripp steps out and once Tripp squeezes past the door, without touching the handle, Patch sets me down on the seat. Moments later, he and Razor switch spots, again making sure not to touch the outer handle as a just in case. Thor appears at Patch’s window and they talk quietly for a few moments, but I can barely make out what they’re saying over the sound of the truck engine and the bikes in the background.
Finally, Patch nods and then turns back to me, frowning. “The rest of today’s plans are off. Sorry, Siren.”
A twinge of disappointment goes through me at that. I had hoped to be able to get a few Christmas things in person for the kids as well as some decorations.
“We need to get back to the clubhouse to examine what was on that note. Smoke’s gonna look at his cameras too, to see who the fuck it was and how they did it.”
A chill runs down my spine. “What did the note say?”
A dark look comes over his face as he hesitates and then his shoulders slump slightly before he pulls his phone out and hands it to me.
“3-1-4-6-2-4. Check the text messages. Smoke sent it to me.”
Emotion swells in me as Patch reverses out of the parking spot and drives through town. He used my birthday and Ash’s as his passcode.
Taking a deep breath, I enter the code and find the text message chain. I also see that he has a club text chain with new messages and as tempting as it is to look and learn more, I click on the thread with Smoke instead.
What I read chills me down to the bone.
You didn’t return what was rightfully mine. Now all your loved ones will pay and their blood will be on your hands. But don’t worry, your punishment will be ten times more severe than theirs ever will be. You know how to stop this and you know where to go to find me. The more you stall, the more they’ll hurt. The clock is ticking, Pet.
My mind whirls at who all could be behind this note. The first part makes me think it was Eileen or possibly Stephan. The punishment part sounds more like Diego or Kristoff. As for the ‘pet’ comment, all four of them have called me that at some point. Some more than others.
Tears burn my eyes. Why can’t they just leave us alone?