CHAPTER NINETEEN
– NORIE –
Sevrin blocks my view and Fatal closes the door. I know both guys are trying to protect me, but I really want to see with my own eyes what the hell happened to Swade. Whirling around, I rush down the stairs and hear Sevrin curse behind me.
Clearly, this was a spur of the moment action where I wanted Sevrin out of the way so I could pass him and run up the stairs again. Though, what I didn’t think about was seeing Huck’s lifeless body in a pool of blood.
I swallow hard while I keep staring. His eyes are open and it’s as if he’s locked his gaze into a black hole. The guy I’ve known for the past few days, who was nice and chatty, will never say one damn word ever again.
“Motherfucker,” Sevrin grumbles. “I have no clue why your old man insisted you’d come here with us. There’s a time and place for a woman, but this ain’t it.”
I curl my fingers into a fist and punch the idiot in the shoulder.
“You did not just say that. A freaking time and place for a woman? Are you shitting me? I hope you meet a badass chick you fall for and shove your foot into your mouth like you did just now. ’Cause that badass chick?
She’d roast your balls and shove your dick into a meat grinder.
Ugh. I can’t believe we’re related. Sexist pig.
Thank fuck my old man has more respect than you. ”
“What the hell did you do?” Fatal growls from behind Sevrin.
The asshole in question turns to face Fatal and raises his hands away from his body in a “I have no clue” motion.
“I only mentioned ‘there’s a time and place for a woman, and this ain’t it.’ She started chewing my ass off.” Sevrin looks confused.
Fatal, however, shakes his head in disapproval and holds out his hand for me. “Come on, we’ve moved Swade to the couch. He’s asking for you.”
A few other members come inside and are heading in Huck’s direction.
“What are they going to do?” My thoughts simply slip out, and I’m not really expecting an answer.
To my surprise, Fatal says, “Swade said it was Norlick Ways who came in here guns blazing. They tried to beat answers out of Swade and they left when they heard us coming. We can’t call the cops and have them turn this place into a crime scene. Not with all the guns we have hidden in here.”
“Makes sense,” I muse as I try to process his words while we walk back up the stairs.
The door is open and I can’t help cringing when my eyes land on the couch where Swade is lying.
Rushing forward, I drop to my knees next to him.
I want to grab his hand, or hug him, but I stay rooted because of all the blood, cuts, and bruises.
I’m pretty sure feathering my fingertips over his skin would hurt by the looks of it.
“Are you okay?” I can feel my eyes widen. “Shit. Stupid question. Sorry.”
Swade chokes on a laugh and instantly groans in pain. “I’ll be a hell of a lot better when the doc and his drugs get here. Fuck. I really need the good stuff to knock me out.”
I turn to Fatal and whisper, “Is it safe?”
Though, it’s Swade who says, “I’ve had worse, sweetheart. Not only do we have bareknuckle fights in the backyard of the club from time to time, but I’ve sustained a few injuries working in this brewery.”
My gaze turns blurry, and I rattle, “You’ve slipped so many times, and then there was the incident with the forklift, and the hot liquid when...”
He cuts me off by lifting his hand and gently placing it against my cheek. “Each and every time you’ve worried, but I bounced back.”
With these few simple words and memories, it’s clear our lives have been more intwined than I realized. He might not have been my father on paper and on the surface, but deep down? He’s always been there throughout my life as I’ve been in his.
I squeeze my eyes closed and lean into his touch. “You did.”
“Doctor’s here,” Heart states from somewhere behind me.
Swade’s eyes are starting to swell shut.
My throat feels thick with emotion when I croak, “You’d better not die, because I want a chance to call you dad for real. This moment isn’t it...so, don’t you die on me.”
Swade chokes on a laugh again and I could kick myself for being the one who causes more pain.
“Come on, babe, give the doc some room,” Fatal states and lifts me to my feet.
Fatal tugs me under his arm and holds me close. I fist his cut and keep my eyes on Swade while the doctor checks out his injuries.
I tip my head back to stare at Fatal. “Doesn’t he need to go to the hospital for a cat scan or an MRI to make sure he doesn’t have any internal bleeding?”
Fatal leans in and brushes his lips against my forehead. “We asked, he refused. I’m sure the doctor will demand it if he deems it necessary.”
“Good to know,” I muse.
The doctor takes a syringe and administers something to Swade.
I’m itchy and can’t hold my tongue any longer. “Is he going to be okay?”
The doctor doesn’t turn to face me but does bob his head. “He has to take it easy for the upcoming few weeks. Which, knowing the bastard, will be hard.”
“Asshole,” Swade grumbles.
The doctor chuckles. “Be nice or I’ll add an extra few Benjamins to the bill.”
Swade flips him off and I untangle myself from Fatal to get to Swade and whisper hiss, “Could you stop? The man is helping you.”
“The man is paid for his services,” Swade grumbles and whispers, “He also happens to be a good friend of mine.”
I release a deep breath. Knowing this little fact makes me less anxious. A good friend wouldn’t let his good friend die, right?
“Prez?” Remus steps inside. “We’ve swept the place clean. Everything else is still in place.”
I get to my feet and glance at Fatal when he says, “Good. Make sure a handful of brothers stay here in case they return. Is the van here yet? We need to take Swade back to the clubhouse.”
“Lumos is outside with the van,” Remus states.
Fatal glances at Swade. “Can you walk or do you need us to carry your old ass down the stairs?”
His voice sounds small when he states, “A little help would be appreciated.”
“Heart.” Remus jerks his chin in the direction of Swade. “Let’s get our brother downstairs.”
They move as one. Fatal and I follow and I risk a glance at the spot where Huck was lying earlier. It’s squeaky clean, as if nothing has happened.
“Come on,” Fatal rumbles and guides me out the door and toward his bike.
I sigh in relief as I strap on the helmet and get on the bike behind him.
The ride is just what I needed. Not being able to talk for a few minutes and simply pressing myself against his strong body while the wind tugs at my clothes as the scenery flashes by.
It’s relaxing, something I never would have known until I met Fatal.
All too soon we’re back in the clubhouse.
Fatal stalks to Sevrin and asks, “When will your brothers be here?”
Sevrin checks his watch. “Half hour, tops.”
“Good. Get them into church when they get here. We’ll update everyone and leave once it’s dark.” Fatal waits for Sevrin to nod before he guides me to our room.
He kicks the door shut behind him and states, “You have to stay put when I leave tonight, and I want you palming a gun the whole time I’m gone. You will fucking shoot anyone who walks to that door that isn’t me, understood?”
I can feel my eyes widen. The look on his face tells me he’s serious. Okay, I know Gilpin walked into our room and took me, almost killed me, but is he expecting a repeat?
“Do you think there’s still one of your men working for those other MC guys?” I whisper.
Fatal starts to pace. “I don’t know. Maybe? Yet, they went to the brewery and didn’t find the weapons. Which tells me neither Melon nor Gilpin shared that piece of information. If there was another rat, wouldn’t they have taken all the guns?”
“Maybe,” I muse. “Though, it does make sense no one told them. If Melon knew Gilpin was messing with the books and blackmailed him into helping with the deal...then they would keep it between them. I mean, they betrayed you guys and bringing in others means a smaller slice of the money. Greed sucks but does give an angle of advantage when it comes to betraying your brothers.”
Fatal stares at me with a fierce look.
I lick my lips and swallow at the dryness in my throat by the way the intensity crackles between us. “What?”
“I knew I made the right choice by claiming you, but fucking hell, woman...you’re perfect.
” He closes the distance between us and places his forehead against mine.
“Being able to bounce shit off you, to trust you with details, to not have you freak out, give straight up answers without bullshit is really refreshing.”
I can feel a sappy smile sliding across my face while my heart skips a beat. “We work well together.”
He covers his mouth with mine and groans as he deepens the kiss.
Fatal pulls back all too fast to murmur against my lips, “Point of no return. You’re it for me, as I’m it for you.”
I fist his cut to pull him back down again, and echo right before his mouth meets mine, “As if there’s another choice for either of us at this point.”