Chapter Seven #2
“She’s gettin’ discharged tomorrow. Gonna need physical therapy for a while and Dr. Keen wants her to see a therapist. Her dad told me she’s thinkin’ about it.
I’m tryin’ to figure out a way to get her to the ranch.
Roger has a good setup there and now that Annistyn is involved, I think it would be the perfect fit for Taleah.
Her voice is still weak and might never be what it once was from what her dad just told me.
She’s still rarely talkin’ and uses her voice for the staff when they go in to see her.
I know she’s havin’ nightmares when she does sleep.
Last night it was really bad. She only got an hour of sleep before stayin’ up the rest of the night.
Her parents tried to get her to nap durin’ the day, but she couldn’t,” I tell him as Tonya, a nurse, walks in Taleah’s room with medicine in hand.
“You also need to sleep, Master. I don’t think you’ve gotten five hours since the day we rushed to Fantasy Realm.
You’re gonna fuckin’ crash hard and make yourself sick.
You were barely sleepin’ before this happened.
Let’s go. Evan has the door and won’t let anyone in who doesn’t work here.
Taleah’s parents are with her and you’ve already had dinner delivered to all three of them like you do for every meal every single day.
It’s time for you to go to the compound, take a shower, get some real food, and sleep in your bed.
Not go to your office and stare at the computer monitors until you lay your head on your desk and catch an hour or sleep,” Count says, his voice hard as I turn my attention toward him and see the serious look on his face.
“Fine,” I mutter, getting out of the chair that’s molded to my body and stretching before I step over to Evan and look in the door to see Taleah in the bed looking smaller than ever before.
“I’m headin’ to the compound. Anythin’ happens, I’m your first fuckin’ call.
Keep doin’ what your doin’ and don’t let just anyone in her room. You got it?”
“Got it, Master. Tonya is her night nurse and Dr. Keen left for the day already. No one else should be goin’ in her room but Tonya,” he informs me as I nod in response before turning to leave with Count at my side.
“Talked to Reynolds earlier when I saw him in town. They’re still searchin’ for TJ.
He’s hidin’ and they have an undercover cop sittin’ down from the house in case he goes back there.
They’ve checked his parents’ house even though it’s in another state and have talked to all the women he’s cheated on Taleah with.
No one has seen him. At least that’s what they’re sayin’.
TJ isn’t smart enough to hide on his own.
Someone has to be helpin’ him,” Count says once the elevator doors close and we’re alone so no one can overhear.
“I’ll find him,” I state the truth because he won’t be able to hide from me.
“Not tonight you won’t. We’re all worried about you, Master.
We all know you work yourself to death, but this is personal and you aren’t takin’ care of yourself.
It’s worse than ever before and none of us are gonna stand for it much longer,” he tells me as we exit the elevator and head for the exit.
Our bikes are parked close to the door as we walk over and straddle them.
“Tomorrow. I can bring my laptop with me or use my phone to find him. TJ isn’t gonna hide forever.”
Starting my bike, I let it warm up for a minute while I put my helmet on after tying a bandana around my face.
I hate getting hit with bugs and other debris while I ride.
Bhodi and I used to wear full face helmets so I never had to worry about that shit.
We also rode sport bikes. I still have my bike, but rarely ride it.
No one else in the club has one and I only take it out once a month to ensure it’s running properly.
Very few people know I have the sport bike because I don’t keep it on the compound.
I store my bike at a secure garage across town.
Every single time I take it out, I remember the times Bhodi and I would ride together for the day without anyone with us.
How I never once put Taleah on the back of it for a ride she was desperate to take with me.
Count and I pull into the compound a few minutes after leaving the hospital.
I needed to feel the wind and rode faster than I should have through town to cut the trip time short.
After parking, we walk in the clubhouse together to find a party going on.
Nothing new for the guys here, but I’m over it.
I do see Reckless and Link sitting at their normal table in the back and know they aren’t here for the party.
They’re waiting for me to get back. Taking a deep breath, I head for their table and stop in front of them.
I don’t say a word as the two of them stare at me for a minute.
“Know whatever this situation is, it’s personal for you, Master.
Not gonna ask you questions tonight about it, but we will be talkin’ about this.
Worried about you because you’re quiet and rarely here these days.
You’re burnin’ yourself out and we all saw how you responded to the girl in that store.
All we want is to make sure you’re okay and that you realize we’re all here for you.
None of us will hesitate to help you with whatever you need.
Whatever she needs. Obviously the girl is important to you,” Reckless says as he leans back in his seat and folds his hands together on the table in front of him.
“Not ready to talk about it yet,” I say before leaving Count with them.
I don’t head for the bar to get a drink or pay attention to any of the Feral Girls trying to get my attention.
Going into the kitchen, I find a plate in the refrigerator with my name on it.
Pulling it out, I heat it up in the microwave.
The ol’ ladies must have made dinner tonight because I have a full plate of lasagna and garlic bread.
As it heats up, the smell surrounds me and I realize how truly hungry I am.
After removing my plate from the microwave, I head straight upstairs and don’t stop until I get to my room.
After unlocking the door, I sit at my desk and eat the food left for me.
Reaching down, I grab a bottle of water from the mini fridge I have right next to my desk and take a large sip.
When all of my food is gone, I head in for a shower so I can go to bed.
I’m exhausted and have been pushing through it because the need to be close to Taleah is all-consuming.
Even if I’m not in the same room with her, just being close is enough for now.