I’m not sure if she’s talking about the situation or my wounds, but I choose to discuss the wounds. “The slash on my arm is pretty bad, but not as bad as the stab wound in my leg. Probably gonna need some stitches.”
She nods her head and carefully leans forward to place a soft kiss on my lips. “I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you, babe.”
As soon as she hears the bikes, she grabs Ivy’s hand and rushes to the bedroom. She knows how bad this is gonna be. I turn my head when the door slams open. Brooks and Enzo come charging in and Nora is close behind them. Alex and Riley will be here any minute.
“What. The. Fuck,” Brooks roars, pinning me with fury in his eyes.
“I went back. I thought I could get Kingsley myself, but Dom and I got into it instead.”
Nora ignores everything going on and starts cleaning up my arm. The alcohol burns, but I refuse to even flinch right now. I can’t show any weakness right now. I need to take what I deserve.
He grabs my shirt, but Nora shoots him a look. He lets go and lights a cigarette. “Was I not clear when I said we are avoiding a motherfucking war? Did you not hear me when I said we would handle this as a goddamn club? What the fuck are you trying to do?” he barks.
I repeat to him everything I thought about in the truck. I just have to hope it’s enough. “I’m sorry, Brooks, I just wanted to save her.”
Nora squeezes my arm. I peek down at her and she gives me a wink and smiles. She’s proud of my decision. She’s telling me I should be too. “I need you to get the jeans off, Z. I need to see your leg. Your arm is superficial, it doesn’t need stitches,” she says.
I get my pants off and I let her get back to cleaning the blood. I look at both Enzo and Brooks. “I’m not asking for forgiveness here. I’m looking for understanding. The shit that’s been done to Harper at the hands of her father, it should enrage you just as much. Any real man wouldn’t stand for it. She’s my girl and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. You’d both do the same and you know it. We were just sitting there, playing right into their game. I made it worse, I’m well aware, but we can’t wait it out. We need to plan and we need it tonight. He’s gonna make sure Harper and I both suffer. So help me, as my family, fucking help me.”
“Fuck,” Enzo yells, scrubbing his face.
“Z, this leg is bad. It needs stitches for sure, but it’s gonna hurt. I don’t have anything to numb it,” Nora interrupts.
“Just do it,” I say.
She looks up at Enzo and Brooks. “Fucking patch him up, we’ll finish this when he’s not bleeding to death,” Brooks says, walking away.
They all go outside and Nora looks up at me. “You fucked up, but it was paved with good intentions. You need that girl as much as she needs you.”
I grin and nod. “Yeah you’re right. Now stitch me up so I can get this shit over with.”
The entire process is agony. I feel everything. The needle going in, the pulling of the skin, the tightening of the stitch. My eyes are squeezed shut and I’m doing my best not to scream out in pain.
“Almost done, Z,” she whispers. “I want you to shower when I’m done. Have Harper help you.”
I don’t say anything, just nod. I endure the pain, knowing it’s better than the alternative. I’ll do it all over if it means she’s safe and her father is dead.
A few minutes later, Nora goes to get Harper to help me shower. I want to protest, but it’s pointless. I walk into the bathroom and they stop talking.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing, baby. Come on, let me help you,” Harper says.
Nora leaves, closing the door behind her. Harper sets the shower and I strip the rest of my clothes off. “I’m alright,” I say, when she reaches her arm out to help me.
“I never said you weren’t, but I’m still gonna help you. Don’t be a stubborn ass,” she says, stripping out of her clothes.
I raise my eyebrow and run my greedy eyes over her body. “Oh you can help me, babe.”
She smiles as I step in the shower. She’s right behind me and I can feel her body close. “Not now. I’m gonna wash you and you’re going to handle your business.”
As much as I want to to argue, I know she’s right. I need to handle this mess. So for now, I stand still and enjoy the feel of her hands sliding over my body. My face is stinging from the punches. My arm and leg are burning, but I don’t stop her. She wants to feel needed and it’s the least I can do after all she’s been through tonight. After all I’ve put her through.
She finishes too quickly for my liking, but I do let her dry me. Just so I can feel her a little longer. When she’s done she pushes up on her toes and kisses me. I take advantage and deepen it, sinking my fingers into her wet hair. She moans and I hate that I need to end it.
I rest my forehead against hers and she lets out a sigh. “I’m going to deal with them and then I’m coming to bed so we can finish this.”
I kiss her again and we both get dressed. She goes back into the bedroom and I go out to face the club. I’m limping and need something for the pain, so I grab the pain pills Nora offers, before she kisses my cheek and leaves.
The guys are all in the living room so I sit down. “Alright, let’s do this.”
“We are pissed, no we are fucking livid. You
