There was one good thing to come out of getting my tattoo done. I now have a job at Phantom Ink. I’ll be working the counter, so Trent, Lee, Hailey, and Stryker only have to focus on the clients coming to get work done. They can’t seem to keep a girl working the front end very long. I have a feeling it’s because Trent and Lee can’t seem to keep their dicks to themselves. Neither man wants to settle down, so the women get pissed when they realize they won’t be the one to tame each man. I won’t have that problem since I’m with Killer.
Trent offered me the job and Killer called Stryker since he’s still with Butcher helping him out. I didn’t think there would be a problem with me working there, but the ultimate decision is up to Stryker. He’s poured his heart and soul into the tattoo shop. He goes to different shows and expos which gains Phantom Ink shows from all over the world. Not to mention he’s amazing when it comes to the work his employees and him do.
Today is my first day of work and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it in. Waking up this morning, I instantly cover my mouth as I jump out from under Killer’s arm and rush to the bathroom. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m losing what little is in my stomach. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling so good and went to bed early. Now, I’m getting sick. My stomach hurts so bad from getting sick as it feels as if hours pass me by.
Killer walks into the bathroom and I hear water running before a cool washcloth is placed at the back of my neck. The one thing I hate most in the world is getting sick. There’s nothing like it and I’d take all the pain in the world being inflicted on me over getting sick. My man stays in the bathroom with me, rubbing his hand up and down my back. I don’t want him to witness me being sick, but I know he’s not going to leave me alone either.
After several minutes of sitting on the cool bathroom floor in front of the toilet, Killer picks me up and carries me back into bed. He covers me up so you can barely see my head before I hear him talking on the phone to someone. I’m not sure who it is, and I really don’t care as my eyes slide shut and sleep begins to claim me.
I’m not sure what time it is when I wake up. Knowing I’m supposed to be at work today, I jump out of bed completely disoriented. As I have to rush to the bathroom once more, the events of earlier come back. This time I’m alone when I get sick and I sink down to the bathroom floor. After remaining where I am for a while, until my stomach settles and I’m sure I’m not going to be sick again, I get up and brush my teeth. I really want to take a shower, but I don’t feel as if I have the energy to be in there alone. I’m still tired and more than ready to climb back in bed.
As I walk out in the room, Killer comes through the door with a tray in his hands.
“Are you okay?” he asks me, setting the tray on top of his dresser as he rushes to my side.
“I feel like crap and just want to sleep again,” I answer him honestly.
“I know, Sparrow. You have to try and eat somethin’ for me first,” he informs me, helping me back in bed before grabbing the tray once more.
“I don’t want to,” I plead, my voice sounding whiny and annoying to my own ears.
“You have to get somethin’ in you. Maybe you’ll start to feel a little better then,” he orders, using the tone of voice I know not to argue with.
Relaxing back against the pillows he’s piled behind me, Killer sets the tray down over my lap. He makes sure I have everything I need before sitting down next to me. There’s a bowl of soup on the tray, a bottle of water, crackers, and toast. Looking at Killer sitting next to me, I have tears in my eyes as I lay my head back. I’m trying to get my emotions under control so I can attempt to get something in my stomach.
“Why the tears, Sparrow?” he asks me, scooting over closer to me.
“No one has ever taken care of me the way you do. You’ve saved me in so many different ways and I’ll never be able to repay you,” I answer him honestly.
“You pay me back every single day you allow me to be in your life. Gwen, you’re so strong and capable of doin’ whatever you set your mind to. For you to be my ol’ lady and share your life with me is all the repayment I need,” he says, kissing my forehead. “You don’t have a fever. I called the doctor and they told me to watch for one. You haven’t had one all day.”
I shrug my shoulders. The only thing I know right now is my stomach is turning and I really don’t want to get sick again. So, I turn my attention back to the food in front of me. Soup will probably be the safest choice for me to try first. Killer watches me like a hawk as I take a few bites of the chicken noodle soup. Putting my spoon down, I open my bottle of water before going back to the soup. I’m actually hungry and the soup doesn’t seem to be upsetting my stomach. Still, I don’t want to push my luck.
When I’ve had just a little less than half the bowl, I push it to the side. Before Killer can take the tray from me, I grab the pack of crackers and my water. I place them on the stand beside me and burrow back under the covers. He leaves the room only long enough to take care of the tray. I’m almost asleep when he comes back in the room. I listen as he strips down to nothing and slides in next to me. Killer wraps his arms around me and I cuddle into his warm, hard body. Sleep once again claims me.
Chapter Sixteen
Killer
THE LAST FEW weeks have been crazy as hell. Gwen woke up the next morning and was feeling better. Her stomach was still feeling off and she did get sick a few times throughout the day, but she went to work. Honestly, she’s been getting sick at least once a day since then. Still, she insists on going to work every day. The doctor said she’s not contagious since there’s been no fever and she does seem to be getting better on a daily basis. Gwen is so stubborn she even called Stryker to make sure he was okay with it.
While Gwen is working, I’ve been out searching for whoever is after her. No one has been able to give us any clues about who it is or the men behind going to my house or sending her the notes and packages. Yeah, more have been delivered to the house while we’ve been at the clubhouse. Gwen doesn’t know about them and I don’t plan on telling her. She’s finally got a smile on her face again and I want to keep it there.
The packages have contained pictures of her doing things around town. Not just recently, but since moving to Benton Falls. Other pictures have been included from her childhood. These are the ones that piss me the fuck off the most. They showcase the damage done to her young body and the life slowly draining from her eyes. It’s taken a lot to get that light and life back. These fuckfaces will not ruin it or take it from her again. She’s got all the power in this situation and I’ll shield her from as much as I can.
On top of the pictures, notes have been included. About them coming for her and her not being able to hide. How the club is going to be taken out, so nothing stands in their way, and how it’s funny I’m scrambling all over town with no clue what I’m actually doing. When I get my hands on the fuckers, they’re going to pay with their pathetic lives for not only coming after my woman but for threatening my family. They have no clue who the fuck they’re messing with.
Yesterday, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to Phantom Ink for Gwen. Lee and Trent got it since she was out to lunch with Hailey. I got the call from Trent and told him to throw those fuckers away. They were roses that looked dead and I’m sure it’s intentional. He wants her to know they’re going to kill her if they get their hands on her. They’re definitely stepping up their game. Especially once Trent read me the card.