“I want to help my brother.” The sadness in her eyes turns to lust in a second. Her long lashes flutter against her cheeks.
“I know you do, but he’s in good hands. The best way to help is to wait here for Derange.” My voice is soft and comforting, my fingers trace patterns on her thigh.
Danyella’s gasp hitches in her throat. She drops her eyes to my hand and her cheeks turn red. Her chest heaves as her pink tongue darts out to wet her full red lips. I stifle in a groan. “Derek, what are you doing?” She whispers. Her eyes snap up to mine. Fear and nervousness replace the lust shining at me.
I yank my hand away quickly like I shoved it over a hot stove and blink. What the fuck am I doing? Danyella has had enough men manhandle her. She isn’t ready for me yet. Tears form in her eyes as she watches me. “I’m sorry Derek. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t ever apologize to me, Belle.” The nickname I gave her years ago turns her face into a full-on blush. I take her small, slender fingers into mine and caress the backs of them in soothing motions. I stare into her shining green eyes that has a way of searing straight into my soul. “I didn’t think about how you’d react. It was selfish of me to think we could pick up where we were heading when you disappeared.” I inhale a deep breath and release it. “When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting.” I peer into her eyes before dropping her hands and standing up. I have to get out of here before I do something we both will regret. I turn my back on Danyella and walk toward my room. I don’t look back. I can’t. If I see the pain in her soulful eyes, I will lose my shit. I’ll resurrect every motherfucker who fucked with her and blast their fucking dicks off then blow their heads clean off their shoulders.
I reach the safety of my room and slam the door behind me with hard enough force the walls tremble. I lean against the door, sucking in a deep breath through my teeth and exhale it harshly. I need to keep my shit together. I can’t expose my weakness. Someone already tried taking her away from me months ago just to hurt me and my club. I can’t allow myself to give in to temptation and leave the door wide open for that again.
I pull out the picture that’s been tucked away into my cut since I killed Chains. I unfold it and remove the creases. Vengeance burns through my bones as I stare at the photo.
A soft knock vibrates through the door and straight into my heart. It’s Danyella. I can do the noble thing and ignore it. Or I can do the Bastard thing and let her in. I tuck the photo into the inside pocket of my cut and make a decision. I reach for the knob and twist.
Chapter 19
Blayze
“He’s going to be fine. Too much blood loss but I’ve given him two transfusions. He should be coming around at any time.” Derange speaks in a hushed voice to someone, but I can’t open my eyes to see who.
Soft, warm hands wrap around mine and hold on with strength. I try to move but my body and brain don’t want to cooperate. I lightly squeeze the hand holding mine and peek an eye open. My vision is blurry so I blink a couple of times, trying to focus.
“You’re awake,” Monica whispers against my ear sending a longing of want down my spine.
“Yeah, I am, Bug. Did you doubt me?” I whisper back. “Where am I?” I’m lying on a soft bed against a stark white wall. A sheet is settled over my waist. My shirt is off and a bandage wrapped around my bullet wound. Fire races down my arm when I try to move it and it itches like crazy.
Monica releases my hand and runs her fingers through my hair massaging my scalp. “Not in a million years.” She smiles softly at me; her brown eyes are glistening with tears. “Listen, you lost a lot of blood but Derange was able to give you two blood transfusions. He has you in one of the extra rooms. How are you feeling now?”
“From a flesh wound? That’s a little dramatic don’t you think?”
“It wasn’t a flesh wound, Xander.” Monica levels me with an annoyed glare. “The bullet nicked an artery on the underside of your arm. You’re lucky you didn’t bleed to death.”
“Blayze,” Derange speaks from the other side of me. I turn my head to look at him and the pounding in my skull sends my stomach into a tight cramp. “It’s going to take a few days for you to feel one hundred percent. I want you to take this time to rest and relax.”
“I can’t. There’s too much going on for me to sit here.” I try to sit up by my stomach has other ideas as I hold back a gag.
“You can and you will,” Capone speaks from the doorway. “You look like shit, brother.”
“Geez, thanks asshole,” I grumble and lay back down.
“That’s Royal Bastard asshole to you.” Capone pushes off the door and enters the room. His black eyes are burning into me, daring me to go against his orders. Something’s off with him, but I’m too tired to explore that right now. “You’re going to rest and relax for the next couple of days.”
“What about Dread, Drew and Los Demons? We can’t let them get away.” Just even the thought of those two escaping makes my blood boil.
“When you’re healed, we’re heading to Michigan. So, get the fuck better soon so we can get there.” Capone heads out of the room but stops in the doorway turning back to me with worry in his dark eyes. “And Blayze. If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will shoot you myself.”
“Aye, Prez. I’ll let you shoot me if it happens again.” Capone grins and leaves the room.
Monica slaps my chest in annoyance. “You scared the fuck out of me. Don’t ever do that again.”
I grab her hand and pull her down onto the bed with me, tucking her into my good side. “I’ll try not to Bug, but I can’t guarantee it. It’s the way of our life. The code of honor we live by.” My voice is getting groggy by the second but I don’t want to waste any more time away from Monica.
“I know, Xander. I know the code. It’s been ingrained in my brain since I was a child. But that doesn’t mean I won’t stop worrying about you.” Monica’s hand snakes down the sheet, resting on my abs while her warm breath fans across my neck sending a longing into my cock.
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Derange clears his throat.
“That’d be good right about now,” I chuckle. “Unless you want to talk about what pops up next.”
“Nope, sorry. That’s not something I want to see. I’m gonna find me a warm pussy to sink in to.” Derange leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
“You’re such a bastard,” Monica mumbles into my chest.
“A Royal Bastard. Remember that.” I cup the side of her face and bring her lips against mine. Licking the seam of her lips, Monica opens them with no hesitation. I enter her hot, wet mouth with any lack of care. It’s been too long since I’ve had her wrapped around me, I can’t wait any longer. A moan escapes Monica’s throat and I swallow it up with a fevered kiss. “Mine,” I growl against her lips.
“Yours, just like you’re mine,” Monica returns the frenzy kiss and straddles my waist, pushing the sheet down my legs. Her hips move against mine, pressing her heated pussy to caress my aching cock, causing my eyes to cross. I love it when she gets all dominating on me. “Should we be doing this?” She pants against my lips.