Badger's Claim (Devils Riot MC Book 7)

by E. C. Land

  “Umm, I’m not sure. I don’t usually get to hang around the club. It’s mainly my cousin and Timber when I get the chance to go down there.” She diverts her eyes as she answers my question. I’m sure she knows more than she’s letting on, but I won’t hold that against her. I’d never hold anything about her past against her. If and when she’s ready to talk, I’ll make sure she can always come to me.

  “Honey, I’m not gonna force you into talking about anything, so don’t think you can’t just tell me. Your days with that sick fuck are over. I told you I’d protect you from the monsters and I stand by that. Got me?” Cupping her cheek, I make sure I have her eyes on mine when I finish talking. I need her to get that I mean every damn word coming out of my mouth.

  “Why do you keep calling me ‘honey’?” Jordan asks, her brows furrowed.

  “Well, I’ve already told you that, but since I guess you don’t remember, I’ll tell you again,” Smirking, I sit on the edge of the bed facing her. “My road name is Badger because I love honey. So, since I love honey so much, what better name to give the woman who stole my heart?”

  “But you don’t even know me,” she whispers.

  “I know all I need to know right now. The rest can come later,” I tell her, giving her a grin.

  Before she can protest, the door opens and the room instantly fills with the doctor, nurses, and family, as they all want to set eyes on my woman.

  For the first time in what feels like forever, I can breathe.

  Chapter Ten

  Jordan

  “Wanna know why I call you Honey? Because you’re the first woman I’ve wanted to make my own. And badgers love honey, so I figured it was fitting to call you something that I love. Because, babe, I’ve loved you since the first time you bumped into me. I just didn’t know it then.” His words come back to me. I thought it had all been just a dream.

  Why is he doing this to me? I’m not this person he seems to have in his head. I’m nothing, and that’s all I’ll ever be. He deserves someone who can hold their head up high without the fear of doing something wrong hovering over them.

  I’m about to protest when the door flies open. Nurses and the doctor rush into the room followed by several people, including my mom and brothers.

  My heart feels like it’s about to come through my chest at all the people in here. I’m not used to the attention being directly on me. Well, besides when I’m dancing. But even then, it’s not directly on me but what I’m doing.

  “Alright, everyone chill the hell out.” Badger’s voice booms throughout the room.

  “I need everyone out of the room,” the doctor says. Narrowing my eyes, I try to see the name on his badge but he’s too far away.

  “That’s not happening,” Dragon grumbles.

  “I’m sorry, but I need the room to speak with my patient in confidence, meaning everyone besides the nurses need to leave,” the doctor demands.

  “That’s not happening,” Badger retorts as he stands up to face the doctor, crossing his arms. “In fact, I think I’d prefer if Dr. Connors is the one checking on her.”

  “I have to agree with my brother on that,” Dragon states as he moves forward.

  “Well, Dr. Connors isn’t a doctor on staff here at this hospital, so you will have to take it up with the Director. 'Til then, Jordan is a patient of mine who just woke up after being in a coma for a month. Now, please step out of the room so that I may speak with my patient,” the doctor says, his voice becoming annoyed by the second.

  “It’s okay. Let him do his job,” I say, coming to the doctor’s defense, knowing what it’s like to deal with the difficulties of families who want things done a certain way.

  “Babe, I’m not leaving,” Badger states angrily.

  “Please, just go,” I murmur softly.

  “Not happening.” Gritting his teeth, Badger stands firm.

  Knowing it’s frivolous to try and argue with him or anyone else right now, I lean back against the pillow with a huff.

  “How about we step right outside the door, that way we’re close,” my mother suggests from where she’s standing with Dragon and Gadget. It’s strange seeing her standing with them like it is a normal thing that happens every day.

  “Fine,” Gadget mutters, pointing a finger toward the doctor, then Badger. “Watch him,” he orders.

  “Great, just fuckin’ great. I go from one controlling asshole to a bunch more. Why can’t you all do what the damn doctor says and leave for five fucking minutes?” By the time I finish, I’m yelling.

  “Deirfiúr, calm down. We’re not trying to be controlling assholes, as you want to call us. We want to protect you and can’t do that if we’re not near you,” Dragon rasps. Glancing in his direction, my chest aches at the sadness in his eyes.

  This is why I didn’t want anyone to know about my life and what I was going through. I don’t want anyone to feel pity toward me or guilt over not doing something about it.

  Without saying another word, I nod in his direction before looking back at the doctor. “Just do what you have to do,” I tell him.

  “Are you sure?” he asks remorsefully. “I can call security.”

  “Good luck with that,” I hear Badger mutter under his breath.

  Rolling my eyes at Badger, I give the doctor my answer. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Okay.” Sighing, the doctor goes about asking me the generic routine questions I’ve heard plenty of times working at the hospital. Then he examines my body, earning a growl from more than just Badger as he lifts the blanket to check my ribs. Evidently, I was in worse shape than I thought.

  By the time he finished doing his poke and probe, I was ready to fall back to sleep, exhaustion creeping up on me.

  “Get some rest, Jordan,” the doctor says before leaving the room.

  “I don’t like that fucker,” Gadget grumbles as he moves toward the side of the bed opposite Badger.

  “Same here. Something about him isn’t right,” Badger mutters, sitting back down on the side of the bed.

  I’m sure I shouldn’t enjoy having him sit beside me, but it feels nice having him close.

  “I think you all are overreacting,” I mutter, closing my eyes in an attempt to ignore them.

  “Sweetheart, they’re just looking out for you,” my mom says softly.

  “Yeah, well, I don’t want anyone looking out for me,” I mutter to myself.

  “Quit that shit, babe,” Badger seethes.

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” I huff, narrowing my eyes on him.

  “How about you just get some rest? When you wake up, we’ll discuss all this shit,” Badger says, leaning forward he kisses my lips.

  “So happy you’re awake, sweetheart. Just rest for now. Everything else can wait 'til later,” my mom says, squeezing by my brothers to hug me.

  “Thanks, Momma.” I lift my good arm up to hug her back.

  “Anything for my baby,” she whispers.

  “Come on, Cara. Let’s leave Jordan alone,” Dragon says gently to my mom. It’s weird hearing him be gentle with anyone besides Connors.

  “Okay, child, let’s go.”

  “Swear, she calls us child one more time, I’m gonna scream,” Gadget mutters.

  “I suggest you hush, child, before I put you over my knee. I might not be your momma by blood, but I’ll be treating you like my children now that you’re part of my daughter's life,” Momma informs them in the mom voice I rarely get to hear her use.

  “Cara, I’m sure our mam wouldn’t mind. But shit, we’re twice your size coming up to our chest. I mean, seriously, what are you? You can’t be more than five foot two,” Gadget jokes, causing me to laugh then groan at the pain.

  “Honey, you alright?” Badger asks instantly.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, just sore,” I say, turning my focus on him.

  “Go to sleep. I’ll be here keeping the monsters at bay,” he whispers as he places his forehead against mine.

  “Okay,
” I whisper in response, staring into his eyes, feeling the intensity of his words.

  Finally, I close my eyes and nod off, knowing for once in my life I can really be safe. I only hope it can last.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jordan

  “You’ve got to be kidding me! I am not quitting my job at Sinners Cove,” I inform all the men in the room, including Dean.

  It seems they all have decided I’m not able to make decisions for myself now because of all I’ve been through and the fact I didn’t speak up. Well, hate to burst their bubbles because I’m not Jimmy Livingston in the Bubble Boy needing to be locked away in some bubble, suffocating for the things I love to do. And dancing is the only thing I’ve been able to do that lets me be me. If I’m not able to dance at Sinners Cove, I don’t know what I’ll do.

  “Babe, you don’t need to be working all the damn time now. Your dad can’t fuck with you anymore.”

  “Exactly, and by the way, I took it upon myself to have him removed from your bank account and even switched you to the bank the club uses so daddy dick head can’t try shit when it comes to your money,” Gadget says.

  “What do you mean off my bank account? It was his account. I had to have my checks put in his accounts.” My head swims with all that is going on around me. They must see me as this completely dim-witted person.

  “Jordan, you can get that look right off your face. I don’t even have to read your mind to know what the hell you’re thinking,” Dragon growls in a low rasp.

  “Cormac fucked with your head enough, deirfiúr. But he was a dumbass going about it. I looked into everything as I was going about getting your shit switched to another bank. He defrauded the bank in all this,” Gadget states.

  “How was he able to defraud them?” I ask quietly.

  “Because he forged your name to documents and when he needed you to go to the bank in person, he used someone else. So technically, he didn’t just defraud the bank when he stole your identity but the government as well.” Leaning my head back, I stare blankly at the ceiling. How can any of this be real?

  I mean, who the hell does this shit in real life?

  “Sweetheart, I went ahead and filed for you to get all new documents. They should be at your brothers’ house today or tomorrow. We’ll need to get you a new identification card, but that’s easy enough,” my mom says.

  “Great, anything else you all want to dictate in my life?” Grumbling, I give each of them the closest thing I can to a death stare.

  “Don’t you take that tone with me, Jordan Darcy Brooks,” my mom snaps, using my full name.

  “Darcy?” Dragon asks.

  “Yes, Darcy. I wanted my daughter to be able to have something close to her brothers and I’d reached out to your mother to ask for her blessing when I gave Jordan the name. Not only is it your mam’s name, it also rings with both of yours,” my mom informs all of us. I never even knew the reason why she chose my name.

  “Why didn’t we know you and our mother knew each other? Better yet, why didn’t we ever know about our sister?” Gadget questions cautiously.

  “Your mam asked me to keep your sister away from you both to protect you from being hurt by Cormac. I completely understood and respected your mother’s wishes. Granted, at the time I didn’t realize the depths of what she was asking,” Mom says, tears filling her eyes.

  At her confession, I’m even more confused than I was before. Something about her words tells me there’s more to it. However, right now I honestly don’t care.

  “Look, we can talk. I’m tired and ready to get out of here, though I don’t know where I’m gonna go . . . ”

  “You’ll be staying with me,” Badger says, interrupting me.

  “No, I’m not,” I say just as quickly as he did. I’m sure I could ask Dean if I can crash at his place or even with Mitch. I glance in his direction to ask him only to have Badger stop me.

  “Don’t even think about it, Honey,” Badgers mutters before leaning over the bed to come nose to nose with me. My breath hitches with him so close. “You try to argue with me, you’ll regret it. I’d never hurt you, but babe, make no mistake, I will not put your safety in jeopardy. Meaning if I have to tie you to the middle of my bed, I will.”

  I don’t know if he expects me to respond to him or not. I'm not so sure I could form words. My mind is already in overdrive with everything going on and topping it all off is him telling me that shit. Yeah, I need a break from all people. I don’t do people unless I have to and right now my room is filled with more than I can handle.

  I need air, space, hell, I just want to be left alone so I can breathe.

  “Can you all give Jordan and I a little bit?” Badger asks, facing the room.

  “Yeah, brother, we need to get back home. Logan has been throwing a fit about us not being home enough,” Gadget says.

  “Well, I was gonna tell you later on after you were released, but I’ll just say it now. I know you, sweetheart. The anxiety is high right now and you’re feeling pressured, however, everyone in this room loves you. We’re here for you no matter what. Now, I’m gonna head back home today. Your aunt called me this morning and she needs me,” Mom murmurs.

  “Okay, give Caelan a hug for me,” I whisper. I’m filled with emotion, wishing I could see my cousin. Though we weren’t extremely close growing up, we’re still close. She’s honestly the closest thing I have to a best friend.

  “I will, sweetheart, call me later okay,” she says as she comes closer to the bed to give me a hug goodbye.

  Nodding, I simply hug her instead of answering.

  “Come on, Cara, we’ll walk you to your car,” Dragon rasps.

  “I’ll be heading out as well,” Dean finally speaks up as he moves to stand at the foot of the bed. “As for your job at Sinners Cove, I’d like to offer you a new position. Instead of dancing, why don’t you be the trainer for the girls. You know they love when you give them tips, so how about a couple days a week you come to work with them? Besides, your ol’ man here would less likely commit murder with this offer.”

  Dean chuckles to himself as he leaves the room. He doesn’t even wait for me to answer him. This whole thing is way too much right now. I’ll have to think about it once I get out of here. I mean, I love to dance. It’s freeing when I’m up there swaying my hips to the music, lifting myself into the air, giving myself the sense of being able to do anything.

  “Babe,” Badger says, drawing my attention to him as he gently slides me over enough for him to get in the bed with me. Once he has us situated the way he wants, his arm is over my shoulders and my head is leaning against his. How perfect this would be if I were any other person. Badger will realize soon enough I’m not worth any of this hassle.

  “I know everything feels like you’re being thrown through one loop to another. I’ve been where you are, Honey, and I’m gonna be here for you,” he murmurs into the quiet room. “You can be mad, throw a fit, do what you need to feel better, but do it when I get you home. Where you have the space to do it. And no one can see when you let loose the hatred inside you.”

  Tears fill my eyes as I listen to the sincerity of his words. The way he spoke those words, I believe him. I’ll always believe what he says, though there’s a difference in mind over matter. You have to be able to prove the words with actions.

  Chapter Twelve

  Badger

  How do people do this? Be with someone. This shit is fuckin’ harder than I thought it would be, but damn if she’s not worth it. It’s been three weeks since Jordan was released from the hospital. Three weeks of her being in my house. A house I’d bought to be my solace when I needed peace from the club. From the whores wanting to touch me.

  Some days, it seems like it was a good idea to bring her to my house. Then there are days like today when it’s the worst thing I could have done.

  It’s my birthday today. A day I can’t stand to think of. All it does is bring back the past for me, memories of what she did. O
f all the whispered words about our little secret only to have her be hateful at the same time. Of the constant trepidation of what to expect next.

  You know when you’re no more than a child, that’s when the most damage can be done. Because as a child, you don’t know the difference between right and wrong until shown. That’s what parents are for— to teach you which way to go in life.

  What my mom did was make it out to be something I needed to do. That is was normal for her to do those things. To call it exercise.

  Then you go to school and learn that your life isn’t at all like it should be. Where the mom gives hugs and kisses, not gropes and groans. Where the mom bakes cookies for their children instead of shoving blue pills down their throats.

  From the time my dad went to jail until I was eleven, my life was a living hell. Even before he went, it wasn’t great. She’d wait until he went to work to do unthinkable things to me. At the time, I didn’t know it was wrong, though, so of course, I listened to my mom because I thought she loved me.

  Love me, ha yeah, if that’s what parenting is, then she sure as fuck deserves mother of the year.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Blinking at the question, I turn my head to focus on Jordan, who I didn’t even realize had come into the kitchen where I’d been sitting, hovering on the brink of darkness. Her hair is still damp from the shower.

  Another thought I don’t need in my head right now. Just the thought of her standing naked under the spray of the shower, soaking in the heat of the water as her nipples become little spikes as she runs her hands over her body . . .

  Fuck, I need to stop right there.

  Clearing my throat, I turn away from her to adjust my dick in my pants without her seeing. That’s the last thing she needs to see right now— me with a hard-on for her when she’s still trying to overcome the trauma her douchebag of a father put her through all these years.