“Did he or they ever touch you, baby?” Crusher gritted out.
“No.” My single answered was at least enough for the two men to relax their hands while they sat waiting for me to continue. “After Clarice overdosed, he drank more and more, and he would stay gone for days, then I would come home from school and he would be there, back from wherever. Jacks and Creeper came over more often and a few times I was woken by loud voices because they would be fighting with each other. One night they were so loud that I could hear what they were arguing about and from then on I lived at Sami’s. Wild Bill never questioned me there. I never told him what they said or what I had seen before.”
“What were they talking about, Carly?” Speed’s fists were balled up again.
“Jacks and Creeper were yelling at Wallace about how he promised I would be Clarice’s replacement if they’d help him. They yelled they had done their part, now he needed to deliver on his promise. Wallace told them to keep their dicks in their pants that it was going to be soon. That’s when I went to Sami’s house and started staying there. I was around seventeen when Wild Bill found out about the takeover and Wallace and the others took off.”
Crusher whispered, “He’s a dead man.” I looked toward him. He wore the same face Speed did and his hands were balled into fist too. I focused back and continued.
“So he knew, I don’t know how and I don’t care. I could dance, because for years I worked not to be them. I know Clarice left you, Speed, trust me, you got the better deal there. I got stuck with her but it is nice to know Wallace isn’t my dad. From what I hear, you got the best there, Speed.”
“Thanks, Carly. And I understand, now you need to also. You never got to meet Cutter, our dad, but if he would have known about you, he would have done anything to get to you. There is a lot of him in you and I just noticed that sitting here listening to you talk and watching your facial expressions. I’m sorry for everything you had to put up with but I’m not sorry that all this has happened because it brought you here.”
I wiped at my eyes at his words, he was right, we had each other now, and fuck everything else. “Sami never had a chance, did she?” Speed smiled and got out of the chair and hugged me. I looked over to Crusher and he winked. Mentioning Sami reminded me, “Why are you here, Speed? Why didn’t you leave when Sami called you today?”
“Because Sami and Ally had a club watching out for them and you didn’t. They’re my family, Carly, but so are you.” I could only nod, I was going to enjoy every minute getting to know my brother.
“Speed’s going to head back with the others though and I am going to stay here until you are released,” Crusher said and I looked at Speed.
“Me and Coast will be back with a truck when you get released because no way you are going to be riding your bike for a while. You can ride in the truck and then Coast can ride your bike back. Until then, you will be in good hands.” Before I could do any protesting, Crusher and Speed did the man hug thing and he was gone and Crusher was back in the chair. My energy was gone and my body was yelling sleep but I couldn’t stop staring at him, leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed.
“Get some rest, baby. I’ll still be here when you wake and you can yell at me then.”
“You’re an ass.”
“I’m your ass. The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be.”
He was right, I could yell at him tomorrow. I closed my eyes.
Chapter Nine
Crusher
Carly slept through the night, if a little restlessly. Me, I dozed off and on, her every whimper had my eyes opening. I stayed in her room through the night and I would continue to as long as she was here. That had been an argument with the floor nurse, one I won when Jag called the administration and informed them that I was Ms. Monroe’s security and if they expected their rules to be followed, then they would need to sign the letter he would be glad to fax them saying they would take full responsibility if anything happened to Carly while in their care.
That was followed up by the local police captain’s call informing them the shooter hadn’t been apprehended and Ms. Monroe could still be in danger. That was enough, and she was going to have to deal with it. The thought of them getting to her in the hospital was unacceptable.
I shifted and looked at her. She was beautiful, and I didn’t give a shit if she protested, she was mine. Her eyes were closed and the soft breaths that were coming out of her mouth were tempting and the little noises she made were cute.
Sometime in the middle of the night I had had enough of the chair and moved to my current place of sharing Carly’s bed. I’d laid down on the side, slid my arm under her and shifted us to fit as comfortably as humanly possible in a bed made for one. Add in avoiding the IV line and all was good. Thank fuck my girl was out, ‘cause I had no doubt if she’d been woken up, there would have been an argument.
It wasn’t long after I joined her in the bed that she curled into me and I had slept the longest I had in one interval for months, only waking when her body would twitch, which I assumed was the pain making its presence known in her slumber. If I could take it all away for her I would.
My only problem with the current situation, was between her warm breath hitting my chest through my t-shirt and the small hand that started at my chest and rubbed back and forth and up and down, moving lower with each pass. My brain understood the woman beside me was injured and needed care, not mauled, but my dick evidently missed that message or ignored it because its state of being trapped behind my zipper, jumping every damn time the hand moved closer, reminded me that I was the one who put us both in this situation, which only pissed me off.
The nurse came in and I turned more toward Carly to hide the evidence of my arousal, her frown gave away her knowledge of my predicament, her whispered words verified it.
“Remember, she needs to curb her activity while she heals. She can’t get too worked up,” the nurse said, then walked out the room and pulled the door closed behind her.
The body beside me shook and the face pressed harder into my chest so the laughter couldn’t be heard.
“How long you been awake?” I tightened my arm around her.
“How long you been in my bed?” The woman I’ve known these months was back. I’d often wondered if she saw her own strength, her ability to see the light at the end no matter if the beginning was dark. She found the positive in a situation, and accepted the good and didn’t let the bad drag her down. She was mouthy, independent, hardheaded, and I wanted her to be mine in body and soul. I was patient, steadfast, and determined, she hadn’t had a chance. I just needed her to accept it.
“Not long enough, baby.” She pinched my side.
“I meant now. I don’t understand why you keep this up. We had sex, I walked out when I found out you were club because I’m not Sami, I don’t want club life, Crusher. I’ve spent a lot of time untangling myself from it.” She tried to untwine herself from me and I wouldn’t allow it. Her huffed breath showed her agitation.
“You’re wrong, Carly. You may not want club life, but the club is embedded in you. Why do you think you ran to Haven? And finding out about Speed, accepting it so easily, everything you’ve done to this point shows different.
“You distanced yourself from Stone, even your mother, it wasn’t because they were club or you never would have gone to Sami’s house. You were young and the shit that went on around you was wrong, but it had nothing to do with club, only the people. Fight it all you want, but the life will always be a part of you, that you can’t get rid of.
“Are you going to give up Sami and Ally? Going to distance yourself from Speed because of his affiliation with Black Hawk? You can’t have it both ways. You know it, and I know it, the difference—I’ve accepted club life and the part I will play in it—you haven’t.” I released her and got out of her bed.
“I’m not going to ignore Speed, but he is in the club, I’m not. It is the same with Sami and Ally, even the men at Hav
en. I went to Haven to find answers. I’ve built a life outside the club, Crusher, and you and no one else can make me come back to it.” She raised the bed putting herself into a sitting up position.
“Good to know about Speed, Sami, and Ally. And you didn’t run to Haven for answers, Carly, it was because the men have been and are your family. As far as making you come into club life, you’re right, no one can, but no one will have to either because you will do it on your own, just like I’m not going to pressure you to be with me, that too will be because you want there to be an us.”
“You are going to be waiting a long time if you think I am going to come to you.”
“I’m patient, Carly. And while I wait for you to catch up with me, I will be there, waiting.”
“Why, Crusher? Why are you doing all this? It was only one time, no one pushes so hard after one time with someone, so why?” Her frown told me, she had no clue, she would though.
“The first time was your body but, baby, your strength is what keeps me coming back.” I grabbed my bag and headed toward the bathroom in the room. Christ, I hoped it didn’t take her long to catch up with me.
Carly
When the bathroom door closed behind him, the tears came. I didn’t cry. I never cried. But what he said, OMG, who wouldn’t cry. The door pushed opened and the nurse came in with my tray and meds, until I saw her my leg pain hadn’t even registered. I wiped my eyes as she moved to the side of my bed, sat the tray down and handed me the cup that held the pills. I swallowed them down and then she did her thing: blood pressure, temperature, looking at the bandage and checking to see if the wrap wasn’t too tight. She gathered her things and then looked at me.
“Sweetie, my Elliot, he pursued me relentlessly and it took a good year before I would even go out with him. If he had said something like your young man just did at any time during his pursuit, I would have been the one to drag him to the altar because I would have been afraid that he would wake up on day and think me not worthy. Men like yours, don’t come around every day, those are the ones you just hold onto and let them take you on the ride of your life.”
“But why put up with a bossy, bullhead man who plows over you?” She smiled, then bent closer.
“Because when they focus it all on you, it’s a powerful feeling. Nothing better than young love, hon, well, maybe older lovin’.”
“Oh, we aren’t in love,” I said and she winked and walked toward the door.
“Denial is a wonderful thing.” She chuckled and pulled the door closed.
When Crusher came out of the bathroom I was eating my breakfast. He placed his bag back in the corner, then informed me he was going down to the cafeteria to grab coffee and some breakfast for himself and that he would be back in a bit. The door closed and he was gone and I suddenly felt alone.
After I finished eating, they’d returned to help me clean up and put on a new gown, then they took the tray away. What I would give for my t-shirt and shorts I usually slept in. The doctor came in no soon than I was back in bed. He asked questions on my pain level, un-bandaged my thigh and checked out his work, when it came time to tell me how long I would have to stay at the hospital, Crusher walked in.
“Doc, how is she?” Crusher said and walked to the opposite side of the bed the doctor was on.
“Wound looks good for just a day after surgery. It helps, Ms. Monroe, that you are young and in good shape, your healing time will be more expedient than for someone older. I will release you the day after tomorrow as long as there is no seepage and your pain stays moderate. When you are back in your hometown you will need to check in with your doctor there so he can continue to monitor your recovery and inform you when you will be able to start therapy. And before you argue that it is not going to be necessary, I will tell you it will be. The muscle will have to be built back from lack of use. Do you have any questions, Ms. Monroe?”
“How soon will I be able to go back to work?” I hoped it wasn’t out too long, I had some savings to tide me over but not for an extended time.
“At a minimum, a month, and after your doctor feels you can return, it will be to light duty.”
“You mean behind a desk?” Damn, if that wouldn’t be some boring shit.
“Ms. Monroe, though your injury is now on the mend, it was a very serious injury you sustained. The femoral was nicked, if it had been larger in size, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” I looked at Crusher who was staring back at me. I nodded then thanked the doctor, never taking my eyes off Crusher. He broke the eye contact and shook the doctor’s hand, asking a few question of his own that I didn’t pay attention because I was busy thinking of everything I could have lost or never experienced. Crusher was at the top of the list.
Crusher turned back to me and his eyebrows drew together, “You hurting, baby?”
“No, just tired. Will you um...lay with me?” He didn’t answer my question, he just moved to my uninjured side and laid down, pulling me into his arms. I laid my head on his chest and let his heartbeat lull me to sleep.
Chapter Ten
Crusher
“I’m not staying at your house. I’ll be fine on my own.” Carly argued, again.
The last two days at the hospital had been relaxing. We talked, laughed, and really got to know each other. I told her about my time in the Army, she told me stories about growing up at Haven. We told each other the most basic stuff, like favorite color, foods, cars, bikes, sports even. My girl liked football. I asked why and she said without pause that nothing beat a butt in those uniform pants. She even laughed at me when I growled.
At night I laid down with her and she curled into me as if we’d being sleeping like that for years. I’d slept too and felt rested and more energized than I had even before going into the military.
Carly smiled when the guys showed up with truck. She’d even joked with Coast about riding her bike. She’d been so agreeable the last two days that I’d wondered if I’d lost my feisty girl. Then after an hour in the truck, she was back, I couldn’t hold in the grin. This side of my woman had me shifting a little in the driver’s seat. Being a gentleman and giving her the time to heal could possibly kill me.
“Are you even listening to me, Crusher? You’re going home and I am staying at my place. There is no need for you to stay with me. And why the fuck are you grinning?”
Oh yeah, I may have to stop at the next exit and take care of my problem, I reached down and pulled at the crotch of my jeans, anything to give my swelling dick more room.
“Oh my God, do you have a hard-on? Put that sucker away. How can you even think of that when I am yelling at you?” I glanced over and she was staring at my crotch, which didn’t help one bit because the bastard liked her eyes on him even if it was behind the jeans.
“You don’t need to be alone, it would be easier for me if you stayed at my house so I could work at the shop without having to drive to Black Hawk, but I will do it for you. Do you need to stop? Are you hurting or do you want something to drink, baby?”
“Stop being so nice, where is the grouchy man who barks orders at me? At least then I could have a decent argument and not feel like I am talking to myself.”
“Come here.” I laid my one arm over the back of the seat so she could scoot in the middle and with the Escalade’s bench seat she’d be able to prop her leg up on the seat. She looked at my arm then back to my crotch.
“I’m not getting anywhere close to that, it might break free and I will be trapped.”
“You didn’t complain when he was tucked in behind your ass in the hospital. You got more on now than you did there. He was riding your crack since the hospital gown had no back and you weren’t wearing any panties, which brings me to ask why since I brought your saddlebags in the room with your extra clothes.”
“I told you I didn’t wash them at Wild Bill’s house, the ones in there were dirty.” I looked over at her again and grinned.
“Stop it, there is nothing funny.” She crossed her
arms over her chest and turned her face to look out the window.
We rode for a while in the quiet until Speed rode up beside the truck and signaled they wanted to stop. I nodded and he dropped backed.
“Good, we are stopping, I need to use the restroom.”
“I would have stopped at any time, all you had to do was tell me, instead of pouting.”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
I burst out laughing and she turned toward me. I glanced over at her while I pulled to a stop at the bottom of the exit.
“You, baby, make a terrible patient.” Her lips twitched and her eyes shined.
“No, I’m not.” And she couldn’t hold it any longer and laughed too. The honk of a horn had me look in the rearview mirror at the others with their hands held up in the ‘what the fuck’ sign. I rolled down the window, turned toward the gas station, and flipped them off all at the same time. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much fun on a road trip. The only thing I regretted was the circumstances that placed us there.
I pulled to the front of the place so Carly didn’t have far to walk and parked. I watched her as she walked into the store.
“Fuckin’ A. Another one is down,” Coast said standing by my window.
“I think so, man,” I said, then turned to look at him when Carly was out of sight.
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