Now, I'm left staring at my brother's amused face. He chuckles once more. "Come on, man. Let's get your naked ass to the bathroom. Just make sure you keep your dick to yourself."
I glance down and quietly apologize to my dick. Sorry dude. I look at Logan. "I can't help that he hasn't gotten the no-go for launch memo. He has a mind of his own. My disappointment hasn't caught up to him yet."
Sliding my legs over the side of the bed, I use the bedside table for support to help me stand. I'm determined. If in order for me to get some head or some pussy means I need to get better, then I'm going to speed up the process somehow.
Logan reaches to put his hand under my arm.
"Unless I look like I'm about to pass out, let me do this on my own," I tell him steadying myself.
"You got it," he nods knowing I need to do this myself.
With every step, my knees burn and feel like they are about to buckle from the piercing pain, but I grit my teeth and bear through it. I make it all the way to the bathroom before using the wall to lean on while the water warms up. Logan stands just outside the open bathroom door as I step into the shower. The instant the hot water hits my skin I close my eyes, and my shoulders sag. The warmth feels good.
I grab the bottle of shampoo. Finding it painful to apply pressure to my fingertips to open it, I cave and ask for assistance. "Logan?"
"Yeah?"
"Dammit," I mumble to myself, "I can't open the shampoo."
He doesn't say a word. That's one thing about Logan—about all my brothers; they won't make a big fuss out of what has happened. Not that what happened wasn't a big deal, but we won't dwell on it. It happened. I survived. Most important our family is safe.
His hand reaches in and grabs the bottle. With his thumb, he flicks the top open and squeezes some shampoo in the palm of my hand.
As best as I can, I scrub the soap through my hair using mostly my palms. Standing under the spray of water, I let the soap wash down the rest of my body. It's not the best of showers, but I'm feeling invigorated just by being clean. I'm finally able to remove the stench of the Reapers I've been smellin' for days. As soon as I turn the water off, Logan hands me a towel. I feel good, but I'm exhausted, and my stomach growls telling me I'm hungry.
I dry myself then wrap the towel around my waist before stepping out. I wouldn't mind getting a look at my face but there isn't a mirror in the bathroom, so I shuffle out back towards the bed and find some clothes folded in a pile near the foot.
"I had Bella grab you some clothes. Emerson is in the kitchen. She wanted to help your mom make lunch." Logan takes a seat in the chair on the other side of the room.
"I hope I can keep some food down because my stomach feels like it's about to eat itself. What are my ladies cookin' up today?" I ask. Grunting, I lifted my foot and try to figure out how to pull up my pants without my sore fingers catching on the fabric.
Logan stands, "your mom is showing her how to make your favorite." Without asking, he kneels and pulls my pants up to my knees, "stand up, brother." Placing my hand on his shoulder, I push myself to stand. Because I'm going commando Logan turns his head to avoid being dick slapped and pulls them up the rest of the way. He doesn't miss a beat and moves the conversation along. "She's showing her how to make BBQ meatloaf. The other women are seeing after all the kids since they finally get to play outside."
Emerson couldn't be more perfect. "Perfect."
"What do ya say we wrap those ribs and go upstairs?" Logan reaches over and snatches a clean elastic bandage from a shelf beside the nightstand. After he finishes, I carefully pull a white shirt over my head, and we make our way up the stairs leading to the common room.
It finally dawns on me as we pass the room we sometimes have to handle unethical business in that I haven't inquired about what became of the Reapers, or anything to do with the club finding me. "When do I get the deets on what went down the other night?" I ask as we climb the stairs. By the time we've reached the top my knees are on fire again.
"Soon, brother," he doesn't elaborate any further.
As soon as I clear the last step and move further into the room, the sound of my sister squealing my name catches my attention. Peering across the room, I watch her run towards me, and I brace for impact. She slams into my stomach and throws her arms around my waist. I have to catch my breath. "Hey, KitKat," I say through a grunt.
"Realizing I'm in pain she quickly releases her hold on me. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry," her eyes fill with tears.
"Come here," I hug her. "Don't apologize, and don't you dare cry."
"I was—" she hiccups through sobs, "I'm so glad you're okay," she sniffles.
"Me too kiddo," I don't sugar coat it by telling her otherwise.
I'm happy I'm here too.
"Hey, Quinn," Remi says walking over. She's been my sister's rock and from what mom and dad have said she's helped my sister a lot over the past few days.
"Come here, kid," I open my arm for her to join Kat and I hug them both.
One thing I don't notice are the rest of the men. "Logan, where are the rest of the guys?"
"On the backside of the property. They should be showing up in a minute," he reaches into the cooler back behind the bar and pulls out a cold beer, then takes a seat on a barstool. Okay? The only thing on the backside of the property is the old barn with a rusted-out tin roof. It's original to the place. The property behind the clubhouse was once farmland. However, we don't use it for anything, and it leaves me curious.
Kissing the girls on top of their heads, I release them and wait for them to skip back across the room to where they were before. Just as I'm about to ask Logan why the guys were out there, the front door swings open letting in the afternoon sun.
"Damn, brother. It's good to see you movin' around," Prez strides over and clasps his hand on my shoulder.
"That goes for us as well," Reid echoes the same sentiments as he gestures to the rest of the men behind him, which includes our brothers from the Louisiana chapter.
"Quinn," Prez waves a hand towards the back of the crowd and a face I don't recognize steps forward. "I want to introduce you to Ian. If it wasn't for this man, we might not have found you," he says the last part with a crack in his voice.
Ignoring the fact my hands are throbbing from all the activity today, I stick out my hand. "Thanks, I owe ya."
"You don't owe me anything, friend," he shakes my hand.
Logan passes beers around. I don't join them. Not because I don't want to share a drink with my brothers, but I can't have one due to the medication I'm taking.
"I hate that we can't stick around, brother," Riggs walks up and greets me with a handshake, "but we need to get on the road."
The magnitude of the past few days hits me like a punch to the gut as I look at every face of every brother standing in the room with me. All of them rallied together for me. I stand here with no words to properly thank them, but I know no words are need.
A few minutes later, lunch is announced and served outside. I welcome the warmth of the sun as we sit and eat. As I'm biting into my meal, I feel a tug on my shirt. Looking down, I take in Ava holding a box in her tiny hands. I'm close with all the kids in the family, but Ava here thinks her Uncle Quinn put the stars in the sky just for her. Not that I told her so or anything.
"Hey, princess."
With a serious look on her face, Ava doesn't wait for me to scoop her up. She places the box next to my plate and without a word climbs onto my lap. "Uncle Quinn, I have a present for you."
Mila and Reid happen to be sitting across from Emerson and me. Mila smiles at her daughter then explains. "She heard you were sick and trying to get better, so she used some of her bad word money—" Ava interrupts her mom. "I have a lot of bad word money too," she confirms bobbing her head, which causes everyone to laugh including myself.
"She used some of it to buy you something," Mila finishes.
Ava's hands clasp together with excitement as I push my plate to the sid
e and lift the lid off the box. Inside underneath mounds of pink tissue paper lays a teddy bear—A teddy bear that looks almost identical to hers except he's wearing a tiny leather cut. I pick it up. All the women gasp at the same time followed by the sounds of "Aww."
Turning the bear over, I take in The Kings Logo on the back of the tiny vest. I blow out a breath to ward off the emotions trying to break free.
"My Mr. Pickles always helps me feel better, and he helped daddy. Now you can have your own Mr. Pickles," Ava assures me. I have to swallow several times past the knot in my throat.
"I love it," I tell her and hug her close. "I feel better already."
With lunch over, Riggs and his men head out. Ian didn't stick around long either and left shortly after. It's been a long day, and my body is feeling it. Emerson notices me rubbing my head.
"You ready to lay down. You've pushed yourself a lot today," she looks at me with concern.
I tug on the belt loop of her jeans and bring her to stand between my legs. "I'm okay, Sunshine."
"You sure?"
Peering around her, I notice Prez, Logan, Gabriel, and Reid, walking towards us. In Jake's hand—My cut. Emerson turns her head to see what I'm looking at, then turns back around. "I'm going to go inside and help the women get all these kids bathed and ready for bed." Kissing me, she takes her leave.
"I have somethin' that belongs to you," Jake announces.
He waits for me to stand then helps me slide it on. It smells freshly cleaned. I smooth it out. The weight of it feels good on my back and shoulders. Then I remember the bullet. The one I never got the chance to use. Reaching into the inside pocket, I dig around shocked to find it still there and pull it out. Holding it between my fingers, I study it.
"We got somethin' to show you. Walk around to the front and hop in Reid's truck, and hold onto that bullet," Logan says.
I trust my brothers. I don't ask why. I make my way to the truck and climb in. The others pile in the back, and we take off towards the backside of the property straight towards the old barn. Grey and Blake are standing outside of it.
"Before we go in. I'll tell you now, that the other fuckin' Reapers are dead," Prez informs me.
I look at him. "All of them?"
"All but one."
"Twiggy?" I question and hope he says yes.
He nods.
"We may have had a little fun with him," Logan confesses with a grin.
"But he's still alive," Gabriel grunts.
"You want us to come in with you?" Prez asks.
I don't hesitate, "I do." My brothers are what it means to be family and we have each other's back. Always a united front.
Grey swings the rickety door open, and the hinges make an ominous sound as if the old place knows what is about to happen. Tied to a chair in the middle of the barn is Twiggy himself. Blood and bruises mar his face. Surprised to see me his eyes widen.
"Who killed their President?" I ask.
"I did," Prez speaks.
The thing is, I don't remember a hell of a lot. None of it matters anymore, because I'm here and the Satans Reapers aren't, and the last one is about to fall.
Gabriel reaches inside his cut and pulls my revolver out and places the handle in my hand. I grip it. My fingertips pulsate with every beat of my heart, but I push the pain to the back of my mind.
I don't take my eyes off Twiggy. I don't say a word.
He doesn't speak. He doesn't plead for his life.
Wouldn't make a difference if he did.
I've done some bad things in my life, and I'm about to do another.
With the men standing behind me I don't have to justify my reasons. They let me choose for myself. With the flick of my wrist the cylinder pops out, and I slide the bullet I'm holding between my fingers into the chamber. Closing the cylinder, I raise my arm.
Staring down the barrel of my .44 Magnum I pull the trigger.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Emerson
It's been nearly a week since Quinn was rescued. Once his fever broke, and he was through the worst of the withdrawal effects the heroin had on him, we haven't been able to keep him down. I for one am surprised. Those assholes had been pumping his veins full of heroin for seven days. That for Quinn has been the toughest part about the whole ordeal to deal with. Quinn will be the first to tell you he's no saint when it comes to his health. He has on occasion smoked weed and he smokes cigarettes, but he has not once delved into the heavy stuff. Quinn said he could handle a lot of shit, but not being able to have control over his own body is not one of them. I am so proud of the way he has been walking through his recovery. In true Quinn fashion, he has taken the situation by the balls.
Feeling strong arms snake around my middle, I look over my shoulder and smile at the handsome man laying next to me in bed. "Mornin', Sunshine."
"Good morning." Rolling over to face Quinn I ask, "how did you sleep? You in any pain?"
"Yes, I'm in a lot of pain.
Sitting up in bed, I pull back the blanket and begin to frantically look over his body from head to toe. "What—where? Tell me where it hurts." Taking my hand Quinn places my palm over his very hard and very noticeable erection.
"I hurt right here, Dr. Pretty. My cock is in desperate need of your expertise." Glaring at him, I pinch his side. "No! You are in no condition to even be thinking about sex. You need to heel."
"Come on, Sunshine. I promise to lay very still and not exert myself while you rub one out for me."
I shake my head, "you're too much. What am I going to do with you?" Just as Quinn is about to answer my question, I cut him off before something smart comes out of his mouth. "Don't answer that."
"Come on, babe," he wines. "It's been too long."
"I said no. Now come on, let's go downstairs for some breakfast. You know Bella has something good waiting for your spoiled ass."
With the mention of food, Quinn's face lights up and his quest for sex is forgotten. "Hell, yeah. It's waffles and bacon today. I put my request in last night," he says climbing out of bed. I swear sometimes I don't know what Quinn likes more, sex or food. "It's sex, babe. Although, food is a very close second. It's neck and neck," he answers me.
I didn't realize I had mumbled that out loud. I narrow my eyes at him and go to say something back but stop when I see he has a spaced out, faraway look on his face. "What's that goofy look for?"
"I was thinking about you naked, on my bed on all fours, wearing a chef's hat while I eat cake off your luscious ass.Then, I want to smear icing all over you and lick it off before I fill your tight pussy with my cock."
"Sometimes, Quinn—I have no words."
"Well, you asked, babe."
"Yeah, I should know better by now," I say walking out of the bedroom with Quinn laughing behind me.
When Quinn and I make it downstairs, and into the kitchen, he announces his presence. "Well, I'm here. What are your next two wishes?"
Bella turns from where she's frying bacon at the stove and gives him a megawatt smile. "Good morning you two."
Striding towards Bella, Quinn places his hand on her shoulder and kisses the top of her head. "Mornin', darlin'."
I don't miss the tears in Bella's eyes as she pats his hand. Bella and Quinn have a close relationship. Bella often refers to Quinn and the other men in the club as the brothers she never had. "Food is almost done. You guys get some coffee and have a seat."
"I'll get it," Ember jumps in. "You two can go on out and sit with the rest of the family, and I'll bring the coffee. I believe everyone is already out there." After giving Ember a warm smile and thanks, we make our way out to the main room where everyone is seated, and conversation is flowing. The entire extended family is still here. Even though the threat of the other club is gone, the families wanted to stick around and see Quinn through his healing process. But with Quinn on the mend, the families will be returning home today.
Except for my brother. Easton left a couple of days ago. His manager was up
his ass, so I told him to quit worrying about me and go. He'd put his life on hold for me long enough, and his band was counting on him. We all decided on a family breakfast before they do.
Before Quinn and I take our seats, there is a round of greetings from all the brothers. Vicky stands, and gives her son a hug, followed by Kat. A few minutes later Bella along with Raine and Ember emerge from the kitchen with the food. As breakfast is placed on the table and everyone has taken their seat, Jake, who is seated at the head of the table stands.
"I'd like to say a few words," he waits a beat gathering everyone's attention. "I started this club years ago because my life was missin' somthin'. Some people might look in from the outside and wonder how I could feel that way. I had my parents who loved me. I had friends, I had a job, and a place to lay my head at night. What could I be missin'? For anyone who's not been in my shoes or the shoes of any one of my brothers sittin' at this table, then you would never understand. All I know is I no longer feel incomplete. It's because of this club and the men I call my brothers." The men at the table nod their heads at Jake's declaration. "Quinn," Jake turns his attention to the man sitting next to me. "The Kings would not be The Kings without ya, brother. I knew you were somethin' special the first day you walked your skinny ass into my club. I knew by the gleam in your eyes you had found that something you were missin', just like the rest of us. It's the same look I once witnessed in Logan, Gabriel, Reid, and all the other men sittin' at this table. I'm glad you're home, brother."
Quinn squeezes my hand under the table and gives Jake a nod. "Thanks, Prez."
A moment later Jake continues, "as for our families, I want to say thank you for standing by our sides without protest and judgment. Lastly, I want to thank our old ladies. Our women are the backbones of our relationships. They stand by our sides and support us in everything we do. Every king needs a queen, and we have been blessed to have found ours."
Jake has just finished his speech when Grey interrupts us.
LOST KING: THE KINGS OF RETRIBUTION MC Page 19
