Xerox

by Esther E. Schmidt

  “Nothing, there’s nothing. Fuuuuuuck.” My eyes flash open at the sound of Mike’s desperate voice. “She’s dead, isn’t she? No…fuck. No.” His hands are gripping his hair.

  “Hey,” I growl, before throwing his exact words back at him. “Snap out of it.”

  His eyes bounce from me to his sister and back.

  There. Hell yes. “I got a pulse, it’s weak, but it’s there.”

  Maci is still unconscious, but she’s got a fucking heartbeat so I’m gonna make damn sure she’s going to pull through.

  “I found this.” Tracy’s voice makes me switch my gaze to her. “They probably drugged her the second they got the chance to.” She’s holding up her phone showing us a picture she took of a syringe that’s on the ground near Nancy’s body.

  Got a chance to do so. Right. Because my Old Lady fights like hell. The first time I met her she punched my eye shut. My gaze slides over her battered body. Several cuts litter her face where blood has been flowing freely, showing those guys got a few punches in. Her hands show signs she gave back just as good.

  Fuck. Two guys. She faced two guys on her own, probably witnessing Nancy getting liquidated in the process. Hearing footsteps and more shouting, I watch as EMTs come rushing toward us. Stepping back, I take Mike with me to give them the room to help his sister. My woman.

  I grab my phone from my pocket and shove it in Mike’s hand. “Call it in. Get Corban to come over here with a few other guys. ASAP. Tell him to set up a meeting. I want everybody at the fucking table tomorrow morning.”

  Mike tears his eyes away from his sister. The boy has been through enough already and to face this? Fuck. He needs his mind working on other stuff. Although he seems to handle it like a strong man standing tall, he’s bound to be tearing up inside.

  Tracy steps toward me. “Can we talk for a sec?”

  I glance to Mike, who’s firing off words into my phone. We both stalk a little further down the alley, away from prying ears.

  Tracy starts to talk, keeping her voice low. “The one that got away was Nero’s second in command. Did you see?”

  “Fuck,” I growl. “No. I had my eye on the other guy.”

  “Just so we’re on the same page and all…that guy raised his gun first, okay? That’s why I took the kill shot.” Tracy pins me with her gaze.

  I glance behind me to see the dead guy she’s talking about, his gun lying on the ground next to him. “Damn straight. That’s the only fucking truth and you know it. He was gonna kill all of us if you didn’t react like you did.”

  The fucker wasn’t pointing, let alone holding his gun. It was tucked in the back of his jeans because he was holding his fucking dick in hand, ready to rape….

  “Hey.” Tracy grabs my forearm. “We got there in time. That’s what matters.”

  I stare at her hand. Damn. I can’t even let my mind trail off what would have happened if we didn’t intervene or stumbled into the scene minutes later.

  “I’m gonna get him. No worries,” Tracy vows, yet her voice is barely a whisper.

  I’m sure I wasn’t even supposed to hear her words, but when my gaze hits hers, I see the venom swirling around in there.

  “That we are.” My agreement, and the emphasis on the ‘we’ makes her nod.

  Good. She got the message, because I’m not gonna play by any fucking rules involving the law. Fuck the rules. Retaliation is what I live for.

  “Now go and hop in the ambulance with your woman. I’ll call if…”

  A thought comes to mind from the last time she reached out to us, picking the top number of the three listed phone numbers of the card I gave her. Agent Tracy stepped up just now, giving me a side of her that makes me appreciate her on a whole other level. Might be good to tie her to the club.

  Time for a little matchmaking. “Make sure you ask for Barlow. He’s the one you called earlier, he’ll be your contact from now on.”

  A man jogs our way and leans in to tell Tracy something. She gives me a quick nod as a silent acknowledgement before she gives the man her full attention, allowing me to get back to my woman. Just in time because they are loading her into the ambulance.

  Stepping inside, I glance at Mike one more time. His face is filled with worry. “You okay to handle it here?”

  He throws his shoulders back, his face turns serious, and he gives me a tight nod. “Yes.” That single word is filled with determination. Mike swallows. “Take care of her.” His voice cracks at the end.

  “She will never leave my side again,” I vow. To him, but mainly to myself.

  Chapter Eight

  ***Maci***

  My brain is so fuzzy, it’s a struggle to open my eyes and escape from my sleep. The first thing I feel when I wake up isn’t pain. I feel powerless. Everything happening around me is out of my hands. There’s nothing I can do that allows me to get a grip on things. It’s like oil. Spreading everywhere while my control slips. Fear grips me while I fight like hell, fight whatever this is. Then suddenly the pain hits and it makes my head throb.

  “Lay back down, gorgeous.” I hear Xerox’s voice soften before I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder. “That’s it.”

  That’s it. Those words echo in my head. Except they were voiced by a different person and with a sneer. They were the last thing I heard before the sharp sting in my neck…everything is fuzzy…panic sets in. Flashes fill my brain with what happened before those words were said. Fight or flight slams through me as a scream rips from my lips as my arms swing, my body moves, and my ass hits the floor. Hard.

  “Goddammit. Why do you always have to hit my brown eye, huh?” Xerox. That’s his voice that makes words laced with a hint of anger flow through the air.

  I’m safe. He did come for me. When those two guys grabbed me and Nancy and pulled us into that alley, I kept telling myself that he would somehow know they took us. That he would be there.

  “Come closer and I’ll gladly shut that blue one too,” I mutter, and add. “damn baboon.” Internally, I’m smiling.

  This is exactly what I need instead of the soft treatment he gave a moment ago. Xerox scoops me up and places me back in bed at the exact moment a nurse enters the room.

  “What did you do?” The nurse scowls as she checks my IV and vitals.

  The dirty looks she gives Xerox indicates the question was for him, not me.

  His left eyebrow raises. “Hey, she punched me in the eye and jumped off the bed, even wants to shut my other one too.”

  “I like it when my guy has blue eyes…I keep trying to change the brown one but it only stays blue for a very short time.” I wink at the nurse when she gasps at my words.

  “You know,” the nurse addresses me as she throws her stethoscope around her neck. “Couples who have those kind of heated discussions tend to flame between the sheets. I don’t want any fire in this room. Get my drift?”

  Shit. Did she just…?

  Xerox snorts but his face flashes to serious with his next breath. “A quick fuck in the hospital isn’t something I’d do to my Old Lady. Get my drift.”

  I shake my head. “Oooookay. I think you need to leave.”

  The nurse puts her hands on her hips and clearly waits for Xerox to leave the room.

  “I meant you, ma’am. No offense, but my man isn’t leaving my side.” Okay. I sound pathetic. Like a girl clinging to her man.

  The nurse gasps and stomps all the way out of the room. I have to swallow. Dammit. My fingers tremble and I’m getting slightly nauseous. My emotions are clearly an added impact on my body, and yet I’m more worried to look Xerox in the eye after I went all clingy girlfriend.

  Fingers slide underneath my chin, tilting my head so our gazes lock. Instead of letting him guide my head, I rip it away. A growl rumbles through the room as I feel both sides of the bed dip. Shit. His hands are on both sides of my head while he leans in close. I have no other option but to face him.

  “There’s nothing that makes my dick harder than to hear my
woman voice her thoughts, claiming me the way you did just now. Don’t ever hide your feelings or your face from me.” He keeps staring at me. His pupils are starting to fill up, swallowing everything and only displaying the black swirl of desire.

  “Remember now,” I breathe. “No fire in this room.”

  “Darlin’,” he brushes his nose along mine, “we’d burn down the whole damn hospital if we’d flame up these sheets. But I need for you to rest up. Those fuckers injected you with some kind of drugs. They’re still running tests. And you took quite a beating defending yourself…”

  He pushes off the bed and shrugs a hand through his hair.

  “Nancy…” I whisper.

  Xerox’s gaze hits the ground, his shoulders sag. “Yeah.”

  “I couldn’t do anything. They dragged us into that alley…I didn’t even get a chance to help him…they…” My throat closes up. Dammit.

  I close my eyes and I can still see it happening. I was kicking and trying to free myself. His grip slipped and I got a few good punches in before he clocked me in the eye. Spinning, my gaze went to my left and I saw how that guy threw Nancy to the ground and fired his gun. It was unreal. I was so shocked it made me freeze up for a second. That’s when I heard the guy talk and the sharp sting in my neck. Then everything faded away.

  Xerox shakes his head. “I should have been there. I should never have…”

  “Yeah, well…shoulda, coulda…backtracking doesn’t get us anywhere else but where we are now. So, like I said, you’re not leaving my side. Somehow, I knew deep down you’d come for me. And if something would have gone terribly wrong, then you’d be there for my brothers. That’s what gave me the strength…”

  He steps closer and leans back in. “Darlin’ you already possess every fucking bit of strength your body can hold. You’re the strongest woman I know, and I’m damn proud to call you mine.”

  His lips brush over mine when I hear the door open.

  The nurse’s voice from before fills the room. “I said no…”

  “Suck it,” Xerox growls against my lips.

  “Pretty sure that she just said I can’t.” I wink at my man…and shit, that hurts. “Ouch.” I bring my hand to my face.

  “Move.” The nurse slaps Xerox on his biceps. “Let me see you before the doctor comes to check on you. I’ve informed him you were awake, so he’ll be here soon. He can order something for the pain.”

  “No,” I snap. “No more drugs.”

  The nurse shrugs her shoulders. “The doctor will be the…”

  “I said no. I’m my own freaking boss, and I’m fine. In fact, I’m ready to get out of here, get myself a nice hot shower, and get into my own bed…well, my Old Man’s bed, and get a few hours of sleep.” I seethe at the annoying nurse.

  “Well, sounds like someone feels better,” a voice from the doorway states as all our heads turn.

  “Doctor Webbers,” the nurse greets with a sweet tone.

  The man in his late fifties steps into the room. His hair is a salt and pepper version of Elvis’ hair. With a strong jaw and his appearance he looks more like someone you would find in a garage fixing cars, trucks, or motorcycles, instead of spending his time in an OR fixing…uhmmm…people.

  “Jake,” Xerox greets the doctor as they shake hands.

  “Xerox. I finished your bike this morning. When are you going to swing by?”

  Wait…what?

  My eyes widen as the words automatically stumble from my lips. “So, you do fix bikes and people?”

  Both males in the room chuckle.

  Shit. “That was supposed to stay inside my head.”

  The nurse leans in and whispers, “Dr. Webbers has that kind of effect on people.”

  This time she doesn’t seem so annoying and I reward her with a smile. I’m the one who’s been cranky while she was just in here doing her job, putting me first and looking after my needs.

  “Okay, let’s check out your other girl,” Jake says, strolling over to the left side of my bed.

  Cranky spiking back into my system. “His other girl?” I growl.

  “My bike, gorgeous,” Xerox tells me with a smirk on his face. “My bike is my other girl.”

  “Call it a bike then, dammit,” I snap.

  Jake raises his eyebrow. “Bad time to mention he named her Gloria then?”

  “What?” I growl, yet again. “She’s got a freaking name?” Holy shit. I’m jealous about a bike? Seriously, Maci? Ugh, get a grip.

  “We’ll discuss it later,” Xerox snaps.

  “No, we won’t.” I glare at him. And that takes some effort because my face hurts and Jake is poking me, well…checking me, but it feels like poking.

  After a moment, and some more poking around, Jake seems to be done examining me.

  I try to put up my sweetest voice and address Jake. “Can I go home now?”

  Jake grabs the file that was lying at my feet and glances over some papers. “If Xerox will keep an eye on you, then yes. But only if you stick with your own advice; get in bed and get a few hours sleep.”

  I release a deep breath, glad to hear I can get out of here. I feel icky, my head throbs, as well as my hands…like I said, a hot shower, a bed, and some hours of sleep. That’s what I need.

  It takes some time to get everything set and it’s close to midnight before we finally arrive at the clubhouse. Xerox opens the passenger door and lifts me out of the truck.

  “I can walk on my own, you know,” I grumble, while making no attempt to remove myself from his grip. Instead, I snuggle tighter against him and nuzzle his neck.

  “I know, gorgeous, I know. Indulge me for a day or two, okay?” I hear his voice rumble through his chest.

  The door of the clubhouse opens. There’s no music, or other people, around for that matter. It’s completely empty. Well, except for Barlow, who opened the door for us.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask while glancing over the room.

  Xerox places a kiss on my head. “Everyone turned in early. I told Corban to make sure no one’s alone.”

  “What about Barlow?” I wonder, as he walks toward the bar where a lone bottle of beer is waiting on him.

  “He’s on watch. Don’t worry about him. And your brothers are taken care of too. Let me spoil you for tonight so we can face tomorrow well rested. We’re gonna need it.” Xerox pushes the door to his room open with his back before he turns and walks over to the bed.

  My ass hits the mattress as Xerox walks back to close and lock the door. “I’m gonna run a bath for you.”

  “No…thanks. I think I’d go for a quick shower instead. I’m so damn tired.” I sigh as I strip out of my clothes.

  Xerox stalks over to the bathroom. Another breath later, I hear water running. I make my way over and see he’s already naked underneath the shower.

  “Come here, darlin’.” His hand goes around my wrist, giving it a slight pull to guide me flush against his delicious body.

  His fingers are the softest of touch when he takes care of me. I feel safe, treasured, like I can leave everything to him. I gladly surrender to the trust and love he surrounds me with. It’s like a dream that’s over way too soon when I find myself between clean sheets, washed up and dried off, tucked into bed. Strong arms move my body so I’m being pulled flush against him. I feel Xerox’s lips on the top of my head as I drift off to sleep.

  Chapter Nine

  ***Xerox***

  I should be swallowed by guilt. Guilt because of the fact that I was the one who told Nancy and Maci to stand there. Allowing for them to get taken…for Nancy to die…for Maci to get hurt. Fuck. If we were a minute or two later…I can’t even think what would have…

  So, fuck guilt. I am fueled with anger. Nero, his second in command, his whole damn crew is going down. In. The. Fucking. Ground. Retaliation will come with a magnitude that will make this whole town shake on its foundation.

  Anger ebbs away when I feel her fingers slide over my abs. Damn. One touch and
this woman can diminish the negative and fuel a whole lot of different emotions through my body. Maci snuggles tighter against me. Her leg shifts and because she’s now draped over my body, my dick is pressing against the inside of her thigh.

  Shit. I knew I should have put some clothes on her when I carried her to bed after our shower. I had her delicious body curled tight against me all night. I only had a few hours of sleep, but it was enough rest for my body. My mind is a whole different matter. Seems the only thing that can distract it is the precious woman that’s covering me.

  But shit. She needs to stop grinding her hips. I’ve been waiting too damn long to bury myself deep inside her and claim her the right way. Add the stuff she went through yesterday? I could have fucking lost her. I have to keep myself in check. At first I wanted to get to know each other before we added the sex part. The pull we have, the reaction of my body with just one glance…damn. I know I won’t be able to contain myself the first time my cock enters her cunt. It will be raw and intense.

  Dammit. That exact thought is what I’ve been battling every damn time she’s close. It’s even worse when I taste her. She melts against me, perfectly, as if she’s been put in my arms to complete me.

  “Gorgeous. Stop humping me,” I groan and spread my fingers across her ass to keep her in place.

  “But you feel so good,” she mutters.

  My hand slides over that tight ass and up her spine, then returns to slide back and dip down in the heat between her legs. Soaked.

  “Ah, that’s the reason you’re dry humping me, darlin’? Trying to find release? You know what the Doc said, right? You have to take it easy.” One of my fingers enters her and I have to bite the inside of my cheek. “Damn, you feel perfect. Even the thought of having you wrapped around my cock has my balls drawn up, ready to burst and wanting to brand you on the inside with my cum.”

  Her lips travel over my nipple before the sexiest of moans tumble from them. I’m about to slip out from underneath her, escaping the compulsion to ravish her, when Maci pushes her upper body up so she’s straddling me.