Green stormed past both of us. Ares collapsed onto his knees.
“Oh my god, are you all right?” The side of Ares's hospital gown was stained with blood. I lifted it up to find his stitches ripped open. He should have never gotten out of bed.
Ares's face was pale. “I'm fine, just a little woozy.”
“Here, let me help you up.” I put his arm around my shoulder and used all my strength to get Ares to his feet. We stumbled to the elevator. Dr. Green had gone too far. I was seconds away from pounding her in the face. Thankfully Ares was there to stop things from going any further.
“Thank you for coming for me,” I whispered to him, pushing the button for the fifth floor.
Ares waved it off like it was nothing. “You would have done the same for me.”
I let out a laugh that instantly made me feel better. All the tension in my body finally released. What was I going to do about Doctor Green? Should I file a formal complaint with the hospital? Go to the police? My head was swimming with too much. I needed to focus on getting Ares fixed up.
The elevator dinged open and I called out, “Nurse! Little help here.”
Nurse Fiona ran to the other side of Ares and took some of the weight off me. “What happened Dr. Holmes?”
Should I tell her everything? No not yet. I needed to think it through first. “Ares tore some stitches while walking around.” Ares nodded and backed up my story.
We helped him back to his room and set him on the hospital bed. Ares rolled around and groaned in pain. For being such a tough guy, he was acting like such a baby. Fiona left us alone and I began closing his wounds back up.
“You know, you don't have to act hurt to gain sympathy from me.”
Ares grinned and stopped groaning. “It was worth a shot.”
“I hope you know this doesn't mean I'll go on a date with you, Ares.”
Ares scoffed. “Way to bring a guy down after he just became a hero.”
I flushed and smiled. “Definitely not a hero. I had things under control. I can easily handle a scrawny woman.” I sewed the last of his wounds and cleaned him up. “That should do it. Good as new.”
Ares lifted his arm up and rolled his shoulder. “Thanks, Doc. I feel better already.”
Ares reached out and held my hand. His eyes were intense and unwavering. “Let me know if you need my help with her. I'll testify to what I saw.”
“I really appreciate you looking out for me. The good news is that you should be able to go home tomorrow morning.”
Ares smiled and still held my hand. I liked the way he gently ran his fingers in my palm. “It's about time. If I have to eat one more pudding cup, I'm going to bounce off the walls.”
“I'll make sure the nurse brings you a few to take home.” I winked.
This man was bringing emotions out of me I hadn't felt in ages. I tried to shake off that feeling because I knew he wasn't the right guy for me. He might be off-the-charts hot but he'd end up in prison or dead eventually just like every other member of a motorcycle club. I didn't want that life for me.
Chapter Seven
Ares
They finally released me from the hospital after too many very long days. My side was still incredibly sore—especially after that knock-out punch. Nurse Fiona pushed me down into a wheelchair.
“This isn't really necessary, Nurse. I can walk out on my own.”
“Sorry darling, hospital rules.”
I didn't feel like arguing anymore. I let Nurse Fiona push me to the elevator and the doors closed in front of us.
“Still wished we could've finished that sponge bath.”
“Maybe next time,” Nurse Fiona replied, her hand rubbing my shoulder. She slipped me a scrap of paper with her number scratched on it.
I had hoped to say goodbye to Owen but he was nowhere to be found. One of the nurses told me he was operating on a patient. Always saving lives. I said a silent goodbye as Fiona pushed me outside. The fresh air reinvigorated me.
Dagger was standing outside in front of a nondescript white van. “They finally let you out of this prison, Ares?”
“Only because they were sick of giving me baths.” I used my arms to lift myself out of the wheelchair and to my feet. Standing on my own two legs felt good even though they worked like Jell-O. Dagger helped me into the van and I looked out at the entrance one last time, hoping to see Owen running out to me.
Why did this guy have such a hold on me?
So big deal, he doesn't want me. There's a million other men I can bed.
“Ares, are you even listening?” Dagger's voice brought me out of my daydream.
I shook my head of the cobwebs. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
“I was saying that Emily told me you could stay at the clubhouse until you're fully recovered.”
“That will help a lot right now.” The last thing I wanted was to go back to my broken down apartment.
I looked outside to see the Devil's Hellions MC coming into view. It was just an abandoned warehouse that was taken over and turned into our clubhouse. Dozens of Harley's were lined up in a row and bikers with leather cuts walked around holding beers.
I was finally home.
Dagger took my arm and helped me out. “Don't get any ideas, Ares. I'm not going to be your nurse.”
“Damn, I was hoping to get a sponge bath from you.”
Dagger laughed and slapped me on the back. “It's good to have you back, Ares.”
I released a heavy breath and looked up at the Devil's Hellions sign. I never wanted to be stabbed again. “It's good to be back.”
Dagger opened the door and waiting inside was the entire MC and all my friends. A banner waved above that stated: Welcome Home Ares. Black balloons and streamers decorated every possible inch of the clubhouse. The bar was fully stocked with booze and tons of people around.
Everyone started clapping and cheering. I waved my hands to get them all to stop. It felt like I was a war hero coming home. “Please everyone. I didn't do anything. Being stupid and getting stabbed in the back shouldn't warrant this.”
Emily came through the crowd and kissed me on the cheek. “We're just glad to have you back home, hun.”
“Thank you, Emily.”
“I went over to your place and got some clean clothes for you. I put everything in the spare bedroom upstairs. If you need anything, just ask.”
I gave her a big hug. “Thank you again.”
Big Mike came rushing over to me, juggling two pints of beer. The light brew spilled over the top and dripped all over his feet. “I bet you've missed this,” he said, handing me a glass.
“You have no idea, Mike.” I took a sip and let the beer run down my throat. “Damn that tastes good.”
Pain came over and cornered me. “Welcome back, Ares.” He gave me a quick hug and patted me on the back.
“Thank you, Prez.”
“Come into the meeting room. We need to talk about something.”
Pain led me through the crowd until we were behind closed doors. Our little meeting room was just a wood table with a bunch of seats surrounding it. Someday we'd get a nice spider carved into it. I waited for Pain to start talking. What could he possibly want to talk about right when I got back?
“I know what you're feeling, Ares.”
He does?
Pain sat down at the head of the table where the President belonged. He motioned for me to sit down next to him. I'd never sat in the Vice President spot before. It felt good. Someday, King. Pain continued, “Many members have gone through this before. That boiling emotion you feel inside.”
Was he talking about Owen?
Pain pulled out a small box with a bow on top. “I know you feel that need for vengeance but we couldn't wait.”
I looked up at him confused. Then it all connected. He's talking about the guy from the bar—the one that stabbed me. I opened the box and found an index and middle finger placed neatly on a bed of velvet. The ends were covered in dry bloo
d. It looked like they had been snipped them off with garden shears—probably while he was still alive.
“Thank you for this, Pain.” I closed the box and set it down. Ever since I met Owen, I had totally forgotten about the need for revenge. I hadn't thought about the man who stabbed me once since I woke up in the hospital.
“That motherfucker won't be roaming the streets any longer. Don't worry we made him pay.”
I hugged Pain again. He was like a father to me. I never wanted to disappoint him.
Pain lit up. “We have one more surprise for you.”
“Seriously, you guys didn't have to go through all this.”
“We need this more than you do, Ares. We thought we almost lost you in the operating room. Emily sobbed the entire time.”
Shit. I imagined Emily crying uncontrollably and everyone trying to console her. I didn't even think about that. I never wanted to make her cry again. These people were my family and they almost lost me. “So what's that surprise you mentioned?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.
Pain opened the door and Slade walked in with a manly redhead at his side. His arms were covered in tattoos and wife-beater barely contained his giant pecs. He looked vaguely familiar.
“I think this guy wants to talk to you,” Slade said. He couldn't help but grin as he handed him over to me.
I looked the man in the eyes and finally remembered. Oh fuck! This was the one from the bar. The guy I got stabbed over. He was handsome-as-hell but not get-stabbed-and-almost-die handsome.
“My name's Marvin,” he announced, holding out his big hand.
“Nice to finally meet you. I'm Ares.” I grabbed his hand and felt nothing. No spark. Nothing. He was just like every other hot piece of ass I'd been with. That didn't mean I couldn't have some fun with him.
I deserved it after all that cock-teasing with Owen. It would be nice to bend him over and fuck him hard. “Want to go up to my room?” I asked.
Marvin flushed. He was already melting in my hands. I led him through the cheering crowd and upstairs. His lips were on mine before we could even get to the room. I felt up barrel arms as we made our way to the bed. I shoved him down and undid my belt buckle. My hardness pressed against the inside of my pants.
“I've been thinking about you ever since that night at the bar,” he said, sucking on his finger. “The way you took care of my ex-boyfriend made me so hard. I need that big cock of yours inside me.”
The thought of being with Owen entered my mind.
What was he doing here? Didn't he know I was busy?
I shook him away and focused on Marvin. He tore off his wife beater and tossed it to the side. I pulled my pants down and jumped on top of him running my tongue along his neck.
But it all felt wrong. This wasn't turning me on. My cock was barely hard. What the fuck was happening to me? I let go of him and stood up. “I'm sorry, Marvin. I can't do this.”
“What are you talking about? You're locked and loaded.” His hand reached down to my crotch and felt my now flaccid penis. He was shocked when he realized I didn't have an erection. He wasn't used to seeing that. Fuck, it never happened to me before.
“You can leave now,” I said in a defeated tone.
“Maybe if I just rev you up a little.” He began stroking me but it did nothing.
I pulled his hands away. “Just get out of here.”
Marvin rolled off the bed and grabbed his shirt. “I'm going to find a real man that can get it up.”
“Fuck you,” I yelled. I grabbed the closest thing—a shoe—and tossed it at the door, slamming it shut behind him. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't get Owen out of my skull. This never happened to me before. A light bulb flicked on in my head. It wasn't Owen...it was the painkillers. That's the reason I couldn't get hard.
I lay on the bed with the flannel sheets and rested against the pillow. I was going to have to quit the painkillers the next time I wanted to get my dick fucked. I imagined Owen naked on top of me, riding my cock, rocking his hips back and forth. My cock grew erect.
Dammit.
Chapter Eight
Owen
My nightmare of a shift was finally over and I got to relax at home. I was disappointed that I couldn't say goodbye to Ares and thank him one last time. The ER was backed up and I couldn't tear myself away. I rushed over there as soon as I could but Nurse Fiona gave me the bad news that he was already gone. Maybe I'd see him again someday.
I walked down the hallway of my apartment complex and pulled out my keys. Flashes of my keys in the pharmacy flooded into me. My heart jumped out of my chest. I looked behind me expecting to find Dr. Green but nobody was there. Don't let it get to you, Owen.
Winona was lounging on the couch when I entered. The living room was drenched in darkness and The Notebook was playing on the small TV. I threw my keys on the keyring next to the door. I didn't want to see those for awhile.
Winona paused the movie and turned towards me. “How was your day?” Her glance turned to horror when she saw my face. “What happened to you?”
I didn't know that I was projecting the image of a victim. Winona picked up on it immediately. “Nothing happened. Just a little run in with Dr. Green again.” How much should I tell her? I didn't want her to worry. It was already over.
Winona sat me on the couch and handed me a glass of red wine. “Dish it, big bro. Tell me everything.”
“He cornered me and put his hands on me.” I could still smell her nasty perfume.
Winona's fingernail's dug into my arm. “That fucker. I'm going to kill her.” Winona would do anything for me and that's why I loved her.
I put my hands up for her to stop. “I punched him in the stomach. I doubt he's ever going to come my way again.”
“I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Owen.” Winona loosened her grip on me and held my hand.
“I'm fine...really I am.” I took a much needed sip of wine. My head was already cloudy and the buzz came on instantly.
Winona elbowed me in the side. “Tell me about this other man that you obviously have on your mind. What's his name?”
“Ares. He's just a guy. That's all.” He wasn't just a guy...he was the pinnacle of man. I don't know how I feel about him.
Winona cocked her head. “Yeah right. Just a guy my ass.” She pointed at my cheeks. “I've never seen you blush before. Ever.” This must be some man to hold your attention.
Winona knew way too much about me. I'd never really felt like this before for any man. But Ares was different. I waved her away. “Enough about me. What did you do today? Find a job yet?” I couldn't think about Ares anymore.
Winona downed her glass and poured another. “Do you always have to bring that up. No I didn't find a job yet.”
I felt bad. Here she was helping me out and all I ever tried to do was lecture her. “I'm sorry, Winona. I don't even really care if you get a job or not. I just like you being here. So what did you do today?”
“How about watching the Notebook five times in a row. That sounds really pathetic when you say it out loud.”
“If it's a man you're looking for you just need to put yourself out there. You won't find anyone sitting on the couch all day.” Maybe I should take my own advice? “I think you'd feel better if you found a job.”
“I've tried but nobody's hiring. I sent out twenty resumes yesterday and got nothing back.” Winona fiddled with the TV remote.
“I can get you a desk job at the hospital.”
Winona shrugged. “A desk job?”
“It won't pay much but it will get you out of the house.”
“Owen, I didn't drop out of college and make our parents disown me for just a desk job,” she said with a straight face.
I stared into her eyes, not blinking. Her smile cracked first and we both collapsed into a giggling mess. I always beat her. “There's some cute straight doctors that I could introduce you to.”
Winona's ears perked up. “Tell me more, Owen, tell me more.”
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I shoved her away. “Just play the movie again. I need to relax.”
Winona poured me another glass of wine and started the movie again. Noah was in the middle of building the house for Allie and she hadn't seen him in years. This movie always brought me to tears. I hated the fact that they loved each other so much and if it wasn't for her bitch mother, they'd still be together. I guess love doesn't work the way you want it to.
Royal Blood Complete Series Box Set Page 21
