by Xyla Turner
He was talking in that biker club language, but I got the gist. I wasn’t about that life, and he wanted me to stay that way. Never thought Apollo wanted anything for me, but it was kind of sweet in an Apollo way.
“I got you.”
He smirked, and I nodded.
We had an understanding.
The next few days crawled by as I continued to stay in and near the hospital. Mr. Hernandez stopped by when he heard about Bronx being shot and so did his wife. She was pretty, and I could see why Bronx fell for her. We hugged, and she sat with me for a while after they had announced he was out of the woods.
His cousin stayed in town the entire time and was at the hospital every day. So was Razor, Kylie, and a rotation of Guardians. Apollo was released a few days ago with some pain medicine and appointments for physical therapy.
I, on the other hand, hadn’t slept in a bed for two weeks. the bags under my eyes and my hair was the worst it’s ever been in my life. My mom almost had her beautician come to do my hair at the hospital. Dessy finally made me stop in order for her to braid it back, so it would not look so bad.
The police kept stopping by and asking various questions. It was mainly the Sheriff, who was no real fan of the Guardians’ because his brother was beating on his old lady and one of the Guardian’s put an end to that shit. When that got around town, he made it a point to fuck with them. Last year, he tried to warn Razor about interfering with Kylie. This was before they were an official item of course.
“Ms. Russell, so you shot him before or after he shot the gun?” he kept asking.
I took a deep breath and rolled my eyes. This was the shit I had already told the deputy, Officer Lemond and the first on scene.
“Sheriff, her fiancé is fighting for his goddamn life. She’s answered you already. What’s with the questioning?” Razor interjected with Kylie by his side.
The sheriff turned around causing everything on him to make their own distinct noise, keys, belt, boots, and even his tight suit. “Razor, I just find it off that a rival gang breaks into Ms. Russell’s house with three Guardians there and doesn’t come out alive. Don’t you find that odd? He’s not here to tell his side of the story. Odd?”
Razor stepped towards the uniformed official and Kylie pulled on his arm, but she ended up being right beside him.
“Razor,” she whispered.
“You don’t want this fight, Sheriff!” Razor spat. “You take issue with the Guardian’s, fine. But this here will not be an issue,” he said pointing towards me. “A warning, I won’t stand for that shit. Go ahead and try me.”
“Is that a threat, Xander?” He put his hands on his waist.
“A guaranteed threat.” Razor leaned into the man, then he backed away and told Kylie, “Take Shay over there.”
She nodded and intertwined her arm around mine as we moved towards the other side. Razor and the sheriff kept staring at each other until my dad joined the conversation, which resulted in the Sheriff leaving quickly.
The waiting game didn’t suit me well, but I learned a lot about both Apollo and Bronx with all the stories the guys were telling. They joked about the pranks Apollo pulled on them and how Bronx beat the shit out of Snoop in less than a minute. Apparently, he was talking a lot of shit about Bronx’s former days and didn’t know he was still actively working out. The word got back to Bronx, and they set up a pseudo-fight at the gym that was only attended by Guardians. To Snoops defense, he was a recruit at the time, but he’d never underestimate my man again. Bear still thought that shit was funny. He said, the young ones were always the most arrogant.
On my way back from one of my daily walks with Kylie, Razor met us at the door.
“Shay, come,” he said with a sense of urgency.
Without questioning, thinking or a doubt, I ran after him as he made his way to the nurse’s station.
“Here’s Blair Wilson’s fiancé.” He pointed to me.
“Oh, honey.” She smiled with tears in her eyes. “He’s up and asking for you.”
“WHAT!” I screamed.
My body turned quickly towards Kylie who was behind me, “He’s up?” I murmured.
She nodded, “Go. Go to him.”
Tears were in her eyes too when I nodded and followed the nurse.
“Call his cousin, Kylie,” I yelled back. “Let Trey know.”
Her response wasn’t heard as I raced into his room. Bronx’s eyes were closed but when I squeezed his hand, they slightly opened as he searched for me.
“Kitten,” he whispered.
“I’m here.” I squeezed back. “I’m here. I’m so glad you’re up.”
“Yeah,” his breaths were labored.
“Don’t talk, okay.” I touched his arm. “Save your breath.”
He blinked, and his eyes stayed closed, then he murmured, “Apollo?”
“He’s fine. He left a couple of days ago. Nothing permanent. Just a cast to his arm,” I informed him.
“You?” he said.
I almost wailed that the man I loved was on his damn deathbed and asking about everybody but himself.
“I’m fine.” My voice was hitched with pure emotion. “I’m fine, now.”
He slightly nodded as he dozed back off.
“Love you,” he murmured. "We good?"
“I love you.” I whispered in his ear. “Always, Bronx. We're good.”
BRONX WAS RELEASED a week after that, and he was in my care. Mr. Hernandez helped me to help him get situated at first and the fact that I was able to get some first-hand training was invaluable.
The place was covered with flowers, cards, and food as people from all over had come through to show their support. Bronx knew everybody or they knew of him and like me, he’d touched all of their lives. These included the Mayor, police captain, and a bunch of other undercover Guardians. He was gracious about it all and he was the best patient. Specifically, because his tolerance for pain was extremely high. Hernandez said, he only saw that in soldiers of war. I wondered how bad his childhood really was. Trey or Razor didn’t really talk about it, but I knew there wasn’t a lot of family in the area, so they had to watch out for each other.
Razor, was back to Pres duties when he confirmed that Haz acted alone. Well, Kylie told me that he overheard him on the phone at the compound saying, if he didn’t act alone, holy terror would reign down on the Devils. Every aspect of their compound would be disintegrated.
Razor never talked like that but club business was club business. Kylie was concerned that he was going out for revenge whether the guy acted alone or not. When she confronted him about it, she said he raised his voice at her, which he rarely did. He told her Bronx was his only real brother, even when his blood ones turned their back on him and his Guardian brothers didn’t have his back.
I understood that.
Completely.
Kylie did too, which was why she said, she backed down and simply embraced Razor rather than try to talk him out of anything. He and Bronx's bond was the tightest I’d ever seen. They understood each other with a single look and no words spoken. Razor and Bronx also trusted each other with everything, inexplicably. When Bronx spoke, it was like Razor did and everyone knew it and adhered to his authority. He was humble enough not to acknowledge it but also exercised it with wisdom. As Razor said, he was a man's man and a brother's brother.
Apollo's recovery was pretty simple. He had PT afterward which he wasn't attending but then some therapist in a short skirt started coming to his house and he changed his mind about the therapy. He and I had an understanding now. While I might not have liked how he handled my girl, he was solid with me. I forgave and moved on, and he had saved my life. Kylie had done the same and while Razor and Bronx didn't say anything specific, I knew they felt a load off. Having their women at odds with a guy who was close to them was never good.
A few months later, Bronx still walked with a slight limp, and he was also in physical therapy, but I wouldn't have some skank nurse hel
p him. I had made that very clear when the guys were talking about Apollo.
During one of Kylie’s and Dessy’s nights at work, there was a small commotion. The only thing we saw was Bear getting up and strolling towards the bar. The man was big but carried his weight well.
With one hand, he damn-near picked up one guy off the stool by his collar and slammed his head down on the counter. By then we were on the move because his friends started to surround him. I tried to keep Bronx and Apollo back since they were still recovering, but no such luck.
It was over quickly because Bear ended up throwing another guy across the bar. Literally, he was in the air and almost in sailing mode.
“What the fuck, Bear?” Razor asked after punching one of the guys in the face.
Once they all scattered and escaped, Bear said, “I just didn't like the shit they were about to pull.”
“Alright, brother,” Apollo answered.
Later on I went over to see how Dessy was doing since she seemed a little jittery, but someone beat me there.
Bear.
“Thanks, Bear,” Dessy half-smiled.
What?
“No thanks needed," he replied and nodded her way.
"I'd be happy to make it up to you," she purred and plopped those double D's on the bar.
Damn, Dessy.
So that’s what Bronx was talking about.
Well, I guess she was going to bag Bear one way or another. His eyes wandered down to the counter, but he did not look happy.
"Fuck is wrong with you? You’re not through throwing it around for everyone to see?" he sneered.
Dessy reared back and so did I. Her eyebrows were raised to the ceiling, and her red lipstick covered lips were shaped like an ‘O’. Bear took that opportunity to lean in and sneered, "What? You didn't just offer it to me?"
She gasped, then sputtered, "I don't w-wave anything around, and that offer was only t-to you."
Bear snapped, "Bullshit, darling. You don't say shit when they're groping you, and you done tried to play both of my brothers at the same time."
"I told you, Bear. It wasn't like that. We were talking. Swear to God. Ask them. I just was trying to meet people is all. I'm new and not trying to make waves. That's why I didn't make a big deal when the guy pulled down my shirt.” She gestured towards the door. “It was an easy fix. No biggie."
He shook his head.
"Girl, you need to get something straight. You demand respect and don't let anyone treat you any ole’ way. You can learn something from that cousin of yours. Bat-shit crazy but a person would know how and how not to treat her. She'll make sure of it." He shook his head again in frustration. "Fuck."
Dessy nodded like she understood.
"You're not ready," Bear growled. "You're not fucking ready."
He turned to walk away, but Dessy reached her arm out and grabbed his wrist. "I am, Bear. I swear that I am. I'll be ready cause you'll teach me," she exhaled and put her head down, having her flowing bobbed-cut mane fall over top of it.
To my surprise, Bear turned around, moved her hair out of her face, placing it behind her ear.
"There are rules." He lifted up her chin with his crooked index finger.
"I know."
"How much do you know?"
"Enough of the wrong way, but I'm willing to learn yours."
"Why?" he asked.
She looked down again and said, "I just have a feeling that you'd be a good one."
He grunted, "Little girl, I fuck hard and punish hard."
"I figured as much," she said shyly. "But, despite what you might think, I'm tougher than I look."
"Hope so," he sighed. "Want to make it up to me, I'd prefer a home cooked meal. You any good in the kitchen?"
"I think so, but there's only one way to find out." Dessy smiled.
"You got sass like your cousin, I see." Bear noted. "That'll get your ass tanned."
Dessy smiled showing a mouth full of white teeth. From my angle, which I was trying to hide behind another patron, it looked like Bear raised an eyebrow. That was confirmed, when he said, "Really, now?"
His thumb on the hand that held her chin, swiped across her lip and to my surprise, Dessy poked her tongue out and licked it.
Damn.
“That a girl,” Bear growled.
Well, I guess she didn't need my rescuing.
Bear was highly respected among the brothers and he never did anything to me, besides pay me no mind. I could deal with that. He just better not fuck over my cousin because there would be hell to pay.
Guaranteed.
When I told Bronx, he also raised an eyebrow and then informed me. "Bear don't take anyone on, but if he does, she's in good hands."
"What's that supposed to mean, ‘He don't take anyone on’?" I scoffed as my booty wiggled on his lap. "This isn't an undercover ops training session."
"Oh, kitten." Bronx was patronizing me. "Bear isn't heavy in that shit, but he's in that world, okay? Your girl seems to be familiar with it a bit, so if that's their thing, let it go. You start letting the wheels turn in your head and it will blow it out of proportion."
My butt wiggled some more since I couldn't really hit him, since he had both of his humongous arms wrapped around me and my back to his chest.
"I'm just curious."
"No, you harp on shit until it’s out your system."
The man had a point.
"Whatever. I'm just thorough."
"Ready to get outta here? I want you to be thorough on top of me," Bronx whispered.
Shit.
"Say no more." I tried to push away from him. "Let's Ride."
"My girl." He let me go so we could ride home.
On our way home, we passed Lori's house, and the lights were on. That was weird since she was away and we were told not to pursue her. I chalked it up as maybe her parents were there gathering her stuff, but Bronx was riding so fast and it was so loud, I didn't have time to stop.
That fact did not cross my mind until the next morning after my multi-orgasmic hangover had me tangled up in Bronx.
"Kitten, your phone. It's Kylie." Bronx nudged me. "Seems important."
He was completely naked, making me think naughty things.
“This better be good.” I squinted to see the clock read six-thirty in the morning.
Really fucking good.
Taking the phone I sat up. “Girl, this better be and I mean...”
“Lori’s back.” She was whispering. “She's here at our place.”
“What?” I gasped. “Wait, what?”
My head turned to look at Bronx, who was up and moving closer.
"She's here. Right now. In the living room. Come," she whispered. "Now."
"Shit, I'm on my way. Coming." I threw the phone, ran into the bathroom, turned on the shower and walked right under the cold spray while adjusting my scarf that was lopsided on my head.
The shower door didn't shut when I turned around and saw Bronx. "You, uh, forgot something?"
"Oh, sorry sweetheart." I kissed his nose. "That was Kylie, and she says Lori is back. Like in her living room. So I'm going."
I turned around, swiped the necessities and walked out.
Bronx was in the room with his jeans, t-shirt and cut on.
"I'm taking you," he said.
I had been with him long enough to know that this wasn't negotiable. We had a silent understanding, so he also knew when what I said wasn't up for discussion.
My head nodded and after I was dressed we were on our way.
When we pulled up, there was a red corvette outside with the top down. It was new and it was nice. It had to be Lori's or she borrowed it because Kylie’s car was parked outside, and so were Razor's bike and truck.
The door was open, so I didn't have to knock and lo and behold, there sat Lori in the flesh. She had shorter hair, it was layered and highlighted, makeup was absolutely flawless, her clothes were stylish and she looked good.
"Goddamn, Lori
," I yelled and ran towards her.
She stood and greeted me as I nearly tackled her.
"What the fuck?" I looked at her up and down.
"What's up with you?" she asked, showing that Lori smile.
Kylie chose to come out and smile, while Razor waved Bronx in the kitchen. Before he made it, he stopped, kissed me on the forehead, then turned to Lori and said, "Good to see you again."
"You too Bronx," she hugged him and then he was off.
Her hands went up, and she closed her eyes.
"I know I owe you guys an explanation. Lots of them and I'll tell you everything, just let me explain and then you can yell at me all you want."
"No, we're just glad to see you are in one piece," Kylie said.
"No, bitch. I'm mad." I made sure that was known. "I'm glad to see you, but I'm still mad."
"I figured you would be," she smirked.
"Okay, well, first of all. I left because" she sighed. "I really needed to. I mean, you guys know, I was out of control with the obsessiveness over a guy." Her hand was palm up waving towards the door. "I've suffered from this before and I needed help. I wasn't coping well and therefore all of my attention was on this one guy. You know? So, I knew I had spiraled, but I hadn't realized how much I was gone until Connor exploded like that. It was public and embarrassing, but I'm better now. Much better. I made some changes, including my job and picked up a few hobbies. I'm even dating now, which I refused to do for so long. He's sweet, and he also can identify with me. We were in the same facility. I can't wait for you to meet him. My parents were supportive, and I've moved out as of last night, to my own place, near Baltic."
She paused as Kylie and I digested what she was saying.
"So, that's really it in a nutshell." Her shoulders rose to her ears and she exhaled.
"Honey, why didn't you tell us." I reached to grab her hands.
"It's embarrassing; you know?" She looked directly at me. "I didn't want you guys to look at me differently, but I was making such an ass of myself, I guess you were already looking at me differently."
