Page 3 of Falling for Her Protector

“Hey, Griz,” I shout back through the door. “Are you still hanging out with Nina?”

“Yeah, boss. Why?” he questions.

“Call her and let her know we’re gonna need her at the clubhouse tomorrow morning,” I tell him. Griz’s somewhat regular hook-up is a nurse, and I have a feeling that we might need a female’s touch in handling this.

“On it,” he calls back.

“I think we’re all good here, Doc. I really appreciate the help tonight,” I tell Brian, moving him towards the door.

“Okay. Vanessa, will you be okay if I leave you here in Xavier’s capable hands?” he questions and I watch as she offers the smallest nod in return.

“Thank you,” the two small words fall from her lips and he offers her a smile.

“You’re welcome,” he offers before stepping past me and into the hallway. “Xavier, walk me out, please,” he requests and I follow.

“Be careful with her. It’s clear that she’s in a really fragile state. You and I both know what the Vipers can do, and that girl...just take care of her,” he breathes out.

“I know. I’ll let her rest here tonight, then I’ll see if Nina or maybe Lacey can offer some help tomorrow,” I share my plan. “Thanks again for coming out tonight,” I offer him my hand again and we shake.

“No problem. You know I’m available any time the Sons need me,” he replies before opening the door and leaving.

“Boys,” I direct my attention to Griz and Mikey who are settled in on the couch with their eyes glued to a football game. “Why don’t you both head on over to the clubhouse; I’ve got it from here,” I tell them and their eyes light up like the fourth of fucking July. I let my feet carry me back towards the bedroom and I find her still curled up in the chair.

“Vanessa,” her name passes my lips and she looks up with wide questioning eyes. “This room is yours for the night, but you’re welcome to come out and sit by the fire, and maybe watch a little TV. We’ll take a ride in the morning and check in with a friend who might be nicer to talk to than me and the doc,” I offer with a deep chuckle. I see a faint smile cross her lips before it quickly disappears.

“You hungry?” I question and she nods. “C’mon. Let’s go find you some food.”

3

First Night of Freedom

Vanessa

Isink into the couch, letting the warmth from the fire wash over me. Xavier leans down, handing me the remote. I pull in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of leather and mint and my head feels light.

“Go ahead and put on whatever you want. I’ll check the kitchen. I wasn’t planning on staying the night here, so it’s not stocked, but I’m sure I’ve got something in there,” he offers.

“Thanks,” I manage to respond as I watch his large frame turn and move away. His eyes are dark and intense, but there is something soothing about them. They hold a kindness that I wouldn’t expect just from looking at him.

I let my eyes move to the TV screen, finding a football game blaring. The players moving back and forth in their brightly colored uniforms make my vision blur. I’m beyond tired, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.

Sitting on a comfortable couch by a warm fire, watching TV is literally the last thing I expected when that door opened and I saw the entire Ruthless Sons MC filling the room. In all honesty, I thought they’d have their fun with me and I’d be tossed out with the trash. I guess maybe they aren’t all like the Vipers.

“I’ve got a couple cans of soup. How does that sound?” Xavier’s deep voice calls from the kitchen.

“That sounds good,” I respond, still in shock at how kind he’s being to a strange girl who showed up on his doorstep.

After inhaling two bowls of chicken noodle and a large glass of water, the exhaustion has started to replace my initial rush of adrenaline. I can feel my eyes starting to close as I relax deeper into the couch.

“Maybe you should go lie down,” his warm breath touches my ear. “The bathroom is the door just before your room, if you need it,” he offers. I stand and start to move towards the hallway, but look back for just a second.

“Don’t worry, I’m gonna stay out here by the fire for a while longer. But my room is straight across the hall if you need anything,” he says noticing my hesitation. I nod and decide to keep moving.

Only minutes after closing the bedroom door, I hear his heavy footsteps moving down the hallway. I guess he decided he’d be more comfortable in bed. Seconds later there’s a light tap on the door. Oh no. My stomach sinks. Maybe I read him wrong. Is he expecting something from me?

I swallow hard and lift from the edge of the bed, moving slowly towards the door. I pull it open and find his large frame filling the dark hallway.

“I thought you might want some clean clothes to sleep in. They’ll be a little big, but better than sleeping in those dirty rags,” he says gesturing to what I’m wearing and holding out a small stack of fresh clothes.

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