Page 168 of Colt

“Colt’s doing exactly what he should be,” Sophie replied. “Sleeping. It’s the best healer, but I’m hoping he’ll come around soon.” She turned for the door. “I’ve got rounds to make. I’ll come back as soon as I can.” With a low wave she disappeared.

Breaker handed me an overnight bag. “Here, Sis. Go sort yourself out. The last thing you want is for Colt to wake up to you lookin’ like that.”

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. “Asshole.”

“You do look rougher than usual,” Cash reiterated. “Go wash up, brush your teeth and change. You’ll feel better.”

My eyes lifted to his. “What’s going on at the clubhouse.”

He blew a breath so hard, his cheeks puffed out. “It’s a shit show. Half the club’s on Colt’s side, the other half’s bayin’ for his blood. I’ve never known the brothers so divided. Pop’s holed up in his office with a bottle of Jack, and Abe’s stompin’ around biting everybody’s head off. Nobody quite knows what to say or do. It’ll take a while for things to settle down again.”

I rubbed at my tired eyes, Cash’s words echoing in my mind.

Colt was well liked within the club. He did a lot for people in his role and many of the brothers had a lot to be grateful to him for. Between them, Colt and Cash helped with investments, housing, even college applications for the brothers’ kids. I was happy that not all the club was set against him at least.

“Is it okay if I stay at the gallery for a while?” I asked Cash as he stared down at Colt in the hospital bed.

“Why?” His voice was a low rasp. “You’ve got your room at the club.”

“Dad kicked me out.” I looked down at my hands, trying to fight back my tears.

My brother’s mouth fell open. “What d’ya mean he kicked you out?”

I held my hands up defensively. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t go back to the clubhouse after what he did anyway.”

Breaker’s golden eyes never left Colt. “I almost saddle myself with fuckin’ April and he doesn’t bat an eyelash. Freya falls for a good man, and he kicks her out. Pop’s losin’ the plot.”

“And the respect of half the club,” Cash added. “But it’s done now. We have to try and deal with the fallout and mitigate the damage.”

“We need to call Church,” Kit said, “Dad doesn’t know the half of it. We gotta tell him about the FBI’s involvement and how he’s protecting the club from bein’ targeted.” He nodded down at Colt’s bed.

I took a sharp intake of breath as the hospital seemed to shrink in on me a little. “What do you mean Colt’s protecting the club? What the hell’s going on?”

Kit and Cash exchanged ominous looks before my oldest brother shrugged. “He’s joinin’ the Feds ‘cause they didn’t give him a choice,” Cash grated out. “They’ve got evidence of him hacking into their systems and the fuckers are usin’ it as leverage against him. You know they’ve chased him for years, now they’ve got somethin’ up their sleeve to control him with. They’ve threatened him, the club, even you, Frey. If he doesn’t join the FBI, they come for us all.”

I wet my lips, which had suddenly gone dry, as my mind went over our past conversations. Colt hadn’t said much about it, but still, he seemed okay with everything, excited even. “But he told me he wanted to join, that he could do more good working for them than the club. He seemed excited about it.”

“Maybe he is now,” Cash grinned. “Especially if it means he finally gets you.” His big, calloused hand engulfed mine. “He’s not mad about it anymore. Even sees it as a fresh start for you both.”

I dug the heel of my palm into my eyes, going over all the revelations from my brothers. “Wait,” I said confusedly. “Why was he hacking into the FBI’s systems.”

My brothers exchanged another ominous look before Cash muttered, “That’s club business.”

I would’ve laughed out loud if it wasn’t all so fucking ridiculous. “Colt’s lying in a hospital bed because of a chain of events that I know nothing about and all you can tell me is that it’s club business.” I pursed my lips. “Great.”

“It won’t matter soon,” Cash said squeezing my fingers reassuringly. “When your man recovers, you’ll leave and start a new life together. Club business won’t factor into your life anymore and honestly, Freya, I can’t say I’m sorry about it. I’ll miss ya both, but you’ll be safer away from here.”

“You sound like Dad,” I teased, my heart warming at the sincerity in his tone.

Cash’s lips twitched. “Jesus. Shoot me now.”

I chuckled softly along with Breaker but inside I was reeling.

So much had gone on behind the scenes that I didn’t know about, and it made my stomach heavy with unease. Colt should’ve told me all this himself. Instead, I found out secondhand from my brothers of all people. What had happened with Colt affected me too and I was getting sick of him keeping shit from me.

I shook my head, sighing with frustration thinking how it didn’t bode well for the future, and how sometimes nothing Colt did made sense, when suddenly, a soft groan sounded from the bed.

Cash’s hand squeezed mine. “Freya,” he said, his voice a whisper. “Colt’s waking up.

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