Page 6 of Holly's Valentine Vow

“Fucking toast, Pres,” Red replies. He’s the club’s Road Captain if memory serves, and I think he also oversees the auto and bike repair shop the club owns. “The only thing salvageable was your gremlin bell, believe it or not.”

Rebel chuckles but the movement jostles him and he’s soon groaning in pain. “Shit, need to figure out if it can be transferred to another bike or not.”

“Well, it didn’t fail you per se, because nothing was mechanically wrong with your bike,” Red states. “So, you can move it to a new ride, or put it on your keychain and Holly can get you another one.”

“What’s a gremlin bell?” I ask, never having heard that term before. I mean, I saw something hanging from part of Rebel’s bike, but I didn’t think to question him as to what it meant.

“A gremlin bell is typically gifted to a biker from a friend or loved one, they don’t buy their own. It’s placed on the ride to protect the rider and bike against mechanical issues. There’s no special magic about it, exactly, it’s more a superstition that many bikers adhere to, is all,” Data explains. I grin because since he’s taken the time to say hello to Rebel, he’s had his face stuck in his ever-present laptop. Mine is sitting on the small table the nurse brought in for me to use so I could work whenever Rebel was asleep.

“What do you do with the old one?” I question. “Does it get moved to a new bike if the bike it’s on is totaled?”

As horrified looks come my way from all the brothers, I briefly wonder why I opened my mouth. I guess my innate curiosity should’ve paused. I mean, I could’ve always done some research on it once they left. But I’m so exhausted at this point, I wasn’t thinking.

Because right now, I feel like I could sleep for a week, and I know in my heart of hearts I need to get some rest. I’ll be no good to Rebel or even the girls if I get worn down. Especially if I do so and end up getting sick since he’s going to be prone to infection. I refuse to be separated right now, so I make a mental note to order myself a supplement that Grammy swears by. The woman rarely gets so much as a cold, which might have more to do with the fact that she cooks everything from scratch instead of using processed products, but with me eating hospital food, I need every advantage possible.

Prophet, the club’s enforcer, clears his throat then says, “If the bike is totaled, you put it in a mason jar, then cover it with a quarter of a gallon of motorcycle oil, seal it up and put it on a shelf. Legend says the oil will continue to keep the gremlins away, while the one that was on the bike will get its peaceful resting place. Or, like Red said, you can move it to a new bike or put it on a keychain.”

Hmm. I kind of like the mason jar idea. The girls and I will go buy him a new one for his new bike. “Well, it’s better than what was running through my head.” At Prophet’s raised brow, I say, “I thought you might have to bury it or something.” When several of the brothers start chuckling, I shrug. “Listen, y’all, I’m still learning stuff.”

“If a brother passes, it’s usually buried with him, along with his cut if he belonged to a club,” Prophet states.

This honestly doesn’t surprise me at this point; bikers are some of the most superstitious people I’ve ever met. But I guess, at the end of the day, we all have those idiosyncrasies we abide by, so who am I to say anything? If they think it keeps them safe, I’m personally invested since I never want to see my old man like this again.

“You’re doing good, sweetheart,” Rebel rasps out, looking at me with a smirk on his face.

“Pres, we’re gonna get out of your hair but me and Data will be back in the morning. Holly, if you need anything at all, you let us know,” Ash says.

“I should be good, but thank you,” I reply.

“Fox and I will be swapping out guarding your door, Pres,” Prophet states. “Figured since we have no clue who did this to you, we needed to protect our president and his first lady.”

A blush stains my cheeks at his words. I’m still adjusting to being part of their world, but all of the brothers have been kind as well as patient with my countless questions. In fact, I’ve developed a special bond with Psycho since he’s their club treasurer, and I work with numbers every single day. I gave him a few programs to use which has made his life easier and in turn mine since I’m now doing the books for all of their businesses. No more chicken scratch receipts for me to decipher; now I get printed spreadsheets and documents to input into the master workbook I have set up for each of the club’s businesses.

“Appreciate it, brothers,” Rebel rumbles. “I think my ol’ lady needs to get some sleep and I’m about to push this button here to try and numb the pain a bit.”

“Road rash is the worst,” Prophet mumbles. “But tossing in some broken bones including a few ribs and I definitely understand. We’ll get the bastard who did this, Pres,” he promises.

“Y’all watch your backs,” Rebel advises. “We don’t know if this was directed solely at me, or the club as a whole.”

“Already on it,” Ash tells him. “Let’s ride, brothers. Holly, we’ll see you two in the morning, and we’ll be bringing breakfast because I know hospital food sucks.”

“You’re my hero,” I reply, grinning at him. “I think Pappy plans to bring some food up to me, but it’s not like I have a mini-fridge or microwave I can store it in. Oh, and I guess I need to find out if you have any restrictions, Rebel. Because hospital food sucks.”

“We have a refrigerator you’re welcome to use,” a new nurse says, coming into the room and hearing my last words. “Just put your name on it.”

“Really?” My joy must be evident on my face because she grins and nods while making her way to Rebel’s side.

“Okay, gentlemen, unfortunately, your time is up,” she tells the brothers. None of them argue. Instead, both Rebel and I get chin lifts as they leave the room, Ash closing the door behind them. Once they’re gone, she puts on a pair of gloves and says, “This won’t be pleasant, Mr. Sherman. I have to change and clean the dressings.”

“Call me Rebel,” my old man says. “I just hit the pump for the pain meds. Holly, maybe you should go wait outside or something.”

“Not leaving.” I give him a narrow-eyed look, daring him to argue with me. He simply chuckles and falls back on the bed, closing his eyes. Yeah. That’s what I thought.

Chapter Four

Rebel

Despite the painwracking my body, I smirk at my ol’ lady. She’s normally laid back and calm, so this feisty side is something to behold. While I have a huge blank spot after I passed out in the ambulance the last time, with what the doctors said, I’ve managed to fill in the blanks a little. I’m fucking lucky to be alive.

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