Page 86 of Tusk's Fury

Queenie responds sharply, “She has family, and we intend to be her support system moving forward.”

I open my mouth to remind her that Brittany is my old lady and, as such, she has her own family as well.

However, Patch cuts me off before I can say anything. “It’s clear Brittany still has a lot to process about this situation and will need all the support she can get. But I’d be a bad doctor if I didn’t caution you all about putting her under too much pressure right now. Right now, she needs the people in her life to just be there for her. She needs to rest, relax, and be given space to process what happened without letting herself isolate. Let her talk when she’s ready. If you can’t, now would be a good time to bow the fuck out.”

It takes us a few seconds to wrap our heads around what Patch is saying.

Jasper takes the opportunity to crack a joke. “You almost sounded like a real doctor there for a minute. Then you went off the rails by cursing at us.”

Patch reaches over and flicks him playfully in the forehead. “I am a real doctor, dumbass. That’s how I got my club name. I patch the brothers up when they get injured.”

Rock’s hand presses Jasper back. “Now’s not the time for jokes. Your niece is lying in there hurt. Show some respect.”

Jasper lowers his head. “Yes, sir.”

I speak up to let them know I plan to be a team player. “Between all of us, Brittany has all the support she needs to make a complete recovery. I plan to do whatever it takes to get my old lady back to her fucking sassy self.”

Queenie gives me a firm nod. “My Rock always says, ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.’ I believe my granddaughter is a fighter.”

I just shake my head. “You have no idea. Brittany was hell on wheels when she was a club girl. When she went on a tear, everyone got out of her way. She’s stronger than any of you know.” Glancing away, I wrestle my emotions under control.

It’s Jack and Robbin that tell the rest of the story. Jack speaks first. “She’s also a good mom to our sister and we like her.”

Robbin adds, “She’s pretty and nice too.”

I bend down to pick my son up. “Brittany was just settling into our family when all this happened. My boys took a strong liking to her right away. Ain’t none of us gonna be all right again until we know Brittany is okay.”

I have the overwhelming need to rush into the bedroom, scoop her up into my arms, and reassure her that she is safe and that all of us are gonna be there for her. And maybe tell her that I’d kill Harper and every single one of his followers before I let them within a hundred yards of her again. But I know she wouldn’t like that because her parents were among his followers.

So, I tell Queenie, “Brittany told me how excited she was to finally have the opportunity to meet you and the family members she never got the chance to meet. The minute she wakes up, I suspect she’ll want to see you all.”

The older woman’s expression turns cautiously pleased. “My granddaughter is alive. She’s back where she belongs. And she’s gonna have more family than she knows what to do with. We’ll also welcome you and your boys into the fold.”

I twitch a smile. “We’re all gonna be one big happy biker family, right?”

Rock answers for her. “Damn straight we are. Allied clubs, looking out for each other and all.”

Chapter 30

Brittany

When I wake up, I’m surrounded by family. Not only are Tusk and his boys there, but he has our daughter on his shoulder, fast asleep. Clara and Tex are holding their twins. My grandmother is there with her husband and sons. I sit up and begin finger-combing my hair because I must look like a mess.

Tusk grins at me. “You’re still beautiful, even with bedhead.”

I hold out my arms for my baby, and Tusk quickly brings her to me. Then he holds a drink with a straw in front of me so I can drink.

“Thanks, Tusk. My throat was really dry.”

He chuckles. “You’re a very talkative woman. When you didn’t speak, I thought thirst might be the culprit.”

I swat him playfully on the arm and say, “Mind your manners. We’ve got company.”

He gets a brush and begins brushing my hair because he knows I’m embarrassed by bad hair.

I turn to the woman who looks like a much older version of me and tell her, “Maybe we can pretend like we’re meeting for the first time and do it right this time.”

She’s all smiles as she gets up and comes to sit by me. “You already know that my name is Victoria, and I left the church too. What you might not know is that I found Rock, and we started our own MC. I was technically head girl, but it was always just me and Rock together and our boys. I was pretty messed up from everything my first husband put me through when I first left the church. Things I dare not mention in front of children, but the Sons of Rage saved me.”

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