Page 67 of Fury

“He doesn’t even remember,” I hiss as the door opens and Nyx enters with Fury hooked on his arm.

I pause to stare at him. He looks frail and weak, nothing like the man who left me a few weeks ago, telling me he wouldn’t be gone long. His eyes find mine, and for a fleeting second, I see something, recognition maybe. But he looks away as Jo comes in behind the pair, holding some bags. The prospects rush over to grab them, and she smiles gratefully.

A few brothers head over to help Nyx, and they lead Fury to the couch. I follow Axel, who stops by the couch. “Great to have you home, brother,” he says. “I have you a fabulous nurse.”

Fury looks at me again, but this time, he looks annoyed. Jo narrows her eyes and scoffs. “Not her.”

“Can we have a word?” asks Axel calmly. She nods stiffly, following him towards the office. “And you, Xanthe,” he adds to my surprise.

We get inside, and I close the door. Axel sits behind the desk, pointing to the seat in front of him for Jo, who sits. He tips his head to me, indicating I should go to him, which I do, much to her annoyance.

“We haven’t had much time to catch up,” he begins, “what with you avoiding me.”

She flusters. “I haven’t been avoiding you. I can’t visit Fury in the daytime.”

“Because of your old man?” asks Axel smugly.

“It’s no big secret,” she hisses.

“And what would he say if I told him you were visiting Fury?”

“Fury will go mad if you do that,” she says with confidence.

Axel leans forward, resting his arms on the desk. “You know how I feel about my club,” he says firmly. “I protect them with everything I have. The men are my family, as far as I’m concerned. My blood.”

“If this is some big speech about how I’m getting in the way, save it. Fury loves me, and I’m here for him.”

“What’s the plan here?” he asks with a smirk. “Leave Ripper?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know.”

“I also love every single old lady under my protection,” he says carefully, and I stand a little taller knowing he’s referring to me in that. “My men pick their old ladies too wisely for me to doubt them, so when they choose, I back them one hundred percent.”

“What are you talking about?” she snaps impatiently.

“Fury chose well,” he says. She eyes us cautiously, waiting for him to continue. “He chose Xanthe.”

Jo stands abruptly, causing the chair to scrape the floor loudly. “Bullshit.”

“Just because he doesn’t remember yet doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

“Let me go ask him,” she snaps. “Or show me her damn tattoo.”

Axel stands too, towering over the desk. “Sit the fuck down,” he bellows loudly, and she does so without question. “Don’t disrespect me or Fury’s old lady again.” He takes a calming breath. “You have two options now—tell me what you know and I decide if you’re innocent in all this and let you walk, or keep lying to my face and I kill you and your old man at the same time.”

Jo begins to cry, and I stare at the floor. I might dislike her, but I don’t want to see her upset. “Ripper is so angry,” she sobs. “He refuses to let it go.”

“Why is he back here?”

“To end Fury,” she admits, and I stiffen at her confession.

“Xanthe, go check on Fury. Don’t leave his side until I come find you.” The command in his voice is strong, and I leave, knowing that arguing will only piss him off.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Fury

Istare up at the bedroom ceiling, feeling more frustrated than ever. When the door opens and Xanthe walks in, I almost yell at her to leave, but the words don’t seem to come, so instead, I mumble some kind of sound and give up, looking like a complete idiot.