Page 69 of Fury

“And you decided to stay with him,” Axel cuts in. “Get to the fucking point.”

“He’s my old man,” she says, her eyes pleading with me to forgive her. And as I look at her, I realise that I feel nothing. I’m relieved she isn’t having my baby, especially if she chose Ripper. I release her hand, and she begins to cry again.

“Jo is going home, back to Nottingham,” Axel tells me.

“Ripper?” I ask.

Axel smirks. “She’s getting the train back . . . alone.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Grizz enters. “You ready?” he asks Jo, and she nods, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. “I’m sorry.” A searing pain shoots through my skull, and I growl, gripping my head. I squeeze my eyes closed,and I see her. . . Jo, she’s ringside, begging me to stop. And there beneath me is Ripper, bloodied and battered. My fists are throbbing.

“Fury?” Axel’s voice brings me back to the present, and my eyes shoot open. They’re all staring at me with concern.

Xanthe

It hurtsway too much to watch the way he cares for her. How the fuck does he remember that but not us? It makes me question if any of it was real.

I crash into a hard chest, and strong hands steady me. Coop grins. “You lost in thought?”

Tears spring to my eyes, and he immediately holds me, allowing me to sob against his chest. “It’s just temporary,” he soothes. “All of this hurt and upset isn’t forever.”

“What if he never remembers?”

“How could he not?” he asks, sounding amused. “You two were meant for each other.”

“Jo mentioned a tattoo.” I sniffle, wiping my eyes and taking a step back. “She asked to see my tattoo to prove I was Fury’s old lady. What did she mean?”

“It’s standard that when a guy claims his old lady, they each get a tattoo of the other’s name.”

“Oh. Can I get that done?”

He nods. “I guess so. Run it by Axel or Grizz.” He looks around the room. “They’re probably busy,” he mutters. “Take it to Fletch.”

I spot him at the bar, and Coop leads me over. “Hey, brother, the Pres and VP are busy, but Xanthe wants her tattoo.”

Fletch eyes me. “What if he doesn’t remember?”

Coop groans. “Shit, brother, have some tact,” he snaps.

“It’s fine,” I cut in before they can argue. “I want it anyway to prove I’m serious.”

“There’s a chance he’ll make you cover it up if he decides not to pursue things,” says Fletch gently. “Wouldn’t you rather wait until he’s feeling more like himself?”

I shake my head. “I feel so lost and alone right now. I need this to remind me what it’s all for.”

Fletch exhales, shrugging. “Okay. I’ll get Ink to set up.”

We use Axel’s office,and I’m relieved when Lexi and Gemma join me. “Usually, it’s something you and your man do together,” says Lexi, squeezing my hand. “But seeing as he’s not here, we wanted to be here for you.”

I nod. “I’d really like that.” They settle on the couch, and I lie back in Ink’s chair. “What’s yours look like?” I ask, turning my head to the side to look at the girls.

The women exchange an amused look. “I didn’t go traditional,” says Lexi.

“What does that mean?” I ask. “Are there other ways to do this?”

She smirks. “Yes, but nothing you’d choose.”

“I want to see.”

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