Page 2 of Marx

I bolt upright, gripping Nitro and pulling him in for a moment before gently shoving him back. “How is he?” I ask, wanting to know, no,needingto know how Fox is doing.

“He’s stable. They’re going to leave him in an induced coma for a couple of days to let him heal …” he trails off.

I grip his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “He’s a tough bastard, you know that right?” I search his gaze, until he lets out a breath and nods. “He’s got this. Now go look after your man.”

He gives me a look, shocked that I could see what hadn’t even occurred to him until the moment Fox took two to the gut. Nitro swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tries to find the words.

“I can’t lose him, Pres.” He blinks moisture from his eyes.

“I know, and you won’t. Now get back there and make sure he knows you’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t wake up soon.” He gives me a chin lift before turning to leave the room.

He stops in the doorway, looking at me over his shoulder. “Pres? You do the same for Lovely, yeah?” My eyes dart to the person in the bed behind me, before meeting Nitro’s gaze. I givehim a single nod, and he leaves, walking through the doors to Lovely’s room.

Sitting heavily back down in the chair I let my gaze run over the woman lying before me. Gentle. Kind. Brave. Lovely.

A knock breaks me out of my thoughts once more and I snap to attention again, my men, no, my family need me.

“Come in,”

“Just me,” Rhodie says, leading Pops and Mad Dog into the room. He swallows, taking in Lovely’s small form on the hospital bed. “How is she?” I just shake my head. Her condition hasn’t changed since she came out of surgery. He nods in understanding. “The clubhouse will be a complete rebuild. Turns out fire and liquid nitrogen don’t mix.”

Fuck. Leaning forward in my chair I scrub my hands down my face. Where the fuck is my MC going to go? I open my mouth to bitch about it, but I’m stopped from saying anything at Pops’ raised hand.

“I live in a big fucking farmhouse. I’m surrounded by land, and it’s private. The MC can have the house until we’re back on our feet,” he says earnestly.

I stare at him. This pain in my ass has just offered us sanctuary. Pops, who spends his time pissing us off on purpose, has selflessly offered up his home.

“Well, fuck, don’t go soft on me, kid. You got vengeance to reap.”

I’m shocked when a laugh bursts out and I let it rumble over me, my shoulders relaxing as one really big fucking problem has now been solved by Sidney Tombs.

“Pops, thank you.” My voice breaks at the end but I don’t give a shit.

“You’re family, kid. Through better or worse.”

Mad Dog grips Pops’ shoulder, giving him a squeeze, then they turn to leave. “We’ll sort out the MC. You get the rest of your shit in order,” Dad calls over his shoulder.

“Anything you need brother, call me. Chewy and the Computas have relocated to the Tombs offices for the time being. They’re working around the clock to find anything of use. Roman called, he and Sasha are bringing in Dima to help.”

“Good, that’s good.” My phone vibrates and I pull it from my cut, glancing at the screen. “Landrys will be here by tonight.”

“Fuck.” Rhodie’s eye’s drift to Lovely.

Scrubbing my hand down my face I let out a long breath, “I know brother.”

“I’ll go help Pops and Dad, get the walking wounded settled and hit the streets with Jules. Someone out there must know something.”

I give my little brother a nod, stand and then pull him into my arms. “Be safe out there,”

“Always.”

He turns to leave, knocking twice on the door jamb, leaving me alone with the woman who has had me in knots since she first set foot in my clubhouse.

“I know I’ve been an ass, but listen to me, and listen good,” I whisper to her. She doesn’t move, not even a flutter of her eyelids. It doesn’t matter, I have to get this out. “Fuck all that shit I said, you’re mine. Hear me, Lovely? You. Are. Mine.”

Chewy

They’re going to pay. They’re all going to pay. I’m not even sure who they are just yet, but no one puts my family in danger.

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