Page 7 of Marx

Sixty, fifty nine, fifty eight -

“Lovely? It’s me, Switch, Dr Hansen. You’ve been intubated, let me just remove the tube and you’ll be able to take a breath, OK?”

I stare up at the large ginger man above me, his kind face and bushy beard so very familiar and yet the soft tone coming out of his mouth feels entirely foreign.

“It’s going to feel a little uncomfortable on the way out. Once it hits the back of your throat you’ll feel the need to vomit, just breathe through it, OK sweetheart?”

I blink as it’s the only way I can communicate with him. He nods once, his hands coming to my face, then gently moving between my lips.

Sixty, fifty nine, fifty-eight, fifty-seven.I can feel it moving inside me, the tube feels as if it’s making its way through my chest. It hits the back of my throat and my body heaves.Twenty-six, twenty-five, twenty-four. The numbers come out in a rush, just like the tube as it leaves my body on a whoosh of air. Without it blocking my airways I suck in a breath, the cool airdry in my throat. I cough and shooting pain glances through my upper chest. Wincing, Dom moves to help me sit up a little, while Chris brings me a cup with a straw.

I take a small sip, the water soothing my throat. I gulp it down greedily until Switch gently tells me to take it easy. The whole time this is happening I haven’t moved my gaze from the imposing man at the foot of my bed. The one that holds my heart in his hands, literally. Bee is snuggled into Marx as if it’s an everyday occurrence to be carried around by the President of the Devil’s Rose MC.

Vic leans forward, pressing his lips to my temple, then moves back, allowing Chris and Dom to do the same.

“You scared us, little sis,” Vic whispers, his eyes looking a little glassy.

I move my gaze from Marx to my brothers. “Blanche?” I manage to croak out.

“Tav had to keep her home. The first time she saw you she strapped Tess to her and packed all her gear. She was going hunting,” Chris answers.

“Mama Debs put her in charge of protecting Bee and the kids,” Dom says with a small smile.

I nod, my neck a little stiff. I get it. Blanche is the epitome of Mama Bear. She murdered our husband, our father and half a cult to protect our families. With the right intel, I’m sure she’d do it again. A rumble fills the room and my brothers move aside, making room for Marx’s large body.

“Hey,” he whispers, his rough voice rolling over me.

His gaze shifts to my little girl. He whispers something in her ear before leaning down, angling her toward me so I can nuzzle her soft little cheek. Tears slip down my face as I blubber, whispering how much I love her and that I’ll be home soon.

“I will be home soon, won’t I?” I ask, turning to look at Switch.

“Well,” he stretches out the word. “I mean, anyone else I’d tell them they’d be in here at least another week. But as far as I’m concerned, it was through and through, you’ve had two blood transfusions and you were on a ventilator for two days, however that was more precautionary until you woke up. You’re awake now, your stats look good and at home you’ll be surrounded by people who are more than willing to help out.”

“So does that mean I can go home?” I ask, hope blooming in my chest. I don’t want to be away from Bee any longer than I have to be. She’s my responsibility.

“Given the circumstances with which you landed here, I think it’s best practice that we discharge you into my care. I’ll try and spring you outta here first thing tomorrow morning and get you to the farm for safety. Because of the nature of your injury, I’ll have hospital transportation arranged. It covers both Rose Grove Hospital and my ass,” he says, aiming the last part at Marx. I guess it makes sense. I’d hate to have Switch lose his licence all because I wanted to be driven home in a club SUV.

“Do whatever you need. The safety of our family is top priority,” Marx says, adjusting Bee in his arms as he stands to look at Switch and my brothers. “I’m letting you know now, I will be in the cabin with Lovely. I will tend to anything she and Bee may need, and if I can’t someone will be assigned to her care.”

Wait. What? “Pres, there is no reason to do that, I -”

He raises his big man hand, silencing me. For now. He’s lucky I’m not feeling myself because as soon as he made the gesture I could feel my body heat up, fire running through me. In the past when it was done by my husband or father, I would submit. Head down, I’d quietly take their words or fists. But not anymore. I may be soft spoken, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll put up with garbage from people. I look toward Vic and the smile on his face tells me that I may not have hidden my irritation quite like I thought.

“Lovely, please,” Marx implores, “Please let me do this. I owe you my life.”

My brows pinch and I know I’m missing pieces to what happened that day. If it was as serious as I think it may have been, then Marx needs to be at the clubhouse, not the little cabin that Bee and I call home.

“What about the MC? The brothers need you at the clubhouse, not with me.” Looks dart around the room. Switch looks toward Marx, and my brothers wince slightly at the mention of the clubhouse. “What? What happened?”

“Babe, there is no clubhouse.”

Chapter 4

Marx

I’m running on fumes but I don’t give a shit. Lovely is awake and talking. And crying. The heartbreak on her face when I had to tell her the clubhouse was no more, almost killed me. Then the tears she shed for the brothers that were injured, even Rider and his wounded ass, almost finished me off. I know she’s confused as to why I want to move in to look after her and little Bee, but she’ll soon find out.

I lay Bee into her miniature bed in her room and take a look around. I’m not snooping. Oh OK, I’m kinda snooping. Bee’s room is decorated with all sorts of bright colors. There are flowers decorating the walls and stuffies of little bumblebees suspended from the ceiling. There is a huge bookcase packed full of books and a little play area where I’m surprised to find an absence of dolls, and in their place there are blocks and trucks and motorcycles.

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