Page 75 of Chief's Addiction

Morpheus’s phone beeped with a text. He glanced down then looked back at me, his expression was carefully neutral. “What do you want to do with him?” he asked, nodding toward Spike’s crumpled form.

A slow, cold smile spread across my face as I wiped blood from my knuckles onto my jeans, never taking my eyes off the broken man at my feet. “Take him to the Box. I’m nowhere near done with him.”

Killer stepped forward, grabbing Spike by his filthy shirt and hauling him up. Spike’s head lolled, his legs unable to support his weight as Killer dragged him toward the exit.

Morpheus’s phone beeped again with another incoming text. He glanced at it, then back at me. “We’ve got this under control, Prez. You should go check on your woman and kid.”

I drew in a deep breath, some of the blind rage finally ebbing away at the mention of Cora and Beckett. My woman and my kid. The words echoed in my head, settling something inside me that I hadn’t even realized was unsettled.

“Call me when you get him secured,” I said, already heading for the door.

The ride back to the clubhouse was a blur, my mind cycling between images of Cora’s battered face, the satisfaction of feeling Spike’s bones break beneath my fists, and the overwhelming feeling of relief I’d felt when Beckett hugged me.

I’d wanted a family and it’d all blown up in my face when my ex-wife’s lies had come to light. Now, the idea of settling down and having kids with Cora was all I could think about.

The woman challenged me at every turn, was on a constant mission to try and drive me up the fucking wall, and continued to make me feel things I’d never expected to feel again. And Beckett… I don’t know how it happened but somehow he’d wormed his way into my heart too.

As I pulled into the clubhouse lot, I spotted Rage leaning against the outside wall, smoking. His head came up at the sound of my bike, and he straightened as I cut the engine.

“How are they?” I asked, pulling off my helmet.

“Doc’s with them now,” Rage said, taking a final drag of his cigarette before flicking it away. “The kid’s okay. He’s got a couple bruised ribs, a split lip, and a mild concussion. He’s resting in one of the dorms.”

“And Cora?”

Rage’s expression darkened. “Dog bite was deep. Doc cleaned it out, gave her antibiotics and a tetanus shot, but says she’ll need to watch for infection. Thirty-two stitches across her calf. The head wound wasn’t as bad as it looked—scalp wounds bleed like a bitch. Six stitches there. Bruised cheekbone, black eye, lots of cuts and scrapes.” He paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. “She’s been through the fucking ringer, but Doc says she’ll be all right with some time and rest.”

Relief crashed through me like a wave, so intense I had to brace a hand against my bike to stay upright. She was going to be okay.

I found Doc in the apartment we kept for medical emergencies, his weathered face grave as he bent over Cora’s still form on the bed. She’d been cleaned up, the blood washed away, her injured leg properly bandaged. The sight of her pale face, marred by bruising and swelling, sent a fresh wave of murderous intent through me.

“How is she?” I asked, needing to hear the words from his mouth.

Doc straightened, wiping his hands on a towel. “She’ll live. Dog bite’s nasty but clean. I flushed it and started her on antibiotics. Facial contusions, mild concussion, various scrapes and cuts.” He shook his head, disgust evident in his expression. “Bastard worked her over good.”

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack. “And Beckett?”

“The kid’s okay. Bruised ribs, split lip, some minor cuts. He’s in the next room.” Doc pointed behind me. He finally fell asleep after I convinced him she was going to be fine.” Doc gestured toward Cora. “She woke up briefly while I was cleaning her wound. She asked for you.”

Something in my chest constricted.

“Thanks, Doc,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I owe you one.”

He shook his head. “Just doing my job, son.” He grabbed his bag from beside the bed. “She needs rest. I’ve given her something for the pain, so she’ll probably sleep through the night.”

I nodded, already moving to take his place as he headed for the door.

“Chief,” he said, pausing in the doorway.

I watched him carefully as he thought about his next words.

“I took an oath to do harm, so I don’t want to know what you’re planning to do to the piece of shit who did this.” His eyes were hard as stone. “You make sure they suffer.”

With that, he turned around and walked out the door, pulling it softly closed behind him.

I pulled a chair up beside the bed, settling in for the night. Gently, I took her hand in mine, mindful of the IV. Her skin was cool to the touch, and I found myself rubbing my thumb across her knuckles, trying to warm her.

Brave girl. My brave, stubborn, incredible girl.

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