Page 68 of Lawless
"Daren didn't get better." Mari said it for me.
"We were one short on the last vaccine. I don't even remember what it was," I said. Once I started talking, it all seemed to spill out of me. "I tried to make him take it but he refused. He said I needed to beat whatever this shit was, because I was president and the club needed me. 'The world needs you.Sheneeds you,' he said. He was already so weak, he was just babbling nonsense. I told him I'd take half the syringe if he took the other half. He finally agreed but when he stuck me, he emptied the whole syringe into my arm."
I rubbed my forehead as though trying to wipe that memory away. "God, I was so fucking pissed at him."
"I'm sorry," Mari whispered. "But if you had split the vaccine, probably both of you would have died."
"Good. Then he wouldn't have died alone."
"But then you wouldn't have Hades," she protested. "And your men would be lost without you."
And I wouldn't have you, naked and beautiful lying next to me.
While few and far between, I had my moments where I was grateful to be alive. Despite talking about something deeply uncomfortable to me, this was one of those moments. If I had to talk about it, I was glad it was with her. And not only because she felt like heaven wrapped around my dick hours earlier. She stayed calm and comforting without going into hysterics like some women did.
Even so, talking about Daren set a dark cloud over my mood. I needed to think about anything else.
"I should go interview this guard," I said, rolling upright. I gave Hades a few pats before looking around for my clothes. "You can stay here if you want," I told Mari. "Or walk the grounds, go down to eat. It should be safe to walk around anywhere now."
"Can I go with you?" she asked, biting her lip as if bashful.
"Probably not a good idea," I mused, tucking my junk into my pants before zipping up. "Depending on how cooperative he is, we might need to get creative extracting information out of him."
"You're going to torture him?" her eyes widened.
"I'm going to do what's necessary to find out who wants us dead." I leaned over the bed, holding her chin in my hands. "This is your life now, sugar. I'm not the worst of men, but I'm still not a good one."
She said nothing, but I saw the wheels turning in her head as she stared back at me defiantly. When I lowered my mouth to hers, she kissed me back, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my cock when she bit my lower lip and tugged.
Hmm. Maybe my sweet medic had a little bad girl in her after all.
"On second thought," I groaned, my lips still pressed to hers, "you better be right here when I get back. Naked and wet for me."
"Hmm," she pursed her lips, a smirk tugging at one corner. "I'll think about it."
"You'll do it. If you want to come, that is."
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Maybe I like a little delayed gratification."
"You don't want to test me, woman," I growled, cupping the side of her neck. "That is not a game you will win."
"You've never played withmebefore," she grinned before pressing lightly on my chest. "Go. Do your interrogation before I change my mind completely."
"You won't," I promised her, stealing one more kiss before turning to leave.
Just before reaching the door, I heard Hades grunt and whine, wishing to follow me. Then Mari's voice comforting him, no doubt giving him pets and telling him I'd be back.
It brought a smile to my face, a rare one of genuine joy. I got weirded the fuck out when he took to her so quickly. Now it almost seemed like it was meant to happen.
"That good, huh?"
Jandro stood right outside my door, arms crossed and eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I haven't seen you smile like that in a long-ass time."
"Fuck off," I snapped. "Who posted you at my door like my fucking keeper?"
"Just waiting for you to join us. But it's clear you're off doing," he licked his lips, "muchbetter things."
"I do like to think I have my priorities in order. So, shall we?"
