Page 71 of Reacher
“Respectfully, Pres, I think we’d both like to be here when he wakes up. Even if they don’t let us all in.” I think I warmed to both of them a little more in that moment.
Torch hadn’t voted against me, so I liked him more than many of the others as it was. Micro had been on the fence about it, and abstained from voting, but he’d looked like he felt bad about even that much. In fact, only a few had vehemently opposed us, but it was how club politics worked. The majority didn’t win; it was all or nothing. All for or all against.
We piled into the lift to head up to the floor of the hospital where Ice was being treated. Reacher moved us into the corner of the lift, so that he stood between me and his brothers, like somehow they’d do something to me if he didn’t do that. It was nice; possessive, and kinda weird, but having someone care that much about me or my safety was pretty special.
When we reached intensive care, we were redirected through a doorway into the unit that specialised in detox treatments, and to another reception area.
“I’m Jacob Anderson. I understand that Ice is being woken up?”
The nurse frowned, and then her expression evened out.
“Oh. Mr Silver.Silver… is that why you call him Ice?”
Torch barked out a laugh, and lifted a hand in apology.
“Yeah, let’s go with that.”
She took in the number of us standing waiting, and shook her head.
“We can’t let you all in. They’re just administering to him now, but when they’re ready to let someone in, we can let two of you in. Maximum.”
Reacher turned to stare at me, regret on his face.
“I’ll be safe out here with the boys. You both need to be in there.”
Stitch patted my shoulder, and then raised his eyebrows at the glare he received from Reacher.
“I’m hardly groping her, am I, brother?”
I fought the smile that threatened to spread across my face.
“Isn’t he cute though, when he’s so territorial? It’s pretty hot too.”
I received three answers of no, and one growl from Reacher, as my response, then the nurse sighed.
“So who’s going in?”
Reacher pointed to himself and Stitch, and she nodded, asking them to wait. She disappeared off to check on their progress in Ice’s room.
Reacher dragged me away from the others.
“Please don’t go anywhere. Wait here for me. I don’t know what kind of danger you’re in from those bastards, but you’re safest here. Torch and Micro will keep you safe while I’m in there, and Has-been is around here somewhere too apparently.”
“As least they’re not some of the ones who literally hate me, so I’ll be fine, Reacher. I won’t run, I promise.”
He gripped the back of my neck.
“None of them hate you, woman. They’re just concerned about the threat of the cartel, especially this close to Tori bringing mafia our way. It’ll all be fine, and I’ll make sure of it. Don’t leave their side at all. You need a piss, they go with you and wait outside the door. Got it?”
I giggled at my protective beast of a man. Nothing and nobody would keep me from being with him, I knew that more with every second I spent with him. He was meant for me, but it didn’t mean I didn’t like winding him up a bit now and then.
“Sure they shouldn’t wait inside with me?”
His grip tightened. “Don’t even fucking joke about that. I’d have to kill them for it.”
He pressed his lips against mine, more of a mark of possession than it was a caress, or gesture of affection, then he dragged me back to the two bikers waiting on the seats.
“Brothers, keep her safe for me. I’m relying on you.”
