Page 28 of Torch
“You don’t want to impress me?” He pouted at me, looking as adorable as a puppy, and how that was possible with a tattooed head, I couldn’t even explain. He just was.
“Are you not impressed by me so far?” I challenged, raising my eyebrows at him, just to add a little extra sass. Torch groaned, pulling my face closer, so his lips brushed mine as he spoke.
“You want me hard again, keep talking to me like bossy doctor lady, I swear. For some reason, that gets me so fucking hot. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d give you control, and I’ve never even considered it before, but something about you fucking kills me, babe.”
It surprised me that he thought that was what I’d want, but then I supposed he’d only seen me as his doctor up until he was discharged from the hospital, so maybe it was a natural assumption.
“I’d rather be your filthy little… uh… you get it, right?”
Torch winked at me. “Say ‘slut’, babe. Own it.”
Sixteen
Istayedwithher,and maybe that was a mistake, but we were in a bubble of happiness, and I really didn’t want to ever leave it, especially to go back to tiptoeing around a bunch of guys who could be the killer I survived before.
When I checked in with the club in the morning, I didn’t expect to hear what I heard, but then the flurry of panicked messages I found, when I switched my phone back on, should have hinted at it. I just figured they were worried for me, but that wasn’t even the biggest issue in the end.
“What? When? Is she okay?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and Grace had paused in the doorway, as we were both leaving her house.
“What’s happened?”
I led her outside, letting her lock up, while I peppered Stitch with questions, before confirming I’d be back at the clubhouse asap. When he told me to head to the hospital instead, I knew shit was worse than it had appeared.
“Babe, can you take me to work with you?”
I shoved my phone in my pocket, as we pulled away in that posh car of hers, that smelled brand fucking new.
“To the hospital?” She looked nervous about it, and I guess that made sense, since she had no context at all.
“Yeah, a friend uh… one of the old ladies, was admitted after an accident. I need to be with my brothers right now.”
“Oh god! Of course, do you know which department?” I didn’t have a clue, but I checked in with Stitch, and by the time we were parking up at the hospital, I had a better idea of where to go, but ICU was the last fucking place I wanted to see anytime soon, especially for the Pres’s fucking old lady.
“What the hell happened?!” I hissed at Ryder, as I entered the waiting room and saw him waiting with Stitch, while Stitch argued with the lady at the reception desk.
Ryder looked exhausted and worried.
“We think the killer struck again. He fucking ran her down with a car, man. It’s a wonder she’s even alive. Jesus, Reacher saw it happen, and he tried to take the hit for her, but it happened so fast. He’s a mess. He’s a fucking mess, Torch.”
Jesus fuck. “Where’s Tori, and the VP’s old lady? Shouldn’t they all be somewhere safe?” Should mine? I mean, me and Grace weren’t there yet, but I fucking wanted that to be our future. Would she even be willing to be tied to me permanently though?
“Fuck’s sake! Okay, they say only one of us can wait here for Reacher, so I’m gonna take the first shift. You guys get back to the clubhouse and make sure the other women are safe. Get Ice to contact me as soon as he finds anything, and if anyone acts like they know more than they should, put their lights out and lock them up for us.” Whoa. That wasn’t something I ever expected Stitch to say. The guy was as laid back as they come, usually our peacekeeper, but not right now.
“Wait. Do we know what Ally’s state is? Is she gonna pull through?” Stitch sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“All I know is that she needed emergency surgery for a ruptured spleen, and she has broken bones and a head injury, but these fuckers won’t tell me anything, and that’s all I got from about thirty seconds with the Pres. We need to find the asshole who did this, and make them pay for every last moment they’re breathing, got it? Get with Ice and Has. They’re working together with Grease. I need answers, and I don’t wanna be telling Reacher we don’t know shit, the next time he pops his head out, right? Go. Now.”
Fuck me. Stitch was serious as hell right now, and who could blame him? This crap had gone on long enough, and no amount of begging would save the culprit now, nor would it have before this. Come after us, but don’t fucking touch our women.
“Let’s go, brother. I have the van.” I followed Ryder outside, and when both of our phones buzzed, we froze, and I reckon his heart probably lurched in his chest, just like mine did. Please don’t be bad news. Please don’t be the worst news a man could receive.
CallToArms:FULL LOCKDOWN. Nobody leaves on pain of death. I fucking mean it.
Shit. I met Ryder’s eyes, and he gave me a grim nod.
“This is it, man. We find this fucker once and for all, or we die trying.”
The whole way back to the clubhouse, I let the disturbing fact sink in that I didn’t even wanna fucking be there anymore. It felt less and less like home every day, because who knew who had it in for us, and who knew if we’d figure it out before one of us fucking died.
