Page 17 of Property of Doc

“Eh, like I said, it’s a non-issue for me, unless you never wanted to have kids,” I reply as I slip a T-shirt on then slide my cut onto my shoulders.

“Just remember you said that if it happens,” she teases as we walk out of my room and head downstairs for something to eat.

“Since I plan to wife you up as soon as you give me the green light, it’s not likely I’ll forget,” he says as we enter the main room to cheers and boots stomping the wooden floors.

I watch her face turn beet red as she ducks her head. Rio walks up, claps me on the shoulder and with a smirk, says, “Looks like another brother has fallen.”

“Looks that way,” I reply as I move us toward the food warmers that the women have set up. Handing her a plate, I take one of my own and we soon find ourselves sitting with Rio and Issy.

“I saw the camper they’re redoing for you,” Issy says to Gretchen.

“Yes! I’m so excited to see it when it’s done,” she replies.

“Well, plan on having a space on food alley when we have our next rodeo,” Issy tells her. “Because what you make seems to be very popular these days.”

“Can I donate my profits to Hope House?” Gretchen asks. “That might draw even more buyers.”

“I don’t see why not,” Issy says. “Rafe? What do you think?”

“I think Beth will be over the moon,” Rio replies. “We already donate a portion of the gate ticket sales to them, so this will allow them to help even more women.”

“Then it’s settled,” Issy states.

I chuckle because she’s a force to be reckoned with most of the time, but I’m thrilled that my brother finally got his head out of his ass and claimed his woman. She’s been his since they were kids, anyhow, and while their dynamic might not work for a lot of people, it does for them. Just like Gretchen and I work.

CHAPTER

TEN

Gretchen

Now that the proverbial seal has been broken, Doc and I go at it like rabbits. Mornings, before we even start the day, then we shower together, go down and eat breakfast, and he heads off to the clinic while I head into my treat making room. These past few weeks, despite the club not finding the men involved with abducting me, have been like a dream. One I don’t want to wake up from, if I’m being completely honest.

I’m still not quite ready to go back to work at the clinic and he says he understands, but deep inside, I feel like I’m letting him down. Sighing, I finish boxing up the stuff I just made because I’ve got a delivery to make.

My decision made, I quickly clean up, then head out to my SUV. First stop is my delivery, then I’m going to the clinic. It’s time to reclaimallof my life and I know Doc will keep me safe while at work. Mongrel gets on his bike since he’s apparently my guard for the day, and we head out.

“Son of a bitch!” I seethe as I watch Mongrel get hit and pushed off the road. “I bet this was a set up! Call Doc,” I say out loud then I hear the robot repeat my instruction before the phone starts to ring.

“Gretchen? What’s going on?”

“How do you know something’s going on?” I ask, my eyes moving on a swivel as I weave in and out of traffic trying to get away from the dark SUV following me. “Anyhow, yes, there’s something going on, honey. I was on my way to make a treat delivery and Mongrel was behind me, but an SUV just ran him off the road!”

“Where are you?” he questions, urgency in his voice. I can hear him running, the sound loud in my car, and I know he’s trying to get to his bike so he can find me.

I quickly let him know where I’m at and what direction I’m going in as I make a quick decision to turn at the intersection that’s coming up. “What do you want me to do?” I query, my mind spinning.

I’m obviously scared shitless because I suspect it’s the person who got me the first time trying to capture me again. But I’m also angry, belligerently so because what gives these assholes the right to snatch people off the street so they can sell them? It’s that profound anger that’s keeping me focused on my surroundings as I turn. “I just turned onto Percy Boulevard,” I announce.

“Keep going, Mongrel managed to call Rio and let him know what happened. The brothers are coming in hot from the opposite direction,” he says. “Whatever you do, don’t stop driving, Gretchen.”

I hear a popping noise and realize someone’s shooting at my vehicle. “Even if they shoot out my tires?”

“I’ll buy you another fucking car, sweetheart. If the tires go, keep driving on the rims, the brothers are nearly there.”

Because I don’t know the outcome, I decide I need to let him know how I feel. “Doc, in case this goes south, you need to know something.”

“It’s not gonna go south, baby,” he says over the roar of his bike. We’re now connected via Bluetooth, which is a good thing because just hearing his voice has calmed me significantly.