Page 44 of Cries of Cassie

Koa looks wrecked as he studies Ripley, his other side of the coin. Those two have something I've never quite understood. They complete each other like yin and yang. Sunshine and darkness who can meet in an epic eclipse of similarities. "Rip, nobody expects you to do everything right. Hell, I just intruded on what would have been a good moment between Cassie and Mads because I couldn't get my feelings under wraps in time."

Ripley clears his throat, and I know the conversation is over. "Right. Thanks. Pet, let's get you some water." He reaches for her, and she goes willingly, even with a bit of relief on her face.

"Ice and ibuprofen, too," Parker follows, eyes hard. "She's flinched seven times since getting off Maddox's fucking bike. BANDAID!"

"Jesus, Parker," Cassie hisses, voice almost lost to me in the crowd of my MC. "Don't do that. I'm fine. Leave the man alone. He's⁠—"

Bandaid intercepts them with a bag slung over his shoulder. "Who's hurt?"

"Cassidy's in pain," Ripley declares, pulling her into the clubhouse, but not before I hear him suggest getting an IV set up for hydration.

Koa's warmth grounds me back into my body, but my heart stays obediently with Cassie. "Are we worried about that?" my partner murmurs, leaning against me.

I scratch my fingers through my beard, thinking about the chaotic few minutes we just had. Is this the rest of my life? Five very different personalities and feelings sharing a single conversation that splits into a million different unhinged sidetracks? "With which part?"

He chuckles a throaty sound that reminds me he'll need his throat fucked later too. "I was talking about the fact that Parker and Ripley are worried enough about whatever's hurting her to have Bandaid check her out and put a needle in her arm for fluids."

Fuck. Fuck.

Parker noticed something I didn't. I was so lost in the experience of her clinging to me that I got swept up into pegging thoughts which went right to worry for Ripley. Cringing, I grab Koa's hand and tug him toward the clubhouse.

"Yes. We should be fucking worried. Damn it, how did I not notice she was in pain?"

Chapter Twenty-Six

Cassie

I'm running out of time in being able to conceal my joint pains and stiff muscles. I've never gone more than two weeks without seeing my chiropractor, and I can feel it.

Thankfully, Baindaid doesn't have x-ray vision and told the guys I was just sore from my first ride. I had already explained that, obviously, but nobody would listen to me. Bless the man for telling them he wouldn't put an IV in my arm, considering I wasn't dehydrated and was in excellent health.

That was a few days ago, and I gotta say I'm not feeling so confident anymore. Which is why I've decided it's a good idea to eavesdrop on club business.

Not my best moment, but I need to know if there's still a threat to me beyond these walls. That man, Victor, hasn't made another appearance, but I still don't know jack shit.

What is really going on here? I'm running out of time to figure it out before I end up risking my heart.

Everything I've witnessed and experienced with the Shadows is nothing like the outside persona Maddox has used to push me away all these years. I'm antsy, I miss my niece, and my neck fucking hurts.

So excuse me for this next part. I'm a woman who doesn't know how to open up a massive can of worms that could change everything.

Because what if...what if they really are bad men and I'm a horrible judge of character? Have I really lost sight of the real world after living with four smoking hot MC presidents for the past month?

I sincerely hope not because I think I've already fallen for four assholes who know exactly what I need. Their possessiveness and attentiveness are like a drug I don't think I'll be able to recover from if it's flushed down the toilet as nothing but a colossal mistake.

Speaking of drugs...

Some papers shuffle in their home office, and I believe it's Koa who sighs. "I gave seven fucking zip bags to Connor this afternoon and twelve last week. I doubt what Victor gave us was only cocaine but Connor knows what to do."

Air gets trapped in my lungs, forcing me to cover my mouth to muffle my horrified choke. They're getting drugs from Victor?! And giving it to other people?! KOA?! My sweet, thoughtful Koa?!

"Shit, we need more than that," Maddox states, shattering the illusion of the man I thought he was.

All four of them are in there just casually talking about working with the man they said will kill me. Heart thundering, I drop a knee to the ground to keep me from falling over in anguish. They betrayed me.

The only one who gives me a smidgen of hope is Parker, when he growls, "This is fucked."

"We can't ask for more. Getting too deep could cost us. Next thing we know, he'll be demanding something else to prove ourselves fucking worthy. I, for one, don't care to show him what he wants," Ripley adds, confusing me.