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I laughed, shaking my head, washing my burn at the kitchen sink. I squeezed my eyes shut to fight the urge to cry. My stupid wound stung like I was burning myself all over again. “Storm will let you go out?” Not likely.
“Sure. Why wouldn’t he?”
“Mads, you’re not stupid. He won’t let you out of his sight.”
He was the most overprotective man I’d ever seen. What I wouldn’t do to find a guy like him.
“I’m out of his sight right now.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re on a compound with electric fencing surrounding it, an armed guard at the gate, and I imagine several bikers in the clubhouse who are also packing. Girl, you’re protected to the hilt.”
“Whatever. I’ll ask him. He won’t be here Saturday since Boxer and Ire are fighting. I need something to do.”
“Ooh, that’s right! I’ve always wanted to go to an underground fight. Can we go too?”
“Seriously? Why would you want to watch two men beat the crap out of each other?”
I held my breath as I dotted a cotton ball on the burn. I nearly crumpled onto the floor. God, how could I do this to myself?
Weak in the knees, I leaned against the counter and refocused my attention on Maddy. “For the experience, of course.”
“Girl, I couldn’t stomach it.”
“No, I suppose you couldn’t. A sleazy joint like that is no place for a little lady in your condition.” Weirdly, I felt a lot better. These emotional ups and downs were ridiculous. Sporadic and bipolar. Maddy always could brighten my day with her effervescent light.
“I’ll ask Storm. If he says yes, it’s safe to assume we’ll have a posse of bikers protecting us at The Bullet.” She giggled, then I heard the crunch of a pickle.
“Sounds good. I need to get going. Luna needs me.” Sort of. More like I needed to get my shit together for school tomorrow.
“Okay. See you in the morning. I’ll bring you some pickle wraps.”
“Mmm, I look forward to them. Bye, babe.”
“Bye!” She ended the call.
I blew out a breath as I used my hand to fan my blistering burn. I might as well check my inner thigh too. I carefully peeled off my leggings, then removed the bandage. It was all bubbly. I wanted to pop the tiny beads but knew I shouldn’t.
Now that I was calm, I regretted burning myself. And making a freaking H on my inner thigh at that. What in the actual fuck, Tara? I hardly even recalled doing it.
If I didn’t get myself back on track, I might destroy all that I’d built. With that thought, I dialed Dr. Kelly’s office to make an emergency appointment.
One step at a time. Put one foot in front of the other… You can do this. Don’t break.
10
Hero
I FACED FORWARD in the chow line, eyeing the skinhead twenty feet in front of me. The one who called me awall-jumping spickwhen I first arrived. The one who sneered as he muttered,beaner. The stupid fucker. I’d never been to Mexico, and hell, I didn’t even like beans.
I’d been called a whole lot worse, so I had blown him off to avoid any drama with the racist piece of shit.
Not today, though.
“You understand your job,” I asked in a hushed tone, facing forward. Ryder maintained a foot’s distance behind me as I moved forward.
“Pass Dutra the small photo. Tell him ‘your life or theirs at midnight.’ Six words. Will he know what to do?” The questioning in his voice showed his youth and inexperience.
“Yes.” I took a couple more steps, sneering at the glowering skinhead.Game on, motherfucker.I just needed to maintain control. What happened next should only be a diversion. Nothing more. I didn’t want to catch any more charges.
