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“Understood. Does he want to move her to Kentucky?”
“Said he’ll give the rundown to Mama and see what she thinks. I think they’re doing that now. Says he’d rather get her a CT scan, especially of her face, before he decides she’ll be all right here unless she starts getting sick. I agree.”
“Can he pull some strings to get that done off the books here?”
Eagle shrugged. “Maybe. Would have to be at a private clinic at night, though. With someone he trusts not to say anything. He doesn’t want any of this getting back to the mayor. Says if it comes down to it, he’ll take her to his own hospital and register her under a false name. That way her daddy can’t find her with any of his connections.”
“Good. We have short- and long-term plans. As to the longer-term plans…” He glanced around at our brothers. “Someone’s gonna have to put his property tattoo on her.”
“No shortage of men willin’ to do that,” Atlas said. My hackles rose when several of them voiced their agreement and offered to take her on.
“No,” I said, a little more loudly than I should have. “I’ll take her.”
“No fuckin’ way,” Atlas growled.
Sting shook his head as well.
“Winter would kill me if I gave approval on that,” Roman muttered.
“No shit.” Sting snorted. “I gotta hear this, though.” He focused his attention back on me. “Why do you think you’d make her a good protector? If that video is to be believed -- and I gotta tell you, you made a fuckin’ believer outta me -- you hate that girl. You don’t like her being around here, you literally risked your life to run her off. Now you think you’re the one to take her on?”
“I do.”
When I didn’t elaborate, Sting gave me an exasperated look. “Why?”
“Because she chose me first.”
“Yeah, and I’m sure, given what you said and what happened after, she’ll be even quicker to unchoose you.” Sting stood. “I’ll take Iris with me, and we’ll talk to her. I’ll present your offer to her and see what she wants. Ultimately, it’s her choice. I want her to feel safe and be comfortable.” He stopped in front of me, nose to nose. “Regardless of what she chooses, if you so much as look at her cross-eyed, I swear by God, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, I will fuckin’ bury you.”
“Understood, Prez.” I knew I’d just signed up for a tall order. Not only would Blossom likely reject me, but how the fuck was I going to be gentle with her? I didn’t have a gentle bone in my fucking body.
“Until I talk to Blossom and get her wishes, you’re confined to quarters.”
“Need someone to look after my dogs.”
“I’ll do it.” Mars lifted his chin. “Dog’s only snapped at me once since she had the pups. She won’t let no one else near her except you. And Blossom.” Yet another blow, and I wasn’t stupid enough to believe he hadn’t said it on purpose. If Dog liked her, it was a good indicator she was a good person. Yet I’d beat her down. Maybe not physically, but verbal blows could be just as damaging as physical ones.
“Very well.” Sting’s gaze swept the room, looking at each of us in turn. “I want a double guard around the gate and patrolling the fence. No one gets in or out without Roman knowing about it.” Roman grunted in acknowledgment. “I have no idea when this bastard will show up for Blossom, but he will. He doesn’t get her. Understood?” Agreement all around. “Church dismissed.”
Sting gave me a withering look before he left. He didn’t have to tell me I was on shaky ground. I could feel it as all my brothers passed by me.
“I hope the fuck you know what you’re doin’, man.” Mars was usually the easy-going one. He wasn’t as extroverted as Wylde, but he was always quick to joke and generally laid back. Nothing got to the man. It was probably why Dog tolerated him as well as she did.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Me the fuck too.”
Chapter Four
Blossom
Pain was my whole world. Well, that and the small, soft furry body next to me. The puppy whined occasionally, shivered continually, and snuggled as close to me as she could. She kept me grounded when I really wanted to just disappear into a black abyss and let go of everything.
Hushed voices moved around me, though I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Men’s voices. Maybe one woman? When I tried to concentrate, my head pounded, so I just did my best to drift.
“Honey, I know you’re hurtin’, but we need to get some images of your face. While we’re at it, might as well do a head CT as well as chest and abdomen. I’m worried you may have some internal injuries, and I’d like to know the extent of your facial injuries.”
