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He may be an abusing asshole, but the terror-filled sounds have me staring at Banshee in horror. “What’s going on?”
“The mountain lion is showing him the error of his ways,” he finally says after a long silence.
“The mountain lion?” I’m confused as hell right now and worry that I’ve slipped over the edge into insanity. I remember talking to a mountain lion earlier, one who seemed as though he understood every word I spoke.
“Maybe the hawk too, not totally sure because when I heard you, I came running out,” he admits.
“Banshee, what you’re saying doesn’t make any sense at all,” I reply, wincing when he carefully stands with me in his arms.
“Some things are best left undiscussed,” he says, walking toward the club’s SUV. “Because it defies reality. Now, let’s get you back to their clubhouse so I can get you checked out.”
“What about Patrick?” I ask once I’m inside the SUV and he’s behind the wheel.
“My brothers are going to take out the trash,” he replies. “Did he tell you why he took you?”
“Yeah. I guess the RV my grandfather bought for me was originally his or something. He said he had stuff hidden in it, but Grampy and I went over it with a fine-tooth comb and didn’t find anything at all, so I think he’s mistaken.”
“He wasn’t, sweetheart. We found a shit ton of drugs in a hidden compartment that was just below the engine block.”
“Drugs?” I whisper. “I’ve been haulingdrugsaround? Jesus Christ.”
“They’ve been disposed of,” he says, reaching over and taking my hand in his. “Except for the day my little sister was taken from us, I’ve never been more scared in my life when that phone call came in from the ol’ ladies.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur.
“Not your fault, Rory. The blame is solely on that fucker’s head. How did he find you?”
I laugh but there’s a bitterness to it that I don’t bother hiding. “He saw my breakdown on the side of the road. Turned around but y’all were there by then so he said he waited then followed us to the clubhouse. He then kept watch until we left today and tracked us to the mall. From there, he waited for the perfect opportunity.”
He squeezes my hand lightly then says, “Again, none of it is on you, babe. We’ll get back, get you cleaned up, then allow a doctor they know to examine you to make sure you don’t need further care.”
“Think my ribs are broken this time,” I admit. “It hurts to take a deep breath, feels like my chest is on fire.”
* * *
“I’m going to help you, Rory,” he says. “You can barely lift your arms, how are you going to get the blood out of your hair?”
“I’ll manage,” I reply, tears hovering once again. “Please, Banshee?”
He cups my face in his hands and kisses my forehead. “I need this, Rory. I need to take care of you, please don’t take that from me.”
Dammit. I can see the sincerity in his eyes and while I don’t know all the particulars of his sister’s situation, I know it left an impact on him because he’s been touching me in some way, shape, or form since he picked me up. And not in a sexual way, but in a ‘I need to reassure myself you’re okay’ manner, which endears him to me a little bit more.
“Okay, but I’m not up for what happened during our last shower,” I warn him, causing him to chuckle.
“Sweetheart, I wouldn’t be the man my father raised if I tried to take advantage of you when you were hurt. He may have died before I reached adulthood, but there’s no way I’ll ever force myself on you when you’re in obvious pain. Doesn’t mean I won’t be hard as a rock because that’s the effect you have on me, but I’m able to control myself. Although, I might take care of it while we’re in there so the sheets don’t get messy.”
Despite the pain wracking my body, I giggle, knowing he’ll do as he says. Reaching up, I pull his face closer to mine and kiss his lips. “Thank you for finding me, Banshee.”
“Any time, Rory, and twice on Sundays.”
I giggle again before he captures my lips in a gentle yet thorough kiss. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up.”
“You’re the boss.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
* * *
