Page 13 of His Claim

Murphy

“Did he hit his head?”

“Probably just a food coma.”

My eyes fluttered open. “Assholes,” I muttered.

“Food coma,” Creed and Apollo sang in unison.

Tatum stirred next to me and buried her head in my neck.

“I told you two to leave them alone,” Ethel scolded. “You haven’t even eaten yet.”

“Just wanted to make sure they were breathing,” Creed called. “All good.” Creed moved away, but Apollo stayed standing over us.

“This is cozy,” he muttered.

“Fuck off, Apollo,” I grumbled.

After Tatum had gotten an eyeful in the bathroom, I showered and put on the sweatpants and shirt Gravel had given Tatum.

When I walked into the kitchen, Ethel had just finished making a batch of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Tatum and I had stuffed ourselves full and then collapsed on the couch, where we both promptly passed out.

“What are you wearing?” Apollo asked. “Is that a Devil’s Knights shirt?”

Tatum laid her hand on my chest and let out a little moan. I didn’t know how she was sleeping through this.

“It sure is. You got a problem with that?” Gravel called.

Apollo held up his hands. “No problem at all. I was thinking that I liked it so much that I should see if King could get me one.”

Apollo didn’t back down to anyone other than Leo, but it seemed that the grumpy old Gravel might have his number.

“Maybe we can see if Leo can make a Banachi shirt,” Creed suggested. “Something like Banchis, your friendly mafia.” Creed motioned across his chest. “Maybe like the cityscape of Chicago on the back or something.”

Apollo rolled his eyes and moved over to the kitchen table. “I would like to be present when you suggest that to Leo, okay?” he chuckled. He sat at the table with Creed, and they both worked on piling their plates full.

“Why are they so loud?” Tatum whispered. She had one eye open and looked sleepily up at me. “Do they not know we were kidnapped?”

I brushed her hair out of her face. “Hey, sleepyhead. You want to go lay down in the spare bedroom?” Ethel had offered us the spare bedroom after we ate, but the couch was closer.

Tatum shook her head. “I like it right here.”

Right here was plastered against my side with her head resting on my shoulder.

I liked it, too.

“How long did we sleep for?” she asked groggily.

“Over two hours.” And I needed it. I was dragging my ass as soon as my stomach was full. “Once Creed and Apollo eat, I’m going to head out with them to see if we can find Brandt. You okay with staying here?” I asked.

Tatum’s eyes darted to the left. “Uh.”

“I promise you’ll be safe here, baby girl. Gravel always shoots first and then asks questions.” I rubbed my hand up and down her arm. “And I know he won’t let anything happen to Ethel. You’re more than safe.”

“King and a few of the boys are headed this way,” Gravel interrupted. He raised his hand in the air. “Speak of the devil,” he smirked.

The loud rumble of a pack of bikes shook the cabin.

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