Page 33 of Throttle

“It’s obvious Bertelli sent his henchmen out for revenge. I doubt the police will come knocking, asking who helped take out the trash. And if they do, we’ll remind them to be fucking grateful and to fuck off.”

“And the innocent bystanders?”

“We tried to get to as many as we could, but we didn’t get them all.” I can read the regret all over his face. “What I don’t understand is why the bastard attacked out in the open like that. They came after Sienna before, but it was just her. So why put other people in the way if she was his only goal? Makes me wonder what else that fucker Tony is up to.” Venom scratches his bearded chin, a mindless quirk of his when he’s working through a problem that irks him.

I’m just as angry as he is. The only ones who should’ve died are Tony’s men. And the few who got away? They can count on us finishing what they started. No one comes after what’s mine, which includes my club and Sienna now, and lives to see another day. Not for long anyway.

I thought it was strange only three men came after us once we fled the courthouse. There’s no way they could’ve known we had Disciples waiting for an ambush. And they couldn’t have known Sienna was under our protection. So, why did Bertelli have so many men show up?

Yeah, Venom’s right that this asshole has another agenda. I just don’t know what the fuck it is yet.

“We’ll worry about Bertelli another day. I can guarantee his incarceration will be short and it won’t be because of his good behavior.” The corner of Venom’s mouth turns up into a sinister smirk. “I’m gonna head back and take care of some things. You good?”

I collapse into my chair and lean forward, running a hand over my face. “I’m good here, brother. I’ll keep you posted.”

“You call me when she wakes up. I gotta meet Lucien.”

Fuck. That old man is gonna have my ass. We promised him we’d keep Sienna safe while he tended to another client. But that’s a promise I didn’t keep.

I hold Sienna’s hand while she lies unconscious in her hospital bed. The doctor confirmed this is normal for someone who’s experienced the kind of physical trauma she has. But, as the hours tick by, I grow more and more uneasy. My emotions vary from minute to minute. I go from being guilt-ridden, to angry, to worried.

Then the cycle repeats itself.

At some point, Tex and Breaker stop in to check on her and bring me fresh clothes. I guess Doc told them I looked like hammered shit after he came by to fix me up. Then, Emma and Sentinel show up after that, and she immediately bursts into tears upon seeing her friend injured and unconscious. Apparently, it triggered her own past trauma, and Sentinel was quick to take her home. But not until she made me swear to keep her up to date on Sienna’s condition.

I’m glad those two hit it off. It’ll make it easier to convince Sienna to stay with me once this shit is all over. Because there’s no way I’ll ever be without her again—now, I can see why Sentinel keeps Emma by his side at all times. I plan to do the fucking same whether my ol’ lady likes it or not.

I groan as I shift in the pleather lounger next to Sienna’s bed, the pain of my own injuries sinking in the longer I sit here. I bring her hand to my lips, gently kissing her knuckles, when the door cracks open and Lucien walks in. I’m prepared to endure his wrath, but he doesn’t say a word. He simply walks to the other side of her bed and stares at her with anguish in his eyes. I swallow down my shame and remorse as I look away.

I know how much this man means to Sienna as well as her significance to him. He never married, never had children of his own, and as far as he’s concerned, Sienna is his only family. I’m sure he regrets that he wasn’t there to protect her, just as he likely regrets putting me in charge of her care. But what’s done is done, and all we can do now is make it right.

Tears well in Lucien’s eyes as he looks at me while gently stroking her hair. “Are you alright?”

I stare at him, surprised at his calm disposition. “I’m fine. Just wish she’d wake up is all.”

“You and me both, son.” He bows his head and glances back at Sienna. “I don’t blame you for this, you know. And neither will she.” My chest tightens with emotion I wasn’t expecting. “There’s only one person to blame and Venom assures me he’ll be dealt with swiftly.” Lucien’s lips pinch together in a tight line as he seethes with anger.

“He will, even if I have to do it myself.”

“You just focus on her.” Lucien bends down to kiss Sienna’s forehead. “I know she loves you. Even though I tried to convince her otherwise.” He chuckles softly when I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “I know all about this life, son. And believe me when I say this isn’t what her father or I ever wanted for her. But she’s a stubborn little thing, and when her mind’s made up, no one can change it. Not even the man she’s in love with. I hope you can handle her. Far better men than you have tried.”

“Those supposedly better men failed. And maybe I failed her too. But no one, and I mean not one motherfucker on this earth, will ever love her like I do. I’ll destroy the world if I have to for her. And burn anyone who gets in my way.”

Lucien’s smile is subtle but sincere as he looks me in the eye. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” With a parting kiss to her cheek, he warns, “Take care of our girl… or I’ll take care of you.”

I have to hand it to the old man. He’s more devious than he lets on.

16

THROTTLE

It’s almost 5 a.m. and I’m exhausted. My body aches and my ass hurts from sitting here, but there’s no way in fucking hell I’ll leave this bedside until Sienna wakes up. My eyelids are heavy and begin to drift closed when her hand suddenly twitches in mine.

I immediately sit up, my gaze searching her face for any sign that she’s finally coming to. Then, my heart stutters when her eyes blink open, and I hurriedly press the call button for a nurse.

“Hang on, Princess. They’ll be here to check you out in just a second.” I reach out to cup her cheek with my hand, smoothing my thumb across her soft skin, grateful as fuck that she’s finally awake.

The night shift nurse knocks on the door before entering, then checks Sienna’s vitals. She pages the on-call doctor and informs us she’s on her way. A few moments later, a woman in her mid-forties rushes in wearing a white lab coat and hot-pink scrubs.

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