Page 5 of Crusher

“I found better ways to spend my free time than being around drunk, rowdy men.”

His grin grows wider, which is impressive since he rarely seems to smile in the first place. He’s a charming man, but I know it’s just to reel you in. He firmly believes in keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. I guess he has to, considering the nature of his business. No one in town is oblivious to what the Disciples do. But they don’t really hurt anyone, so everyone stays the hell out of their way.

“I heard that you helped Crusher this morning. Guess we’re indebted to you for looking out for him,” Venom confesses with sincerity I know is genuine.

“I help people for a living. It would go against my nature if I just let him die in the middle of the road.” I shrug. “Then again, if I had known it was him before I got outta my truck, I probably would’ve kept driving. Saving his ass made me late for work. And he certainly isn’t worth having my boss chastise me like a child in front of everyone.”

Venom blinks, then barks out a laugh. “I can see why Crusher has it bad.”

What’s he talking about?

“Has what bad? An STI?” I raise a questioning eyebrow.

This only makes Venom chuckle even louder. People around us turn to stare at him, but when they notice his size and realize who he is, they quickly avert their gazes.

Smart move. This man isn’t one you mess with.

“Fuck, he’s got his hands full with you, honey.”

I hiss. I hate that one almost as much as I hate the nickname Trouble. It feels belittling when men call me pet names, like I’m supposed to swoon and melt on cue. Although, truth be told, I do turn mushy when Crusher uses them with me. I can’t explain why, but I don’t like it. That man makes me messy, which also has me making poor choices when he’s around. Like all rational sense flies right out of the window, and my pussy controls my actions.

I plant my fists firmly on my hips and narrow my glare at Venom. “I’m not your honey. Or his.” I pivot my body away from him, gripping the stethoscope around my neck. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work. My boss is already trying to fire my ass.” I roll my eyes, thinking about Chad.

Venom’s eyes scan my face with hyperfocus, like he’s searching for some hidden answer. “Is that right?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” I wave him off, knowing he’s the type of man to take charge when a woman’s in distress. But I don’t need him to fight my battles. Not today, anyway. “Do me a favor and keep your boys outta my ER.”

I saunter off, about to disappear through the corridor doors when Venom calls out, “Guess I’ll be seeing you around the clubhouse. Honey.”

My only response is a raised middle finger as the sound of his boisterous laughter follows me down the hall.

My muscles ache with every step toward the locker room. I’m so damn exhausted I think I might just pass out on the long bench bolted to the floor. I change out of my scrubs, shoving them in my bag before dressing in my street clothes and heading out. Most days, I wear my scrubs to work, but I was running late leaving the house and threw on whatever I had next to the bed. Then I tossed my scrubs in my duffle on the way out of the door while I shoved a bagel into my mouth so I wouldn’t be starving by 9 a.m.

As far as twelve-hour shifts go, this one wasn’t too bad. After a rough start, things ran fairly smoothly, but there’d been moments where I found my boss staring daggers at me from across the room. I guess he’s still not over my tardiness from this morning. I have to find some way to get along with the jackass or working here is going to be rough.

I wave to the night shift nurses on my way out, sighing with relief at the sight of the automatic doors in front of me.

“Sadie! Hold up a minute!” a feminine voice calls after me.

I glance back to find a unit tech jogging my way, waving an envelope in the air. She hands it over and I stare at it before returning my gaze to hers. “What’s this?”

“One of the patients asked me to personally give this to you.” Her already flushed cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink. “He was the sexiest man I’ve ever seen,” she swoons.

Good Lord, what’s wrong with these women?

Haven’t they seen a hot guy before? He’s not even that attractive. Shit, even I know that’s a lie. The man is ridiculously gorgeous and it’s unfair.

I sigh loudly, knowing exactly who she’s referring to. I can’t fault her for her reaction to him because I felt the same way the night I jumped into his bed.

“Thanks.” I give her a courteous smile and reluctantly take the envelope from her hand, waiting until she walks away to open it.

“Spank me, Nurse” is scrawled on the back above a poorly drawn man’s ass. I shake my head, giggling to myself at the realization only Crusher would give me something like this. When I open the envelope, I find a fifty-dollar Starbucks gift card inside, along with a note.

This will have to do until I can eat you for dinner.

I mean, take you to dinner.

Enjoy looking at my ass in the meantime.

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