Page 14 of Ripper's Redemption

Bama shrugs, “Oh well, what the fuck am I going to do about it, you know?”

I nod, knowing all too well. “I sure do.”

“I think it’s great you’re finally committing to something,” Bama starts, “I know commitment isn’t the easiest thing for you. It shows you’re changing, you’re growing up.”

It would mean more if this relationship wasn’t a fucking ruse.

I clear my throat, “The docs say how long you’re gonna be here?”

Bama rolls his eyes, “Another two fuckin’ weeks. Like, what the hell, man?”

Two weeks isn’t that bad when you really think about it. “It’s only two weeks, Bama. Just do what they say so you can get back to the club faster.”

Bama groans, shifting uncomfortably in the bed. “You don’t get it. I feel like I’ve been here for years already. Time passes so fuckin’ slow in here.” His face is pale, and the bandages around his midsection don’t help the situation. “I can’t stay here that long, Ripper.”

My voice gets a bit stern. “You don’t have an option, man. Obviously, they want you here for a reason. I bet since your surgery took longer than expected that they wanna keep a good eye on you, make sure you don’t get any infections, that sort of thing. Then once you’re ready, I’m sure they’ll let you out.”

“Shit.” He closes his eyes, frustration etched into every line on his face.

A silence stretches between us, heavy but familiar.

“The Commander did this, right?” he asks, voice low, almost a growl.

“Yeah,” I reply, my tone flat. “He was sending a message to the club, and you got the brunt of it.”

“That son of a bitch,” Bama mutters, shaking his head slightly. “The club needs to get him before he does this to someone else.”

“Yeah,” I agree, feeling a tightness in my chest. “We will. We’ll close in on him soon enough. It’s not like Zane is gonna let this shit fly.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Bama says, his eyes meeting mine with a fierce intensity. “There’s no way in hell he’d let this shit fly.”

I offer him a smile and stand, “I appreciate that, brother.” I grip Bama’s shoulder gently. “Get better, man. We need you back on your feet. The clubhouse isn’t the same without you.”

“Don’t you worry about me, Ripper. I’ll be back before you know it,” Bama promises.

I nod and turn to leave, feeling a lot of ease wash over me.

It’s not only nice to see Bama, but I know he’s going to do exactly what Tara and I want him too—gossip with the ladies and tell them about our newfound relationship.

We still have to deal with The Commander, and the club is working on tracking him down, but so far we haven’t found him.

There’s a storm brewing, but in this moment I feel calmer than I ever have.

“Get some rest while you can, man,” I say, straightening up. “You know the second you get back to the club you’ll be put to work.”

“Oh yeah, I’m catching up on as much sleep as I can while I’m trapped in this fuckin’ place.” he replies, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth despite the pain.

For a moment, it’s like we’re back at the clubhouse, swapping stories over beers.

Just two brothers in arms, ready to take on whatever comes next.

As I step out of his room, the scent of antiseptic fills my nostrils again, a cruel reminder of where we are. But beyond these walls, life goes on. And so will we.

As I head toward the exit, my thoughts drift back to Tara—the way her laughter lights up a room, the fierce independence in her eyes.

Yeah, maybe I am playing with fire.

But for once, I don’t mind getting burned.

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