Page 56 of Static

Arching a brow at her, I asked, "Is it? Maybe I should show you why it's not, Baby Girl."

She gave another one of those smiles, the kind that didn't reach her beautiful blue eyes. "I don't think I could right now anyway," she said, voice low.

Frowning, I slowly moved over to the bed and sat next to her. "Did the noise startle you that badly?" I mean, it made me jump for my gun, so I could understand why it upset her.

She shrugged one shoulder and gave me a wry grin. "The strangest things set me off sometimes."

"Like blood." It wasn't a question.

Her eyes flashed to me, then away. "Especially yours," she whispered. "Or my kids. Jordan, Ricochet, probably any of the women. I don't know if it would happen if the blood wasn't from someone I care about, but when it is? It sends me over the edge."

Reaching over, I grasped her chin in a gentle but firm grip and forced her to meet my eyes. "That would freak out most people," I told her. "I can stay here with you. I don't want to leave if you're struggling." My phone started up from behind me again.

"I'm okay," she said, her hand coming up and wrapping around my wrist.

It was a comforting touch. A way of her connecting with me. She wasn't trying to pry my grip off her.

"I'm awake and that's half the battle."

The phone started up a third time and I snarled out a few curses. Releasing her, I grabbed it. "Yeah?" My eyes were on her as I listened to Lockout. "Sure thing, Prez," I told him. "I just need a few minutes to settle...something."

There was a pause, then Lock replied. "Take all the time you need. We'll deal with shit down here. Don't leave until she's okay."

I didn't even need to tell him that I was helping Gwen. I swore sometimes the fucker was psychic. "Thanks." I ended the call. "I have a few minutes," I told her, motioning for her to come to me as I settled back against the headboard again. The knot in my chest eased when she climbed over and settled against my side. If she had refused, or shrank away from me, I wasn't sure how I'd handle it. I only knew that I would. Whatever it took, that was what I'd do for this woman.

Twenty minutes later, I made it outside. I hadn't left until Gwen lost that panicked look in her eyes. Much to my surprise, and probably hers later, she'd fallen back asleep. As much as I didn't want her having another nightmare while I wasn't there, she needed the rest. So, I tucked her in, then went back to my room to change.

"What the fuck was that sound?" I asked as I met up with Idaho.

"The car Cynic's driving backfired," he replied.

"Didn't sound like a car backfiring," I muttered.

"Amazing how a woman's thighs can distort sound like that, right?"

I glared over at the man who was like a brother to me. "Fuck off."

He chuckled. "For a man who's finally getting pussy, you sure are a cranky fucker."

"Who's getting pussy?" Toxic asked, walking up and sniffing the air. He shot me a look and a grin spread over his face. "Oh."

"No," I said, pointing at him. "I don't have the patience for you this morning. Go cavort with your own kind."

"Cavort." He made a face. "Keep your fancy insults to yourself, lawyer. They make you sound like a jackass."

"Probably doesn't know the meanin' of the word," Hush chuckled as he walked up.

"I don't know the meaning of a lot of words." Toxic flipped him off, then headed over to the men standing around Lock and another man.

"That's not the flex you think it is!" I shouted at him. To Hush I asked, "Who's that?"

"That's Cypher," Hush answered. "President of The Berserkers. Well, the Wyomin' Chapter anyway."

"Oh shit," I replied. "I haven't met him yet."

"Most of the guys haven't," Hush said. "Come on. Let's go introduce you two assholes." He slapped a hand on my shoulder and shoved me forward.

It was chaos. I hadn't seen some of the guys in a while. Most I knew from the military. It was a small world, especially for Special Forces. I was pounded on the back for the fifth time that day before I made it to the middle of the circle.

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