Page 26 of Pike

“You did, Jailbait. But I make it a point not to hit women.”

“This is all so confusing.” I cover my face with my hands. Pike sits up and pulls my hands free before looking me in the eye.

“There’s nothin’ confusin’ about this, sweetheart. You’re mine now. I take care of what’s mine. You wanna work? Fine, but the Blake shit and the RRMC shit? That’s on me. That’s for me to take care of. You got me?” I nod my head slowly, although I don’t like the idea of him handling my problems.

“I’m sorry, Pike.”

“For what?”

“Bringing you so many problems.”

“You brought me more than that, Feather. Don’t worry about it. I got this.” I nod my head when he pulls me into him. I snuggle into his chest and close my eyes, just breathing him in. He holds me tightly, and I listen to the sound of his heart beating against me.

I don’t know if this is the right thing to do. I don’t know if leaving this for Pike to deal with is the right decision. I brought this shit on myself. I let Blake dictate what I did and now Pike is going to clean up the mess. I don’t know how I feel about that.

“What are you thinkin’ about?”

“The fact you have to clean up my mess.”

“Don’t think of it that way. I don’t have to do shit I don’t wanna do, Feather. It’s my choice, and I’m choosin’ you.”

“I don’t understand why.”

“Does there need to be a reason?”

“Kinda.” The stillness and silence are a little unnerving. Pike isn’t saying anything, and I don’t know what to say. Then he speaks.

“You came back,” he murmurs.

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t leave me in my room at the hospital. You came back to check on me,” he tells me.

“I’m a nurse, Pike. I’m supposed to.”

“No. You didn’t have to. You didn’t have to tell the guys I was okay. You didn’t have to come when I called for you. You made a choice, Feather. A damn good one too.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re here now.”

Chapter 13

Pike

I fucked her a few more times before I let her sleep. I wasn’t interested in sleeping, which brings me to now. I’m sitting here in the main room at the bar with a beer in my hand, thinking about what I’m doing.

“Why are you up?” I turn and look over my shoulder at Free as he strolls toward me before taking a seat next to me.

“Just thinkin’ about shit.”

“Regrettin’ shit or just thinkin’?”

“Just thinkin’. I need to make this shit right, Free.”

“And you don’t think you can?” he asks.

“I know I can, but that’s goin’ against the RRMC. That’s not a small war,” I tell him. He nods his head before reaching over and grabbing a bottle of water. I watch him uncap it and bring it to his lips before looking back over at me.

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