Page 31 of Medusa's Revenge

“Why aren’t you in the hospital? Who let you out?” I demand, trying to give him my best death glare.

“I’m not in the hospital because you need me here. They didn’t have a choice. I signed out against doctor’s orders.” He smiles, and I slap his good side. “Now, TJ and I are here. What can we do?”

“Eat.” Pop comes out of the kitchen with food. “You’re no good if you all pass out from lack of food. Bubbles and I have been cooking for the last hour. Come eat. Buffet style.” He starts to turn around but then stops, pinning me with a glare. “That means you too. Don’t bullshit me with this, I couldn’t eat a thing. You’re no good to anyone if you’re the one in the hospital.”

“You realize I run this club, right?” I sass Pops back.

“Yes, but if you don’t have the strength to run it, you’re leaving the monkeys loose.” Everyone laughs, including me. He wasn’t wrong. Noah clasps his hand with mine and guides me to the buffet.

“Even if it's a little bit of everything. Just eat. I’m starving. I kicked ass in physical therapy today.” I laugh. It feels so good to have him so close to me. We make our way to a table where TJ is sitting with Derby. He pulls me into a side hug.

“We’ll figure things out. Michelle will be found safe and sound, and you can fuss over her all you want until she fights you about smothering her.”

“Did we do this to her? Could it be Luca?” My eyes go around the table to TJ and Noah. A knowing look passes through them. “What?”

“Luca came to see me this morning. He wanted to pay my medical bills. He also wanted to talk about buying the businessand customers.” Noah tells me. My blood is boiling. “We think it has to do with the land.”

“We’re on that theory as well. Joker is in her office looking through things.” I look over my shoulder at her closed office door. I hate how she’s isolating herself from us with all this work. If I could help, I’d do it. I sigh, bringing my attention back to the conversation.

“Are you okay? I know that’s a stupid question but other than Michelle missing, are you okay?” Noah’s voice is concerned and it’s not as patronizing as I thought it’d be.

“I’m exhausted. There’s so much going on right now, and to add this on top of it. I don’t know where to go from here.” I lay my head on his shoulder. He kisses my hair.

“I got you, buttercup. This is easier said than done but try not to worry about a thing. You’re not alone. You have an army of fierce women and two men by your side. Rely on us. Don’t do anything alone.”

“I can’t put you through this. I don’t need a man to protect me and can do it on my own.” I snapped, and everyone stops eating, watching us.

“Merida, I didn’t mean anything like that. I know you can do it alone, but you’re not alone.” I push my chair back, listening to it scrape on the floor. He watches me as I put my palms on the table.

“Go back to the hospital.” I stomp away from the group and slam my office door shut. The noise is like a bomb going off. I slide down the wall and cry into my knees. I’m mentally exhausted and don’t know what to do or where to go from here. There’s a light knock on the door.

“Melly?” TJ’s voice on the other side of the door, makes my heart ache a little more.

“Come in.” I don’t even try to stand up, wipe my face, or look presentable. He comes in with a Dr Pepper then hands it to me as he slides down the wall to sit beside me.

“You don’t always have to have the answers. You have seven women who are your officers. They’re your most trusted best friends. Then there is me who knows you better than anyone, even more than the women out there.” He smiles wide. I can’t help but smile at that, too. “Noah is new to this world. He has this hero complex. He couldn’t protect his mom in the marriage to his biological dad. Noah likes being the one you can rely on. I like that about him. He’s not trying to take away your ability to be who you are; he’s trying to give you his strength.”

“I’m the President. They’re looking for me to lead them.” I rest my head on my knees.

“No. They’re looking at you because you’re hurting. Michelle is family to them, too. They’re scared, too, but want to help. They might have some ideas.”

“TJ, what do you want me to do?” I beg him.

“We go out there and see if Joker found anything. I can take a couple of the girls to Michelle’s place since I know where she moved. They can do their thing and come back. Joker can look into Michelle’s phone records. She might’ve texted someone before she was taken. I’ll give Joker the address, and she will search cameras in the area.”

“Sounds like a good plan. What should I do?” TJ puts a strand of my hair behind my ear. He chuckles.

“You can get some rest. Noah needs a nap. He overdid it. Bubbles will stay here with you, Flanegan, and Shrink and the rest of the girls. They can be in charge of whatever you had them on before we got here.” I open my mouth to argue, but he holds up a hand. “You need to be one hundred percent clear mentally because you can’t be firing a gun with how you’re crashing hard. I love you.” TJ stands and walks out of the room. I wipe my faceand follow him. “Now, Tripline, DaVinci, and Derby will come with me. We’re going to Michelle’s house, and you’ll do the thing you do. I know her roommates, so I can talk to them. Joker will keep typing her way through everything. Medusa and Noah will rest. She’s exhausted, and he’s in pain. We don’t know anything right now, but we need to do our own legwork. Any concerns? Any different ideas?”

“Do we pull people off Richie Jr.’s place?” Tripline speaks up first.

“Who is that?” Noah asks, looking around the room.

“The dude who tried to blow you up.” Tripline slaps her forehead. “Fuck. Sorry, Medusa.”

“You know his name?” Noah stares at me and his eyes darken. He’s pissed. I just nod. I don’t know what else to say or do. He downs his drink and finishes eating. I’m afraid to find out what’s going on in his head.

TJ claps his hands, bringing attention to him, “No. Keep whoever you have on that asshole. You have a plan if you find him, right?” TJ gives me the look that we will talk about this later. I nod. “Good. Now, let’s get going. I want to get there before the dumb bitches clean up. Michelle’s friends aren’t the brightest.” TJ hugs me before walking out. He tells the girls he’s with that they’ll take his truck because they know it. He might be able to sneak in under the radar.

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