Page 91 of Bloom: Part 1

They hollered and waved, and one man walked over to us. He checked over Bloom, nodding as though satisfied. I figured if he found a hair out of place, my face would get acquainted with his fist. How could I feel mad about that when I was just as protective over Bloom?

“Well, damn, Doc. You let this boy willfully play with your neck like that? Don’t you know how dangerous he is?”

I shrugged. “There are worse ways to die.” I’d already mentally prepared myself for the comments when I saw the bruises this morning’s lovemaking had left on me. It’d felt too good to care about how it would look to others. Hopefully, they faded before I had to work tomorrow. The rumor mill at the hospital was already working overtime about my relationship with Bloom.

“Bloom, go get your man a drink,” Crowe said. “I’ll show him around.”

Crowe introduced me to everyone. I wouldn’t remember them all, but I made mental notes as much as possible. They were all rowdy, and in no time, they roped me into a poker game—nogambling per Crowe’s rules. Tonight was a family-friendly affair, with the kids in attendance.

Bloom stayed by my side for a few until the kids and a blond boy—Chris—fetched him. Chris looked barely out of his teens, but he wore a motorcycle jacket just like the others and a prospect patch. Seeing Bloom play with the kids warmed me from the inside out, so I relaxed and gave his friends a chance. If they were willing to give up, even temporarily, the booze and the smoking, maybe they weren’t so bad. They even had a swear jar, which was overflowing, but they tried. The money would go to the pediatric unit of the hospital, they said.

Last Christmas, when they ran the donation drive for the hospital and made those children’s day, I’d thought it was a PR stunt orchestrated by Jamie to give them a good name in the town, but they seemed to genuinely care for their children.

The ex-mayor seemed happy. The rough men didn’t faze him at all, and his biker treated him like a prince. They were always touching, kissing, and exchanging heated looks. Perhaps I’d overestimated their evilness. Those I’d been associated with didn’t spare children or women. They showed no remorse to whatever innocent victim got caught in the crossfire.

“I think the doc’s cheating,” one guy called me out after I beat them again. He hadn’t stopped talking since he sat at the table, but from the way the others ignored him, I figured it was a normal occurrence.

“Prove it,” I challenged, calmly shuffling the deck.

“I don’t know how you did it, but I’ll find out.”

I shrugged and dealt, my eyes flicking to Bloom. He was still with the children, a look of pure joy etched on his face as he joined in their games. A rush of affection flowed through me at seeing him so happy.

Why did this feel normal?

“So you fucking crazy over there?” The same man grinned, nodding in Bloom’s direction.

He was trying to get a rise out of me, and he succeeded.

“Shut the fuck up, Tango,” Saint growled. “Keep Bloom’s name out of your mouth.”

“I didn’t call no name.” But Tango fell quiet, though the way he glared at me was full of resentment. The other bikers were cool, but for some reason, he didn’t like me. Or Bloom.

When he left the table, everybody let out a sigh of relief. Grimm and James appeared with their entourage behind them. Grinning, he headed straight for the table and took the place Tango had vacated.

“Dr. Collier, or maybe I should call you Logan now that you’re a part of the family.”

I dealt James in. “Dr. Collier will do.”

“Oh, come on. I’m sure that’s not what Bloom calls you.”

“Bloom’s different.”

His grin grew wider, but he didn’t push. As if hearing his name, Bloom walked over with a glass he set in front of me.

“Thanks.” I smiled at him.

“You’re welcome.”

James let out a repressed squeal. I rolled my eyes, rubbing Bloom’s thigh. At some point, Gerald and Bay said good night and took the kids with them. They were barely gone when the music came on, the liquor flowed, and a few bikers lit up a cigarette, proving my theory they’d P-G’d everything earlier for the kids’ sake.

“Do you want to go?” Bloom whispered in my ear. “I know this isn’t your kind of thing.”

It wasn’t, but one night of clubbing hadn’t done any harm, so one night among these leather-clad men wouldn't either.

“Not yet. Maybe in an hour?”

“All right.”

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