Page 217 of A Love Like Venom

Unlike the last time I saw him he’s in civilian clothes. The way he appears now one would never guess he’s a Sheriff.

He stops by my bedside, on the other side of where Grace sits. “Good to see you awake, Alice.” I don’t know him well but I know a genuine comment when I hear it and he’s nothing but genuine. I nod in reply not really knowing what to say. “Hollows Point detectives wanted to speak with you but I respectfully told them to fuck off. The last thing you need right now is them questioning you when you just woke up.”

I’m overwhelmed by his kindness. With everything happening so sudden I didn’t even realize that detectives would want to talk to me.

God, what is my story going to be?

All but two of The Crowned Devils MC men are dead.

My blood was at the crime scene and so was Reed’s.

How are we going to get out of this?

He must read minds because he answers for me all the questions I’ve been thinking. “You and Reed were tortured by The Crowned Devils MC. The both of you were helpless against them. You both acted out in self defense. There was no other alternative for either of you. I have a lawyer for the both of you. I trust him, he’s a good man. When the detectives come in to question don’t give them anything other than you are a victim. And if they try and charge you or Reed they’re out of their fucking minds. Hollows Point Police Department is corrupt as they come. Both Detective Higgins and Detective Shaw have dirt on them. They’ve helped keep that town riddled with crime. They throw the law at you I’ll make sure everything they’ve done comes to surface. Cops don’t last in jail. They won’t be any different.”

I blink up at him speechless. Here is a man I hardly know and he’s taking care of Reed and me.

How am I ever going to thank him?

“Thank you.” It’s a start but I plan to do more once all this is done.

He dismisses it with a wave of his hand. “Not necessary. One thing I hate more than innocent people getting hurt is corrupt fucking cops. They don’t deserve the badge. They go against everything we swore in on. Even if they don’t charge either of you I’ll make damned sure they never hold a badge again.”

“You seem like a really nice guy which makes no sense why Oak doesn’t like you,” Grace says to him.

Blake shifts on his feet, his jaw becomes tense. “And why would you say that?”

“That you’re a nice guy or that Oak doesn’t like you?”

He shrugs. “How about both?”

“You’re obviously a good guy for how you are protecting Alice and Reed. An even better one for saving Slater’s life. You seem like you’re one of the good cops. One who wants to protect and give to the community. But when you come around Oak becomes tense immediately. And he wears a stoic expression most of the time but he glared at you. Which begs the question, if you are such a good guy why does one of the best men I know not like you?”

“It’s a long story.” His tight lipped answer is no answer at all.

“I have time,” she cheekily replies.

He shuts her down rather quick. “Unfortunately, I do not. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to deal with something at The Sheriff’s office.” Before he leaves he addresses me. “Alice, I assure you that everything will be fine. I’ll be in touch.” With a nod he then leaves.

Both Grace and I stare at the door in shocked wonder.

“Oak really doesn’t like him?” I eventually ask her.

“Nope. You didn’t notice how tense they were with each other when going over the plan to save Reed?”

I hadn’t. I actually misjudged everyone’s intensity because of the situation The Crowned Devils MC forced us in. I thought that was all of us being tense and stressed about the situation. “I had other things on my mind.”

Her face falls. “Shit, you’re right. Sorry. You were only focused about Reed. I have never seen you so fierce. Honestly what you did was brave and courageous but I hate that you had to do it in the first place.”

“It was the only way.” Offering myself to Razor, pretending that I came to him willingly was the only way to find Reed’s location.

“I know. I still hated it for you but I understand.” She pauses and then asks me, “Do you want to see him?”

Hope flares inside of me. “You’ll take me to see him?”

“I was never going to keep you from him, Alice. I only wanted to make sure you were okay. That the doctor and nurses could check on you. I swear after that I was going to take you to him.”

“I believe you.”

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