Page 13 of Scorched King

The confusion on her face startled me. “Do I? Belong I mean? I don’t have a job there anymore. What reason do I have to be there? I’m not cut out to be a club wh?—”

Anger and frustration swept through me so fast I wanted to stand and shake her. Good thing she had stopped herself before suggesting she would be nothing but a whore.

Over-my-dead-fucking-body.

“What the hell, Sasha? You think because the poker club burned down we’re just going to turn our backs on you and leave you in the cold? Or that we’d only see you as pussy. What kind of shit is that? You must not think very highly of us.”

“I’m an employee, not a club member, or an old lady. Why would I expect to return?”

Okay, she was seriously pissing me off with this shit. “Look. I don’t want to get into an argument with you right now. It doesn’t seem like the best time, but you are going home, and that’s final. Once you get settled we can talk and figure out the rest.”

Her eyes widened and part of me wanted to stand up and puff out my chest. Maybe beat on it a few times too. Fucking A right. It’s my goddamned club and I do what I want.

“Just like that?” She wiped more tears from her face.

I nodded and took to my feet. “Just like that.” I grabbed her duffel with one hand and held out the other to help her up. “Now take my hand and let me deal with the logistics. Okay?”

A small smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. “Okay. But I’m pretty sure I have to go out in a wheelchair. Hospital policy or something like that.”

I scoffed. “Do I look like the kind of man that takes orders or cares about policies that are not my own?”

“The nurses around here are pretty scary. You might want to rethink that position.” However, despite her doubts, she slipped her soft hand into my rough one and for the first time in weeks I felt a small amount of comfort steal over me.

I’d take care of her, keep her safe. That would have to be enough.

Even if that meant I had to watch her hook up with Bear. Although if he hurt her, then I would get to hurt him. My lips curved into a smile at that thought. I loved my MC brother, but Sasha was mine to protect. And I was going to do that if it took to my dying breath to succeed.

Now, we just had to get through the next few weeks. I hadn’t told her all the details on purpose, but she’d soon find out.

When we got back to the compound she was moving into my cabin.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sasha

It was funny to watch JD’s reaction when the head nurse on staff insisted I leave her hospital in a wheelchair. And even funnier when she threatened him with two orderlies. I didn’t doubt he could wipe the floor with those two men, but he’d been forced to show restraint and allow them to do what they wanted. Stubborn man.

The truck ride, on the other hand, now that had sucked. Bear tried to sit in the back with me, but JD had growled at him to take the front seat, which had resulted in complete silence the entire trip. Thankfully, Axel took pity on us all and turned on the radio to some classic rock station so at least there was that. But it was when we turned into the compound that I got really nervous.

The crunch of gravel under the truck’s tires sent shivers down my spine.

Memories of that night rushed back and sweat broke out on my skin. The explosion had happened so suddenly it had taken whatfelt like forever for me to realize what was going on. I didn’t run. I didn’t scream. I didn’t do anything but stand frozen in place as debris rained down on me. Even the wave of unbearable heat didn’t move me.

It wasn’t until the flames caught my eye that I thought about moving, and by then it was too late.

Smoke rolled across the ceiling in thick waves, carrying an acrid burning scent. My skin tightened, each new breath I took scorching my lungs as the inferno closed in. Through watering eyes, I saw shadows moving in the orange glow, but couldn’t tell if they were coming to help or…

“Are you okay?” JD’s brows were pinched in concern, but I could barely make out the words coming out of his mouth. “Jesus, Sasha.” He unbuckled my seat belt and pulled me into his lap. “It’s okay, baby. I swear nothing is going to happen to you again. The whole club is going to have your back.” His fingers were on my face, brushing the hair out of the way and making soft touches that I knew were meant to soothe me.

Any other time, I would have been thrilled by his touch, but right now I could barely breathe, let alone think.

“She’s having a panic attack,” Bear said from the front seat, his concern loud and clear.

“I got that,” JD responded. His hands were cupping my face now and turning my head to meet his gaze. “Look at me, Sasha. You’re safe here, I promise. The man who hurt you was taken care of.”

“What?—What does that mean?” He’d caught my attention and I wanted to know more.

“It means he’s dead. So he can never hurt you or anyone else again.”

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