Page 58 of Patching Over

“Why isn’t she scared of you?” Shadow asks Rael. “I mean, we’re scary-ass motherfuckers, especially when our Reapers are riding us, yet she’s like the old ladies at home, she acts as if nothing’s different.” Turning toward me, he states, “Why, Rayleigh?”

Once I’m settled into a warmed-up truck and everyone is inside, I inhale deeply then release all my pent-up emotion before answering. “When I was growing up, I lived with real-life monsters. They looked normal on the outside, but they were evil down to their very core. So were their friends who came and went from our house. I guess, even with the abilities y’all have, I instinctively know you don’t hurt the innocent, just the evildoers, so I’m no longer afraid? I don’t know how to answer that, Shadow. I mean, if I was in a dark alley and one of you came up on me suddenly, I’d probably scream my head off, not gonnalie. But y’all have helped me before, so when I recognized Rael, I wasn’t afraid.”

“Makes sense to me,” Rael replies as he navigates the truck toward what I’m hoping is Brick and our home.

“C-can I ask if you know how RiffRaff is?” I don’t mean to stutter, but my concern for Brick’s father is all-encompassing; it surpasses the fact I’m worried about my baby and whether or not the beating I took has hurt her or not.

No, I have no clue if it’s a girl, but I suspect the men in my life will go batshit crazy if they think I’m carrying a tiny female in my womb, so that’s how I’m referring to this new life I’m nurturing.

Gotta keep them all on their toes, otherwise, they’ll try to put me in bubble wrap and keep me insulated from the world.

“Voodoo and some of his men were there at the clubhouse when we got there, and they were taking care of him and the two downed prospects. I think all three are gonna be fine,” Rael says, grinning at me.

Okay, so his Reaper is still close to the surface because his grin was more like a grimace, complete with pointy teeth and shit. I swear, nightmares better not claim my sleep because I’m going to be pissed if they do. I know he’s trying to soothe me, which is why I just smile back.

“How is Brick?” I probe, missing the warmth of his arms that I’m wishing I were buried inside of now.

“Surprisingly, he didn’t lose his shit completely, but I suspect it was fucking close.”

“Why didn’t he come?” That’s the real question of the hour; I would’ve thought he’d be leading the charge to find me.

Once again, Rael answers, with Shadow grunting his agreement. “Murder suggested that he and his guys tag along since all of them just returned from looking for these asshats. He figured your ol’ man would want to check on his dad as well as the prospects. Since you belong to Brick and he’s a RoyalBastard, you’re family. Murder told him family helps whenever possible. Your man was ready to drop and when he found out you were taken, it was a major blow, Rayleigh.”

“I was so scared,” I admit, wanting to share my fear with these men so I can be calm for Brick.

“Give it to us, princess, we can handle it,” Shadow decrees in a commanding, intense, sturdy tone.

“From before, I knew the four men who burst into the common room were high on something, but when they pulled their guns on RiffRaff, I thought they were going to kill him in front of me. Especially after he pulled the trigger on his own gun, which had no bullets. I mean, Brick checks it every single day because he knows his dad will want a gun on him, but because of his Alzheimer’s there’s no way any of the men want him having live ammunition, y’know? So, I tried to get him to let me go with them, but RiffRaff was adamant that wasn’t happening. Unfortunately, when they realized his gun was empty, they rushed us and hurt him.”

I feel a hesitant hand pat mine, giving me strength to continue. Doing a few breathing exercises, I calm my heart rate and center myself.

“I fought them, though,” I proudly state. “Brew and Phantom taught me some self-defense moves when I first started working for the club businesses just in case a fight broke out in the bar. Although I'm not usually there when customers are, they felt it was important for me to know how to protect myself given how I grew up.”

“Princess, you kicked ass,” Shadow replies, a smirk lifting his upper lip. “Hell, that one guy’s face looks like raw meat or something with all the gouges, and the other one has quite an impressive shiner. I’d say you learned those lessons well, and you should be proud of yourself right about now.”

“I promised myself back when Brick found me half-dead that if I survived, no one was going to hurt me again if I could help it. I know I could’ve done more but they knocked me out, the jerks.”

“Well, their day of reckoning is upon them, trust me,” Rael haphazardly remarks, a sinister, dark tone in his voice that I choose to ignore.

“Yeah, thinking Brick’s not gonna be too happy when he sees how you’re bruised and banged up,” Shadow retorts, chuckling in such a way the hair on my arms stands up.

“He’ll be okay,” I reply, sounding far more confident than I really am right now.

I think he’s gonna lose his shit when he sees me.

“Why don’t you rest, we’ll be back before you know it,” Rael says, encouraging me to relax.

Despite the worry over what I’ll find at the clubhouse, the exhaustion pulls at me, and I find myself drifting into a light doze.

CHAPTER

NINE

Brick

Banshee and I are pacing outside the clubhouse since Murder called to tell me they were on their way back with Rayleigh in tow as well as the four hog-tied fuckers who took her.

“Want a hit?” Ban asks, lighting up a rolled blunt.

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