Page 43 of Patching Over

Waking up in the middle of the night, I feel Brick’s warmth at my back while Hobbes purrs contentedly around the top of my head, both of these things settle me, and I end up feeling content.

So many thoughts are running rampant through my brain, I don’t really know where to start or how to sort them in an order so I can begin processing them fully.

“You okay, babe?” His rumbly voice is sleep-laden as a puff of his warm breath caresses the back of my neck, making me shiver.

“There’s a lot to think about, Brick.” My voice is whisper soft since I don’t want to break the cozy silence by talking any louder than I am.

“I understand, but the main takeaway for you is you’re a club princess, you’ve always been one. While it fucking sucks how you grew up, those fuckers are dead and gone and I swear that you’ll never be hurt again.”

“You can’t promise something like that, though, not realistically.”

And in reality, he can’t.

I know they’ve likely got some sworn enemies, and regardless of how big the club he’s a part of now truly is, they’re stationed around the world, not all downstairs. So even if shit comes at them from an unknown threat, there’s no way everyone could respond in time to prevent anyone from being injured. Which means, Icouldpotentially be hurt again.

“Maybe not, so instead, I’ll say it this way. If anyone thinks they’re going to harm one strand of hair on your head, they’re going to pray for a quick and easy death by the time I’m done with them.Thatmuch I can promise you, Rayleigh. Because if I don’t do it, your brother sure as hell will.”

“I always wished for a brother,” I confess. “Someone to ride in and save the day, you know? Like all the books I read as a little girl when I was still in school, and the prince swooped in and protected the maiden from the fire-breathing dragon.”

“Well, if fairytales are true, then you’ve gone through the nightmare years and now it’s time for the happily-ever-after, sweetheart.”

“You know they’re not, but I will say I’m thankful you gave me the time I needed.”

“It sure the fuck wasn’t easy,” he replies, chuckling. “Not gonna tell you how many times the brothers talked me down from riding over to your place, tossing you over my shoulder then bringing you back to my lair.”

I can’t help the giggle that escapes as I turn in his embrace so I can cup his cheek in my hand. Looking up at him, I kiss his lips. “But you didn’t, and that means more to me than anything, Brick. I know I’ve still got a ways to go with this whole lifestyle change, but having the knowledge now about how to do the things I didn’t know how to do before makes it a lot easier to process and handle. That probably doesn’t make any sense, does it?” I question.

“It does. If I had bulldozed in and brought you here without letting you make decisions and choices on your own, no matter how well I would have treated you, I would have been no better than your captors were.”

“No! That’s not true, you would never lay a hand on me with the intention to hurt me,” I vehemently protest.

“Not what I meant, Ray. Your whole life, what you can remember of it, anyhow, you’ve had every facet of your day controlled. Then, when you didn’t do what you were told, or didn’t do it the way they wanted, you were punished. While that definitely wouldn’t happen here, how long would it have taken for you to completely shrink into yourself if I had just barreled on into your life instead of being patient?”

I look at him with wonder in my eyes. “Maybe you’re right. I know I can discuss things with you and even get upset or angry and you’re not going to lash out at me.”

“Not gonna happen, babe. I might be in a shit mood and a bit short-tempered, but I’ll never knowingly direct that toward you. It’s not how I was raised and not what I believe in.”

“Can you tell me more about that day?” I quietly ask. “I mean, if you were there, that is. I don’t want to ask Banshee because it’s obviously very traumatic for him if yesterday was any indication.”

He rolls over onto his back and pulls me snugly against his side tucking me in, his hand now caressing along my arm and back. Both Calvin and Hobbes get themselves adjusted since he disrupted their sleep and are soon purring once again, using us as their beds.

I giggle slightly thinking about the fact they’ve got a fancy cat tree in the sitting area, and several different beds all around our suite, yet they prefer to sleep on us.

“What’s got you tickled, babe?” he asks, kissing my forehead.

“Just look at these two, Brick! They’ve got fancy beds and stuff yet where are they sleeping? On top of us. Not only that, but I caught them curled up in the bathroom sink yesterday.”

He chuckles then says, “Cats are curious by nature. Bet the sink’s porcelain was cooler for them to curl up in or something to that extent.”

“We havesnowon the ground and Christmas is right around the corner.”

“We’ve got a few weeks for the fat man in the red suit, babe.”

“I have to finish my shopping,” I mutter, completely bypassing the subject at hand.

“The day you were kidnapped—” he starts, leaving the sentence hanging, causing my breath to seize in my body.

Suddenly, I feel as though the information he’s about to impart is going to shatter the rest of me and I desperately wish I had kept my mouth shut instead of asking him to recall that grim day.

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