Page 34 of Cerberus's Branding

“Just cause the doc released you from the hospital doesn’t mean you’re not going to keep your ass in bed,” I grumble staring down at Ember while she adjusts herself in the bed.

I hadn’t wanted her to leave the hospital just yet, but the doc said she was healed enough to leave nearly a week after she woke up. I’d have kept her there until I knew she was fully healed, though I’m sure she’d have killed me herself if the doc had even allowed for her to stay there.

“I’m fine, Jase. The doctor said I could start moving around more, and I need to do it to keep from getting stiff,” she says, waving me off. “Now, godo something and leave me be to binge-watch a serial killer documentary.”

Serial killer documentary?

Seriously?

She thinks I’m gonna leave her be while she binges that shit? I don’t think so.

If I didn’t have to go find out what’s going with all the shit I’ve missed since being at the hospital with Ember, I’d tell her how fucked up it is she wants to watch documentaries. Maybe I should put on something for her and take the remote with me. Then again, she’d try and kill me if I did that.

“Which one are you going to watch?” I find myself asking without thinking.

“I don’t know yet. I wanted to watch the one about the Long Island murders. But I might watch the Fox Hollow one. Maybe even the one about . . .”

“Just watch whichever one you want. Long as it’s not gonna teach you how to murder me in my sleep.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” she says way too sweetly.

“Yeah, okay, we’ll see.”

I really wouldn’t do that to you.” Batting her lashes, she gives me a smile I hadn’t seen since right before she was shot.

My mind is immediately assaulted with the memory of her standing there smiling at me, and the next second, she was shot, bleeding in my arms. Mentally, I try to shake it off, but after being in the hospital nonstop and not having any way of taking off the edge, I’m ready to crawl out of my skin with the need to hurt someone.

I knew my brothers had gotten Jon Coleman to the cabin without any problems. The cops had also come by and left. They came to the hospital for mine and Ember’s statements. It was time to get my answers now, though, and I need to leave her to watch how to fucking kill me with serial killer documentaries.

Couldn’t she just watchGodzillaor something like that?

Stepping toward her, I lean down, spear my fingers in her hair, and claim her mouth. It’s not like the little kisses I gave her while in the hospital, but it wasn’t as deep and long as I wanted it to be, either. She’s still healing, and I won’t be taking any chances with her until I get the green light from her doctor. He said she needed a few more weeks of taking it easy and not doing anything overexerting herself, which means no sex for the time being.

However, I might have to think of something creative in order to keep her from trying to get what she wants when she wants it. The woman isknown for going against orders when they don’t suit her.

“I’ll be back to check on you in just a bit,” I tell her, my lips brushing hers.

“Okay,” she murmurs softly.

“If you are good, I’ll bring you back something to eat.” I figured she wouldn’t mind having something to eat by then. Something that wasn’t hospital food or takeout. Hell, I’d like to go a while without takeout food. I figured I could cook her up some spaghetti or something before bringing it back in here.

“I’m always good,” Ember remarks, leans deeper into the pillows, and settles in. “I’m not going to go anywhere. I promise. If I need anything, I’ll call one of the ol’ ladies and ask them.”

Those women they’d be jumping to it to help. They wanted to be able to help her while she was in the hospital, and they did, but not as much as they’d have liked. I’m willing to bet they’re in the kitchen now preparing stuff for Ember to have when she wants something.

Leaving Ember to her binge watching, I leave the room and go in search of my brothers. I knew everyone was here. Reaper had already demanded everyone be at the clubhouse when Ember got back. He wasn’t taking any chances with her life, and we’dkept her shielded while I carried her through the front doors.

The entire club was still on lockdown, and no one was waiting around for shits and giggles. We were going to meet and figure out what the next step in dealing with this situation would be. I want to take out those responsible for my woman having been shot.

After sitting in the hospital with her for over a week, not leaving her side even for a second, I need to be able to take the assholes out. They’re gonna bleed just as she did. I’ll start with Jon Coleman.

“She settled?” Reaper asks.

“Yeah.” I nod and look around the room. “What are we doing?”

I knew what I wanted to do.

“Azrael, Ghost, Harvester, and Thanatos are sticking to the clubhouse, the rest of us are heading to the cabin. We’re gonna go speak with Jonny boy. See what he’s got to share with us,” Reaper announces as he looks at the four men. “I want y’all to make sure none of the women step outside this building. I don’t give a shit if they want to simply step out for a breath of fresh air. They don’t leave.”

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