Page 15 of Flame's Fight

“I haven’t really thought about. Why?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. It seems like you’d get bored. You used to love learning new things. You were always on YouTube learning how to fix something or learning how to build or create items. It seems like once you patched in, you stopped.”

I frown as I consider her observation. Working at Styx is a job, maybe not a demanding job, but it isn’t an awful job. Plus, I get to work with my best friends. “Living at the apartment complex with mom, I had to learn how to fix things so I could help her.” I explain. “I guess I enjoyed learning, but I did it more to help mom out.”

“So, you’re satisfied working at Styx?” she presses.

“Why are you asking?”

“Reaper and I were talking. He told me he was thinking of creating a new business for the club. He has several ideas, and he’s excited about the opportunity to create something new. It just got me thinking about you. Why aren’t you doing something similar? It seemed when you were prospecting, you had several ideas for what you could do once you patched in.” Ashlyn reminds me. “I was wondering why you didn’t follow through with any of them?”

Axel, who has been mostly quiet as he stands near the door, chimes in. “She’s right. I remember when you were a prospect, what excited you the most was all the opportunities. They own several businesses, and Dante is always interested in adding new ones. You had a list of new businesses that you could start with Reaper and Ghost, or just on your own. But then you stopped talking about it after you patched in.”

I feel a twinge in the brand on my chest. Dante gave me the brand when I patched in. It was my punishment for letting a killer capture Tally. He had given me the choice of staying a prospect for another year or accepting the brand after patching in. I’d chosen the brand. I knew I’d see that brand every day and strive to do better. But if I’m honest with myself, the brand is also a stark reminder of what happens if I screw up again. I absently rub the brand and consider the implications. Have I been a coward? Taking the easy way instead of pushing myself because of the mistake I made in the past? Even the pain of receiving the brand hadn’t squashed the thrill of getting my patch. When did I lose that excitement?

“How are you doing?” Brooke asks as she sails into the room. I lock eyes with her and see the concern. “Tally asked me to check in on you.” She explains before she focuses her attention on Ashlyn and Axel, who take turns giving her a hug.

“Did you talk to that HR guy?” Ashlyn asks. “Is he going to fire Tally?”

“I got him to cool down a little and to understand that it was her father’s fault for trying to talk to her at work, so I don’t think he’s looking to fire her. I also reminded him she’s pregnant. There isn’t a medical professional here who won’t back her reaction as resulting from pregnancy hormones.” Brooke explains with a grin.

While I’m grateful to Brooke for any help she can give Tally, I can’t get past the jealousy. What kind of relationship does she have with this guy? One where she can work her magic and get him to agree to back down? “What did you have to give him in return?” I ask her. I try to keep the bite out of my tone, but the twin looks of disgust on Axel and Ashlyn’s faces, combined with Brooke’s blush, tell me I didn’t succeed.

“We’re friends.” Brooks says. “That’s all. We hit it off when he took over after they fired the last HR manager over his inability to curtail Dr. Marshall’s harassment. He’s trying to do a better job than his predecessor.”

Hearing her defend him just spikes my anger and my jealousy. I open my mouth, but before I can say something to further piss her off, my sister interrupts.

“That’s good. I’m glad they did something. They should have fired that asshole the first time he used his position like that. Did he ever try anything with you?” Ashlyn asks. “Marshall, I mean.”

Brooke chuckles, and the sound hits me right in the chest. Fuck, I love the sound of her laugh.

“He did. Once. I told him to back off, and he threatened my job. Told me the board wouldn’t believe a nurse over a doctor.” She explains. I remember the story. Brooke's way of handling Marshall was satisfactory, even though I wanted to kill him. “I told him I wouldn’t bother going to the board. That I would go to my dad, who is a cop, and he would believe me over Marshall without a doubt.” She frowns. “I threatened to have dad check him out and see if he harassed other nurses. Damn, I wish I had. Maybe they would have arrested him before he attacked Tally.”

“Hey, don’t do that.” I tell her. “Tally is fine. She survived and Marshall is in jail. Besides, his attack on her facilitated her and Dante get back together.”

Brooke gives me a smile and nod. “You’re right. They’re together and they’re happy. While Marshall is rotting in jail and hating his life.”

We all chuckle as Reaper and Ghost stroll into the room.

“What are you laughing about?” Reaper asks as he pulls Ashlyn into his arms and kisses her.

“Guy in a hospital bed here.” I protest. “Don’t make me throw up or kill you.”

Reaper chuckles as he pulls Ashlyn onto his lap before giving me a smirk. “You can try, but you’ll have to get off your ass first. I think I’m safe.”

I flip him off and look at Ghost. “What’s going on? How’s Tally?”

“She’s fine. Waffles between chewing nails and sobbing with guilt.” He chuckles. “I’ve never seen Dante so off balance.”

“What about her father?” Brooke asks. “Is she going to talk to him?”

Reaper nods. “That was the plan when we left. Caitlin decided. She wants to talk to him. To hear his side and then tell him what he and her mother did to her. Tally agreed. She realized Caitlin was the one that had to make the call. Their parents did nothing to Tally, except cut off communication with her when she chose San Diego over Chicago. Caitlin was the one they traumatized.”

“So, when are they meeting?” I ask.

“They’re meeting tonight. At his hotel.” Reaper says as he rubs his hand on Ashlyn’s thigh. I’m trying to ignore it, but when she shifts, I want to puke.

“Stop that.” I tell them. They both roll their eyes at me, but at least Reaper stops petting her.

---