Page 18 of Flame's Fight

CHAPTER ELEVEN: FLAME

I must have dozed off, but the sound of Brooke and Ghost talking outside my door wakes me. Actually, it’s the sound of her laugh. God, I love her laugh. I miss it. I miss her. Waiting until I hear silence, I call out to Ghost.

“Yeah, man?” Ghost asks as he enters the room. He props the door open, which I find odd, but don’t comment.

“Was that Brooke?” I ask him.

“Yeah.” He frowns. “She’s getting me a cup of coffee. Said she was tired, but I think something’s wrong.”

I use my arms to scoot up and angle my body so I’m not pressing hard on my wound. It’s still tender, but I’m tired of laying on my side. “What do you mean?” I ask. “She seemed fine earlier.”

“Yeah. I thought so too, but she was upset after coming out of Deion’s room. Something happened in there. I’m certain of it.”

“You think they hurt her?” I ask, anger flowing through me along with frustration that I can’t go into Deion’s room and demand answers. Maybe I should see about getting access to a wheelchair.

Ghost shakes his head. “No, but she had red marks on her arm. I think one of them grabbed her. All I know is someone upset her. I was going to go in and talk to Deion about it, but his girlfriend just showed up, and I didn’t want to confront him in front of her. She just got off work and looked tired.”

I study Ghost and shake my head.

Ghost grins. “She’s hot. What can I say?”

“Say that you will not hit on the girlfriend of a gang leader. Dante would kick your ass if you brought war on us.” I tell him.

He shrugs. “I know. I won’t do anything to hurt the club. I’ve just never met anyone as gorgeous as she is. But you’ll find out soon enough. She’s a physical therapist, and Brooke asked her to handle your case.” He tells me with a grin.

I look down at my legs. “I hope it helps. If I can’t ride…” I start, admitting something that I’ve been avoiding to consider after waking up.

“Knock that off.” Ghost chides me. “You’ll walk and you’ll ride again. You think Tally would give you false hope? Let your body heal.”

I nod as Brooke comes back into the room carrying a tray. She hands Ghost his cup of coffee before unloading two containers. She hands one to Ghost and the other to me. “I thought you two might be hungry. They hadn’t shut the grill down yet.”

I open the container to find a cheeseburger with fries. “You’re an angel.” I tell Brooke as Ghost whoops in happiness. She and I lock eyes. The electricity between us sparks, even though I see sadness and regret in her eyes. That look gives me something I haven’t had since I woke up. Hope. Hope that I’ll walk again, hope that I’ll ride again, hope that I can win this woman back. I know that having Brooke in my corner is key to my happiness.

“Thanks for this, Brooke. I appreciate it.” Ghost says, finishing his burger. “Do I owe you anything?”

She waves him off. “No. I wanted to do it. Just wanted to show you my appreciation for how well you’re protecting Flame. I found Deion’s guard playing on his cell phone. Anyone could have gotten past him. You would never let that happen.”

“Speaking of guard duty. I guess I better get back to it. Can’t have you complaining to Dante about me shirking my responsibilities.” Ghost says, giving a hug to Brooke before stepping outside, closing the door behind him.

“Deion is one of your patients?” I ask her, and she nods as she sits and sips her coffee. “How is he doing?”

“Pretty good. He should be out of here soon.” Brooke says. The relief and hope in her voice has me studying her. She’s avoiding eye contact, and she’s gone pale. What the hell is that all about?

“Is he giving you problems?” I ask her. “I can go talk to him.”

“No.” she says quickly. “He isn’t. The guy who is guarding him creeps me out a little.” She admits. “He’s rather scary.” She chuckles. “But I guess I’d feel the same way about anyone from your club if I didn’t know them.”

“You’d tell me if he was bothering you, right?” I push.

She shrugs but doesn’t answer.

“Brooke…” I start, but she stands and waves me off.

“I have to get back to work.” She tells me, ending our conversation.

“Before you go, do you think you could get me a wheelchair?” I ask her.

She frowns at me. “Why?”

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