Page 25 of Blood & Honey
“Which is why you got those texts last night,” Blood says, entering the small room behind me.“How you doing, man?”he drops into the seat next to the gurney.He grabs my hand and tugs me over to him, keeping a possessive grip on my wrist that doesn’t go unnoticed by Slasher.
I can feel his gaze burning a hole through me as Blood traces lazy circles on my inner wrist.
“Be a helluva lot better when they release me from this shithole.Didn’t even assign me a hot nurse.Gave me some dumpy old bitch.Hateful as fuck.”
“Buford said he thinks it was a failed robbery, but his theory doesn’t make sense.No one is dumb enough to fuck with you except maybe someone who doesn’t want anyone to know they are in town.”
“You think it was Shelby?”I state the obvious.
“Her or someone working with her.Would make sense why you’ve not had any more texts.Slasher saw her, and she got spooked and thought she’d silence him.”
“Whoever it was better try harder next time they come at me.Coward hit me from behind.Hit me with something hard and tased my ass.”
“You didn’t get a look at them?”
“Nope.I was out cold.If they had wanted to rob me, they could have.I had three k in my pocket.Was headed to a poker game at Poor Boy’s.”
“If she’s around, we’ll flush her out.”
“No doubt.”
“Whatever you need, I’ve got you.Guts will be around to give you a ride home or to the clubhouse.Goose has Silk picking your bike up.It’ll be parked at your place.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.”They do one of those bro code handshakes.“I’ll send Guts back.”
“Or you can leave Ashley here to take care of me.”He winks at me, and I know he’s only teasing.
“Don’t push your luck,” Blood grumbles, steering me into the hall and toward the lobby.“You hungry?”he asks as we get back to the waiting room where the rest of his men are.
“Starving.”I didn’t get to eat my breakfast and haven’t had a chance to grab anything else.
“Good, let’s grab a quick bite then.We could all use some food,” he says, glancing over at his men, who look ready to dole out some retribution for the attack on Slasher.
I admire their ride or die attitude.They share a loyalty that’s rare.No matter what life throws at them, they have each other’s backs, and they never back down from a fight.
Some of the club brothers go their own way, while some stay behind, and the rest follow us to the food truck park that isn’t too far from the clubhouse.It’s basically a parking lot with beach access that all the food truck vendors park in order to maximize business.Plus, there are a bunch of picnic tables to sit at, making it easy for everyone to meet up here for a quick meal or treat.
I love coming here, but I’ve never been here with Blood.Not like this.
He opens the passenger side of his truck, extending his hand to mine.
I fight the urge to smile like an idiot at the public display.
Earlier he was so dead set against anyone knowing about us, and now it’s like he wants to show me off.
There’s a small voice niggling in the back of my mind wondering why he’s had a change of heart.
Blood’s grip on my hand tightens, firm and reassuring while signaling to anyone staring that I’m his property.
I know people are going to stare at us and make their own judgments.It doesn’t matter that they’ve watched me grow up around the club.To them, I’m Shelby’s annoying little sister and not Blood’s Ol’ Lady.
But in time they’ll see.I’m right where I’m meant to be, and I’m not going anywhere.
Chapter Eight
“Whatareyougetting?”Ashley questions as her gaze moves along the variety of food trucks parked in a crescent shape around the seating area.Indecision is evident on her face as her gaze darts between street tacos and nachos or Spuds with the dancing potatoes on the side of the truck.
