Page 50 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door
“Come on. We should go and see what she wants. She saved your life. I think she’s at least earned the right to explain herself to you,” Bear reasons. So the big softie is still in there.
Mira looks surprised at his diplomatic response. “I agree with Ezra,” she says.
Yet another thing I know my best friend and men will clash over is her refusal to use nicknames. She believes they’re stupid. She also keeps calling the Shadow Pack a gang, something that I’ll need to stop her from doing in the future if I want them all ever to stand a chance of getting along. I know she just has my best interests at heart, that she’s worried the men and the club are bad news, that they’ll bring trouble into my life, but I’m confident that with time, she’ll come around, especially once she gets to know them and sees what I see.
“Fine,” I agree with a sigh, getting up from my seat and allowing the nurse to lead Bear and me to Susan’s room.
“Just shout if you need me,” Mira calls after us, already pulling out her phone.
She’s going to have a shit ton of paperwork and explaining to do as my WITSEC officer. I feel bad. I should have realized that this mess would land her in trouble.
***
Susan is propped up in bed, looking emaciated and pale without her makeup. She looks so pitiful, it’s hard to be mad at her. Her eyes light up as we enter the room.
“You came.”
“I did,” I reply curtly.
“How is Wolf doing?” she asks desperately. I no longer feel jealous, only pity for this woman who loves Wolf so obsessively that she would stoop to such lows to try to win his heart.
“He came out of surgery a little while ago. He’s going to be fine.”
“Oh, thank god,” she says, breathing a sigh of relief and slumping back into her pillows.
“Is that it? Can I go now?” I say, feeling annoyed at myself for thinking she’d want to see us for anything other than Wolf.
“No. No. Please, stay. I wanted to talk to you. To apologize. I didn’t know what Viktor was going to do. I met him in a bar after I overheard you and Pam talking, and I found your pregnancy test in the trash at the clubhouse. I was so angry, so hurt that he chose you, that he didn’t want me. I was at a vulnerable time. I’d been doing drugs again, and Viktor gave me some, got me hooked on his shit, and told me there was plenty more where it came from if I helped him. I’m so sorry.”
“You told him how to get to my daughter. She’s five years old,” I say icily. Unwilling to forgive.
“I know, I’m sorry. I never thought he’d hurt her. I didn’t… I wasn’t thinking.”
“You need help, Susan. Rehab. And your obsession with Wolf has to stop.”
“I know,” she says, tears falling down her cheeks. I hope that she’s finally reached rock bottom.
“You need to stay away from the Shadow Pack. Do you understand me? We can’t forgive a betrayal like this,” Bear says.As VP, Bear will be the one to make these kinds of decisions while Wolf’s out of action.
She nods, sniffling. “Yes, I promise. I’ve already booked into a rehab facility. I’m going to do it this time, really. I’m going to get clean.”
“I hope you do, Susan. You saved Harper’s life tonight. We won’t forget that, but we also can’t forget that you helped our enemy and betrayed the Pack.”
“I know.” She hangs her head, looking forlorn and so miserable it’s hard not to pity her.
“I hope you’re able to straighten your life out, Susan. Thank you for saving my life,” I add, knowing that despite what she did, I wouldn’t be here now without her.
Leaving a crying Susan, we head to visit Paul and Katie. Katie is lying in a hospital bed, her head bandaged, with Paul sitting by her side holding her hand. One of the Shadow Pack members, Tiny—who’s anything but—is also there, standing guard over Katie. From the way he keeps glancing over at her, it seems he’s quite taken by her. She’s a beautiful woman, even with the bruises.
Paul immediately springs out of his chair when he sees us. “Harper, Bear, how are you? How is Wolf?”
We briefly explain Wolf’s condition, assuring him that he will be fine. We intend to visit him next. So far, the doctors have refused to let us see him. I won’t take no for an answer next time.
“I don’t know how I can ever repay you and thank you enough for what you did for me, for Katie,” Paul says, his voice thick with emotion.
Katie smiles at me shyly. I can tell that there are scars she needs to heal from that will take far longer than her physical injuries. I feel connected to her instantly. Bonded through the shared trauma of Viktor Volkov.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” I say to her.
