Page 6 of Torching Vixen
It takes a split second to register that I’m not in Fire’s bed, and getting away wasn’t just a dream, then the need to throw up hits. I start trying to get free again.
“If you don’t want to be covered in vomit in the next sixty seconds, you might wanna let me go,” I say through gritted teeth.
The vise across my back drops, and I bolt to the bathroom, with no time to close the door. Hitting my knees, I start praising the porcelain gods. Something cool lands on the back of my neck, and I jump slightly. When I finally finish, I lay my head on my forearm to catch my breath. Strong arms pick me up off the floor, startling me out of my relaxation.
“Don’t carry me. You’ll hurt yourself,” I mumble halfheartedly because I don’t have the energy to fight him.
“First, say some shit like that again, and I will spank that fine ass. Secondly—” he sets me on the counter by the sink, “—rinse your mouth out. Vomit tastes like ass. Third, care to explain what the fuck just happened?” I take the mouthwash from him, swish, then spit.
Looking up at him for the first time, I get lost in the steel gray of his eyes. So hard and cold at first glance, but I can see the fire and concern burning behind the mask. I know I need to tell him, but the thought of him leaving Lo and me only a few hours away from Fire makes nausea come back tenfold. Dropping my eyes, I shake my head, hoping not to start another vomiting episode.
Torch takes a step closer, standing between my knees, and lifts my chin. “You will tell me.” His voice is soft yet commanding.
I want to tell him to go to hell, that it’s none of his fucking business, but I won't be able to hide this pregnancy for long. I know that, right at this moment, I am too raw and emotional to tell this man how much of a fuck up I truly am.
“It’s nerves. I tend to get a little nervous and anxious when in situations like this. Weak stomach and all!” I realize that I’m being a complete bitch and my mouth is liable to get me in trouble. He just can’t know yet what’s going on because the war this’ll bring if anyone finds out before I can get away the from Fire… But I’ve promised myself for years that if the opportunity to get us away from that club presented itself, I’d take it. I know that he won’t willingly raise another man’s baby. I just need to be a little further away from Fire before I drop my bombshell.
We hold eye contact for what seems like forever when a knock on the door makes me jump. “Torch, get your fucking ass out here! We have problems.”
“Fucking hell!” Torch says under his breath. “What?” he shouts as he heads for the door.
I rinse my mouth out again, then follow him out but come to a halt. Standing with what looks like the whole club is Fire and Ice, and to say they look pissed is an understatement. A hand on my back makes me jump. Looking over my shoulder, Lo is shaking like a leaf. Grabbing her hand, I squeeze, trying to reassure her, but if I’m honest, I’m completely and utterly petrified.
“You fuckers care to tell me why in the hell you’re here right now?” Torch asks as if it’s any other day, and he’s not staring down an entire MC.
“I came for what is mine. You’ve made your point. Now give her the fuck back.” The malice in his voice, as well as the glare he keeps shooting toward me, makes me shiver. If looks were anything to go by, I’d be a pile of ash at his feet right now. If Torch gives us back, Lo and I are both going to pay, probably with our lives.
“And what point was it you think I was making?” Torch asks, sliding his hands into the pocket of his jeans.
“We won't be running through your territory. We’ll keep our shit to ourselves. Now give them back, and we’ll go our fucking way.” Fire stands to his full height, trying to intimidate the hulking men around him. I can’t stop the giggle that escapes. Fire has nothing on Torch and his men.
“You find this funny, Vixen?” The intention in his eyes confirms that if I ever end up back in his reach, I won’t walk away this time.
“Did I say you could fucking talk to my girl? Fucker, you are here to deal with me, not her,” Torch states, stepping between us.
“Torch, my man. You…” Fire starts.
“I am not your man, and there is nothing that could make what you were about to say okay,” Torch hisses out, cutting him off. Somehow, the lowered tone is far scarier than if he had yelled it from the rooftop. Yet instinctively, I know he would never hurt me.
“You will fucking regret this, you and all you fucking pussies. Vixen, don’t get too comfortable because you better believe I will get my hands on you—” The venom in his voice has me wanting to piss myself when Fire cries out..”—fuck me! What the fuck?” I look around Torch’s hulking body and see Fire pull a throwing knife out of his shoulder.
“I don’t know who in the actual fuck you think you are, but I am not your man, your brother, or anything else. What you just got is only a small piece of what’ll happen when you threaten what is mine. Now take your crew and go back to your clubhouse, and I’ll keep this incident between us,” Torch advises before tucking me into his side, walking us back to our room.
We make it through the door, and like every other time before, the need to vomit hits at the most inopportune time. I sprint to the bathroom and dry heave. I’m done and feel so weak that I think I might pass out when I feel myself being lifted off the floor. I nestle into the warmth and security and take a deep breath for the first time in what seems like years. It’s been less than twenty-four hours, and I know I can’t get attached to this man, yet I can feel myself falling hard.
“Get some rest. I’ll have a couple of brothers grab us some breakfast, and then we have to hit the road if you are up for it,” Torch says, and I swear, just before I give into the darkness, I feel a kiss on my forehead. With that small gesture, another brick falls from the walls around my heart.
6
Torch
The sun coming through the window, along with my need for food, brings me out of sleep. I roll over and reach for my phone, messaging Razor to grab breakfast for Vixen and myself. Also, so I can question her cousin on what is really going on with Vixen. With everything this woman has gone through, there is no way that a little anxiety and nervousness would make her that sick.
The quiet knock on the door surprises me a little, no one I know knocks like that. I pull the door open to find food has arrived. Stepping back, I let Razor and Logan in. Logan starts getting everything out of the bags and setting it up on the small table beside the bed. I watch Vixen for any sign she might be awake. Thankfully she hasn’t moved an inch.
“What’s going on with Vixen? Is she sick or have an issue that I need to know about?” I ask Logan quietly, making sure not to wake sleeping beauty.
“There isn’t anything wrong with her. I mean nothing physically. Why did she say something?” she asks worriedly.
