Page 54 of Trick's Elite

The nurse, who had been checking machines and vitals, cleared her throat. “Don’t want to interrupt this moment, but the doctor needs to check you over. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”

Stiletto answered the nurse’s questions, never looking away from Trick, soaking in the love shining from him and warming her soul.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Trick

AftertalkingtoMamaHen at the front desk and thanking her for allowing him to turn one of the rooms of her hotel, The Hen House, into a recovery room for Stiletto, Trick helped his mate from the car into the wheelchair and brought her to her room.

Instead of the standard queen bed that all hotel rooms had, the space was outfitted with a hospital bed, a cot, a recliner, an armchair, and a table. When he had called to make the request of Mama Hen two days before, she did what she always did for the Howlers and the Claws — got shit done. It was one of the many reasons they loved her.

Long before they learned she was Kisy’s aunt, and long before Kisy mated Dragon and became a member of the Tiger’s Claw MC, Mama Hen was a friend of the clubs. She looked out for them, and they returned the favor. She was also one of the few people on Earth that the Howlers were slightly afraid of. The hotel owner hadn’t always been in that profession, but she had never been willing to fill in the holes of her past. From what Ranger had shared, which wasn’t much, there was a ton more to the older woman than any of them knew.

Trick didn’t know if it was due to her past, or just because of the type of person she was, but Mama Hen had connections, and she wasn’t above using them to help the people she cared about. Luckily, Trick was one of those people, and he had never been more grateful to know the woman.

“When in the hell did you do this?” Stiletto asked as he pushed her wheelchair up next to the hospital bed. “And I’m pretty sure I could sleep in a regular bed.”

“I want you to be comfortable, and I was worried I’d roll into you in the night and bump your injuries.” He set the locks on the wheels and walked around to face her. “I called in a favor with the hotel owner.”

“I’m surprised she let me stay here again.”

Trick shrugged. “I told her that we mated, and you jumped in front of a bullet for me. That was enough for Mama Hen to forgive you.” He hiked a brow. “Doesn’t mean she won’t be watching you like a hawk, though.”

Stiletto tried to laugh, but winced, making Trick feel like a prick for cracking jokes.

“Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing for lightening the mood. Things are heavy enough.”

Trick didn’t say anything else about it as he helped her from the wheelchair onto the bed and into a comfortable position. His bear was quiet, but the animal was monitoring the situation closely, just like it had been for two weeks, ever since the moment she was shot. He’d barely finished covering her to her waist before she fell asleep.

He made sure that her phone was charged and sitting next to her on the bed before he left the room to arrange for dinner and clothes.

Waiting for him in the lobby was Axle, Rock, Ranger, and Skull. His bear went on alert, and he shook his head as he stopped just past the end of the hallway. “I don’t have time for this. I have to get food and clothes for both of us. This shit has to wait.”

Ranger sighed. “I’ll get anything you need for either of you, and I’m here to help in any way you need.”

“Same,” Rock said as he leaned against the front desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t give a fuck what happened in the past. I’m here for my brother…” His gaze shifted to meet Trick’s. “Andmy sister. Diamond said she’s on call if you need her, too.”

“Gorgeous said the same,” Axle uttered and stepped forward. The expression on his face was full of concern. “We just want to help. I wish you would have brought her back to the compound where you have an entire family to help you.”

Trick let out a bark of laughter, but there was no humor to the sound. His bear huffed inside of him at the thought of Stiletto being anywhere near people who hadn’t proven they could be trusted with her welfare. “An entire family tohelp? Half of them would have for sure been happy if she hadn’t made it out of that hospital. The other half are questionable. The only one who has proven I can trust them with her is Ranger.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Like I told him… I trust you all with my life, always. With hers? Not so much.”

“We get it,” Skull said with a nod. “Hell, I’d feel the same. For us, though, everything changed when she jumped in front of that bullet. The Ol’ Ladies are itching to come help. The brothers are ready to do anything you need. And we get that it will take time for you to understand that. All Axle’s saying is that when you feel ready to give us a chance to prove it, please bring her home. Your family wants to help.”

“And what about the Claws? I can’t imagine Crush is feeling welcoming.”

Axle sighed, and Trick took that as confirmation that he was correct. “I’ll work on Crush.”

“Yeah, well, until you do, Stiletto’s not going to the compound. End of discussion.”

Axle and Skull said their goodbyes, but Ranger and Rock hung around. Trick pulled his phone from his pocket and started typing out a message. “I’m sending you the sizes, Rock. Please ask Diamond to get her some comfortable clothes that won’t be too much pressure on her wound. Tell her I appreciate it.”

Rock nodded. “And I’ll stop by the compound and grab clothes for you, too.”

“Thank you.” Once Rock left the hotel, Trick addressed Ranger. “I know I already told you, but th—”

“If you thank me one more damn time for saving my sister, I’m going to punch you in the fucking throat,” Ranger said with a roll of his eyes.