“I’m thinking how motherfucking lucky I am to have you,” I tell her and it’s the truth.
“Yeah, I’m a real catch,” she sighs holding her hand up, the one with the missing finger, to look at it.
“You are, Hellcat. You’re everything and more than I could have imagined.”
She shakes her head no, but squeezes my hand.
“Have you talked with Dragon? Is Nicole okay?”
Nicole went into early labor the day of the funeral. She was too early in the pregnancy and the baby had some major problems, but the little guy is a fighter and gets to come home soon. Nicole has led my brother on a major fucking twisted trip. It’s been so bad between her and Dragon that even my woman took Dragon aside and gave him advice. I never thought, I’d see that. Still after a couple of weeks it looks like they’ve found their way back together.
“Yeah baby, the doctors even think Dom can come home soon,” I tell her.
She smiles, “That’s good.”
“What do you think about going on a trip with me when you’re able?” I ask her because before I make a final decision I need to know. I’m doing nothing without my woman from here on out.
“A trip?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m thinking a change of scenery would do you good. Diesel asked me to come help him out at his club and I’m thinking about it. I think Tennessee would be good for the both of us.”
“Tennessee?”
“Yeah baby, we could rent a house on the water, I think you’d like it.” I watch her face closely. I don’t want to do anything she’s not a hundred percent on board with.
“Zander, I’m pretty messed up. I don’t think…I’m not sure I’m ready for…I mean, I love you, I do. But, there’s just…”
I put my fingers on her lips. I know where she’s going, and I just can’t let her go there. She will heal. I will get her there. It’s just going to take time.
“Do you want me?”
“Well, of course, but…”
“Then we take each day together. No promises, no pressure,” it kills me, but I understand. She looks sad, but doesn’t argue. I start to say more when there’s a knock on the door, I let it go and get up to answer the door.
When Bull, Dragon and Dancer are all at the door, I know the time has come.
“We need to talk,” Drag says, looking around me at Dani lying in the bed.
“Yeah, okay. Can I say goodbye to my woman first?” I ask quietly, because I don’t want Dani to know what’s going on exactly.
Dragon nods and I close the door, and walk back to the bed.
“Hellcat, I got some club business going on. I’ll try and hurry back. You can text me though, okay?”
“Is everything okay?”
“It’s perfect and when I get back we’re Tennessee bound… sound good?”
“If you’re sure…” she says hesitantly, and I think she sees that I’m holding stuff back but she nods. I give her a kiss. It’s not as passionate as I want, but still sliding my tongue inside to taste her, soothes me. I’ll handle this and get back to my woman soon.
I close the door behind me and look at my brothers.
“You called me out,” Dragon says and his face is remote, but I think I see a flicker of something there that lets me know my brother hates this fucking shit as much as I do.
“I did,” I can’t deny it and I wouldn’t.
“It can’t go unanswered. Out back in the yard, meet me in ten. I win, you get the cooler for a couple days while I arrange the vote. You win, you get the President patch.”
Fuck, and I say fuck for two reasons. I told Dani to text me and if I get the cooler, I’m not going to have a cell phone and even if I do, there’s no signal. Secondly, I may strike at Dragon because I’m pissed at the way he did stuff, but I’m the one who fucked up here, so I’m not gonna even try to win. Dragon is President of this club and even if I don’t like how he did things with Michael, it was brilliant, proving he is a leader. I’m not. I don’t even want to be.
“See you in ten,” I say resignedly, because fuck, this is going to hurt.
Chapter 45
Dani
“How are you feeling?” I look up to see Nicole standing at the door.
I was hoping it was Zander. I haven’t heard from him in two days. I wanted to ask the others, but they don’t really talk to me and I don’t want to make myself look stupid by asking for a man who might not want me anymore. He’s not even answered my texts.
“Bored,” I answer, turning my attention back to Nicole as she comes in and closes the door. “How’s Dom?”
“He’s good, really good. I was hoping we could talk for a little bit, if you’re not too tired.”
Things are stilted between me and Nicole now. She held me responsible for Dragon’s death and I understand. I hold myself responsible too. I want to fix it, but I don’t really know how. I’m hoping time manages to do it.
“Nah, I’m bored out of my mind. I’m thinking about going outside and walking a little bit. I need to feel the sunshine on my face.”