Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Morgue?” Stitches asked. “Say something.”
“No,” was all that came out. “No.”
“‘No’ you’re not saying anything, or ‘no’ the women aren’t coming here to make Dorothy do something she doesn’t want to do?” Stitches sounded like he was about ready to throttle me.
“Yes.” Christ. I sucked.
Finally, Stitches took over. “What he means is, the old ladies of our club want to make sure you’re OK. That’s all. They’ll get you anything you need and welcome you into our circle. You do not have to stay if you don’t want to, and no one is going to force you to do anything.” He paused and Dorothy’s gaze shifted to him. Which wouldn’t do. So I moved between Stitches and her. “Jesus, Morgue, you’re makin’ us all look bad. Pull yourself together.”
Then I said the strangest thing. “Mine.”
“All right, Morgue. That’s it.” Stitches clasped my arm and tugged me away. “You’re coming with me, and the women will take care of her.”
“No.” I tried to shrug him off, but Stitches had a good hold on my arm.
“Yes,” he countered. Only the frightened look on Dorothy’s face gave me the strength I needed to allow Stitches to pull me toward the door. “You know she’ll love Iris. The women will explain everything to her and help her feel more like herself.”
“Not leavin’.”
“You want her comfortable. Right?”
I gave Stitches a wary look. I knew he was leading me into a trap. Could even see where he was leading. Still couldn’t help myself from answering. “Yes.”
“Good. Then we’ll leave her to take care of business. The women will bring in some more clothes for her and some electrolyte drink so she’s not so parched. She’ll take a shower and wash her hair and brush her teeth and all the other shit women do in the bathroom, then they will bring her to the common room for some food. You can meet her there.”
I wanted to protest, but knew Stitches was right. The woman had been through hell. The last thing she needed was a damaged, killer biker crowding her space. With a defeated sigh, I nodded and let Stitches lead me to the door. It was no surprise that Iris was already headed our way with an armload of necessities.
“Nyla and Pepper are with the other women. Winter and Serelda had Brick take them to get some more things for everyone. I thought Dorothy might want a few necessities.”
“Good,” Stitches said, still taking over because, apparently, I’d been reduced to caveman speak. “She’s awake and a little jumpy. Could use your delicate touch.” He smiled at the other woman.
“Yes,” I said, wanting to take an active role in Dorothy’s care. I needed everyone to know she was mine and that I could take care of her like she needed, but the truth was, I wasn’t sure I could. Oh, I could take care of her. I’d lock her up and never let anyone or anything touch her. But if there was one thing I’d learned from watching the other men find their old ladies, it was that women needed their freedom. I wasn’t altogether certain I was capable of giving Dorothy the kind of freedom the other women had.
Iris gave me a quizzical look. “Um, OK. She nervous about where she is?”
“You could say that,” Stitches continued, giving me a side-eye.
“Understandable, given where you guys found her. I’ll be careful with her.” She gave us a gentle smile before knocking on the door and waiting for Dorothy to answer. Stitches tried to tug me after him, but I wanted to wait. I wanted to hear her voice one more time before I left. “Dorothy? My name’s Iris. I’ve got some stuff for you. Clothes. Toiletries. Can I come in to give them to you? I’ve got some Gatorade and water. You can have either one you want.”
After a lengthy pause where I was sure Dorothy would refuse to answer, she finally spoke. “Come in.”
Those two little words nearly made me melt. And they weren’t even for me. They were for Iris. I wanted to sag in relief.
“Come on, Romeo,” Stitches said with a chuckle. “Common room. I’m gettin’ you a shot of Jack. Never seen a man who needed it more.”
Chapter Five
Dorothy
I’d never been so glad to be alone in my life. Not because I was scared or upset, though I admitted I wasn’t as comfortable being here now as I was minutes before, but I could feel the stupid catheter slipping out of me. Fuck my life, anyway.
No. Scratch that. I’d live through a little embarrassment now to be out of the nightmare I’d been in before I woke up in this place.
The second the door shut on Stitches and Morgue, the catheter slipped completely out and plopped to the floor. I nearly groaned in embarrassment as I felt a small trickle of urine running down my leg. Thank God it wasn’t much.