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“He had a concussion and cut on the side of his head, but he’s back at the clubhouse. He’s fine. He’s already asking for the women to play nurse for him.”

My lip twitches. “How long have I been here?”

“A few hours. Bones and Skull brought you here. The doctor had to pull out all the glass in your arm. They said you likely have a concussion too.”

Lying in bed, I twist my neck to face him. I’m feeling a whole burst of emotions right now, and although Haze is here, he wasn’t here when I needed him. Will I ever come first to him?

I think I need some space to clear my head and some rest.

Because I’m so exhausted and overwhelmed right now, I could cry. “You weren’t there.” It comes out as a broken whisper. “I needed you, and you were off saving someone else.”

It might make me sound selfish, but he’s my man. If I can’t rely on him to be there for me, who can I rely on?

I’m hurt.

And I’m angry.

The latter presents itself a lot easier than the former.

“I know. I’m so fucking sorry, Luella. I wasn’t there when you needed me. I fucked up.” He reaches for my face, then suddenly drops his hands in defeat when I turn my head, letting them hang at his sides.

“I just need to be alone right now,” I reply softly, staring in front of me at my hands.

“Luella, don’t do this, please. You know I’d do anything to protect you. Anything?—”

“Anything except put me first. I know you have responsibilities with Aspen, and I never want you to not help your sister. I just need time adjusting to the reality that if you are going to run off without warning every time she calls, I’ll be alone…” I trail off, swallowing hard. “I’ll always come second. I just need some space until I heal to be okay with that.”

“You shouldn’t have to be okay with that. I’m so sorry, baby. I fucked up badly. You don’t come second to me, and I never should have made you feel that way. It won’t happen again, that I can promise you.” He stands, leaning over me and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll give you some alone time, but I’m not fucking going anywhere. I’ll be out in the waiting room. I’ll come and check on you in a bit. I’m not leaving you, Luella. I’m never leaving you.”

When I’m left alone, only then do the tears fall.

The next time the door opens, it’s Ora. Her face drops as she takes me in, her arms coming around me. “I was so fucking scared.”

“You and me both,” I reply, forcing a smile. “But I’m okay.”

She sits on the edge of my bed. “Only you would still look beautiful after a kidnapping.”

My lip twitches. “Now I know you’re lying.”

Her blue eyes twinkle before she dips her head toward the door. “Haze is out there, looking like he was the one in a car accident. He refused to leave your side from the moment he got here.”

“He wasn’t here.”

“I know,” she replies, gently cradling my face. “But he couldn’t have known this would happen, Lu.”

“I know that, but it still happened,” I blurt out, my lower lip trembling.

“Lu, he loves you. He knows that?—”

“Haze didn’t save me,” I whisper, swallowing hard. “The club did. If I waited for him, I’d probably be dead right now.”

“It should have been me saving you.” My head snaps to the door, where he’s leaning against it, watching me. His hazel eyes are filled with pain, and tension rolls off him in waves. “If anything had happened to you…”

Ora kisses my cheek and quietly leaves while Haze sits and takes my hand back into his. “I’m tired of having to save everyone, and while doing so, it almost meant losing the only person who makes me truly happy. From now on, I will put you first, Luella. Aspen is an adult, and I won’t be running to her every time she calls from now on.”

“I’m not giving you an ultimatum, Haze. I know you care about your sister.”

“I know you’re not, but I need to be the man you deserve. I will be the man you deserve. I should have been here, and from now on, I will. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”