Page 68 of Unveiled Wounds

“It’s still early morning, but I can text Stella to drop off what you need…” I was thinking out loud.

“No,” Dead interrupted me. I hadn’t seen him standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the main room.

“Stella’s parents live in the same subdivision as my aunt. She knows how to sneak in, and I can ask her to drop it on the back porch.”

“You don’t know if someone’s watching the place and that will put her right in the middle of your drama.” Dead was seriouslyangry that I would even suggest something like that. I didn’t want Stella on the cartel’s radar, but she was the only one I could think of who could help Grizz without making a big deal about it. If he went to the store on his own, the salespeople would ask too many questions.

“Hey, Dead,” Sabre said, “I’ll send a brother over there to make sure the place isn’t being sat on. She’ll be alright.”

“First my sister, then babies, and now one of my best friends. Is there anything you people don’t claim?”

There was a chorus of nos.

Chapter 26

Nothing But Love

Meredith

The stress of the night evaporated as soon as I hung up the video call. They were safe, and if anything happened overnight, they would have each other. There was nothing I could do from here, and the fight drained from my body. Saying goodnight to everyone, I hoped to catch a few hours.

Crawling into bed, I moaned, sinking into the mattress. My eyes flickered, but I quickly grabbed my phone, firing off texts to Stella. I didn’t want to forget, and if I fell asleep, I wasn’t sure what time I’d wake up.

Me

Hey Stella!

Can you buy Grizz baby supplies?

You’re the only one I know of who can do this.

Please!

Drop off at my aunt’s.

Call Grizz first so that Dead doesn’t have a heart attack.

Should I warn her about Dead?She had told me they were chatting, but I didn’t think she knew how serious it was from his perspective. He was lying to himself, and my bodyguard couldn’t hide his alpha assholeness. I felt guilty immediately after thinking that. Dead had gone to bat for me a few times, and I considered him my best biker friend. I said a silent plea of forgiveness. He’d never know, but I would never think like that again.

The only way Dead had agreed to let Stella drop off was when Sabre had offered to have a brother check my aunt’s home. There had been nothing left to argue with, and Dead wouldn’t face a punishment for disrespect. His only ask had been that I tell Stella to text Grizz before she left the store. The brother checking my aunt’s home needed to be there before Stella arrived to secure her safety. She was my best friend, and Dead could trust that Grizz wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Grizz wasn’t here, and I feared the nightmares would haunt me, but I was exhausted. I let the bed swallow me whole, praying for sleep.

***

I opened my eyes, but the sun was shining, and it was too bright in the room. Instantly closing them again, I pulled the covers over my head. I didn’t want to be up, feeling like I had just fallenasleep. Picking up my phone, I checked the time with one eye open, barely focusing. It was only eleven, but there were a few messages from Stella.

Stella

Of course.

Love you!

Just dropped off.

Saw How and Zook?

I think.