Page 31 of Dusty and Dented (Fallen Angels MC #2)

Twenty minutes later Dagger knocked on the open door to the office where Hawkeye and Pike did most of whatever they did on their computers. Dagger could and did use a computer for his club job as treasurer, but these two took it to a different level.

“Yo,” Hawkeye said, twisting around so he could see him. “That didn’t take as long as I feared. How many did she recognize?”

“All of them.” Dagger deliberately stayed quiet—he wanted to see the other man’s reaction before he continued.

Hawkeye’s eyes went wide. “There are more than a dozen photos in there. Are you saying he used all of them not just to ‘teach her a lesson’,” he made air quotes with his hands as he said the last, “and that he didn’t just have them rape her but gang rape?”

“Pretty much, but while she recognized them all, there were only three that need to be eliminated. She tells me the others were never there, at least that she knew of, when she was being ‘disciplined’.” Dagger dropped the folder on the desk next to Hawkeye and shoved his hands through his hair. He wanted to grab both fists full and pull, but he held himself back. Maybe he should go question Shadow again and burn off some of this rage.

No. He couldn’t. He needed to tell Hawkeye what he’d come to tell him then go back up and check on Andy. He’d forced her to stir up a lot of hard memories and the day was barely starting. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

“Here are the ones she said were in on her ‘discipline sessions.’ Fuck, I hate that phrase. She’s a grown fucking woman, she doesn’t need to be disciplined.” He shook his head and wondered what went through some people’s heads as he pulled out the four photos Andy had indicated and gave them to Hawkeye. “She recognized the others but only as people she’d met through that fuckwad. She said they were more business associates than actual friends. At least for most of these.” He tapped his finger on the folder he’d closed once more. He didn’t want to have to look at any of them again, especially knowing that he wouldn’t be able to do what needed to be done. He’d have to trust his brothers to have his back. And he did, but still it irked.

“Raven said he’s going to get Shotgun and Bear on the road first thing this morning. It’s a long drive down there but we don’t want to risk plane tickets or anything that can be traced. There’s more to the Iron Crows and what they’re up to that I think we need to take a closer look at, but I don’t have all the info yet. I’ll bring it to the table when I have it all. Give it a few days and she should be able to go back to her life” Hawkeye shot Dagger a sly look from the corner of his eye. “If you’re through with her by then, that is.”

Dagger contained the urge to snarl and shove Hawkeye against the wall. His brother was trying to get a reaction, and Dagger had better things to do than to indulge in the other man’s wish to have someone beat on him for a while.

“Let me know if you need anything more from us.” Dagger knocked once on the desktop then turned and left. He knew where he wanted to be, and listening to Hawkeye make bad jokes wasn’t it.

Up in his room, he found Andy much where she’d been when he left, except instead of sitting on the bed where she’d been, it looked like she’d melted. She’d leaned over and was laying bent at a ninety-degree angle, one side of her face smashed against the sheets. The sight made his cock twitch in his jeans but he reminded himself that he wasn’t here for that. There would be plenty of time for it later, if she felt like it.

“Hey, Sparky, how you doing?” he said as he stepped into the room and closed the door.

“I’m okay. I hurt. I don’t want to move. I’m hungry. I don’t want to have to go downstairs and face everyone knowing.” She lifted one hand to cover the exposed part of her face, as if she was hiding from him now that he knew.

He went to the bed, sat on the edge and pulled her hand away from her face. He positioned his head over hers, looking down at her and waiting for her to look at him, even if it was only with one eye.

“They don’t all know. The only way they’ll find out is if you tell them. But even if you did, you were the victim. You don’t blame the victim. You were strong enough to get yourself out of the situation, you are moving on.” He watched as she looked away and her face flushed, making her look even more appealing.

“But I wasn’t. I couldn’t get myself out. I had to call Travis for help.”

“But you made the call. You made the decision and stuck to it. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing. Sticking to a decision that scares you or is uncomfortable, even if you know it’s for the best.” He watched her for several seconds, then, when he thought she was ready to hear it, he spoke again. “I need to ask you something. You don’t need to make a decision now. In fact, I’d rather you wait a while, think about it before you make up your mind.” Before she told him no, that was what he really meant, but he wouldn’t say it. He wouldn’t jinx this if he could help it.

“What?” Andy asked, pushing herself upright. He waited until she sat a few inches away, watching him, then he picked up one of her hands where it rested on top of the blanket that covered her lap.

“Stay with me.”

She frowned. “I’m already here.” She motioned to the room around them. “I already agreed to that.”

“You agreed to a few days.” Dagger shook his head. “I’m talking longer. I want you to stay.”

“Stay? How long?” Andy’s eyes went wide. She stared at him as if she wasn’t sure she could believe her eyes.

“I was kind of hoping for forever.” He glanced down at their hands, not wanting to see her expression change as what he said sank in. He wanted her to say yes. He wanted her to be happy, but he just didn’t know how she would react.

“I don’t want to bring you and the rest of the Angels any more trouble. Tony won’t give up. He’s going to make trouble for us all.”

“We don’t mind a little trouble, baby. We can handle whatever he sends. I want to make sure you’re safe. I want to make sure he never lays a hand on you again. I want to see you smile.” He slid one hand up the blanket to where it rested against her hips, then up to where her soft, perfect belly was covered with the thin cotton of his t-shirt. “I want to see you happy. I want to see you big and bold as you carry my son and try to tell me how to do everything.” He leaned closer, moving his gaze to her face as he let the last hope he had to convince her fall from his lips. “Somehow, I’ve fallen for you, Sparky. Harder than I ever thought possible. Please let me make you as happy as you’ve made me.”

Tears pooled in her eyes by the time he finished. When she nodded, the tears spilled over her lashes and streaked down her face, but she laughed and nodded again, ignoring the wet trails down her cheeks.

“I thought I was crazy. You’ve stolen my heart already and I knew I was being stupid, but I couldn’t help it. But I’m still worried about Tony.”

“Don’t worry about him. We’ll take care of you and make sure that everyone around here knows you’re part of the Angels family. Once word of that gets out, you’ll be safe, even if that fuckwad is still around. We may be called Angels but none of us have halos and there’s a reason for that.”

Dagger leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. Andy’s arm hooked around his neck and pulled him close.

“I don’t know about that,” she whispered. “I think you’re pretty angelic sometimes, even if your halo is a little dusty and dented. But you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you just the way you are. Ruffled wings, crooked halo, and all.”

The End