Page 73 of Nails

He looked at Duke, and Duke checked her pulse.

“She’s okay.I think her body just tapped out.Honestly, it’s probably the best thing for her right now.And you,” he added with a slight laugh.

Nails exhaled as he brushed the loose strands of hair from her face.“I’ve never wanted a woman so bad and had to tell my body to sit the hell down,” he said, earning a few chuckles from the guys.

“You’re evolving,” Bear joked.

“She’s different,” Nails said simply as he shifted Riley in his arms.“I’m gonna lay her down in my bed.I’ll be right back.”

Joker walked with him and pulled back the covers on the bed.Nails then gently laid Riley on the bed.He then untied her shoes and slipped them off, removed her hoodie, and covered her with the blanket.

He looked at her and hesitated for a second, then leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead.She still felt warm.

I swear to fucking god that I will find the person who did this to you and make them pay.

He stood slowly, with his fists clenched at his sides.He was so pissed off.He turned toward Joker.

“I’m going to find the bastard who did this to her,” he whispered, “and I’ll make damn sure they can never harm her or any other woman again.”

Joker nodded.“We got your back, man.She’s damn lucky you were there, or who knows what we’d be dealing with right now.”

Nails didn’t even want to think about that.He looked at her again.She looked so peaceful lying there.

Duke stuck his head in the room.“How is she?”he asked and walked closer.

“She’s sound asleep.”

“Bear sent a message to Derek to let him know what happened.”

Nails nodded and ran a hand through his hair.He didn’t want to leave her side.

“I think I’m gonna sit with her for a bit.”

Both Duke and Joker grinned and nodded as if they understood.

“If you need anything, come get me,” Duke said before he and Joker exited the room.

As soon as the door clicked closed, Nails stripped out of his clothes and jumped in the shower to wash the club scene off of him.Once he finished, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants, leaving his chest bare.

He turned on the small lamp that sat on a table across the room.That way, if she woke up, she’d be able to see.

He carefully climbed into the bed, not wanting to jostle her, but the second he settled on his back, the little minx rolled over and curled against him like she belonged there.She had one arm draped over his stomach, and her head was nestled against his shoulder.Her breathing was soft and slow.

He turned his head and softly kissed her temple.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he whispered.“I promise you that I’ll find who did this to you.”His voice then dropped to a dark promise.“And when I do, they’ll wish they never messed with you.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The next morning, Riley stirred when a beam of sunlight slipped through the blinds and landed directly across her face.She winced, squeezing her eyes shut against the brightness, but it was too late as the unwelcome glare had already pulled her from a deep sleep.

Her body felt extremely warm, as if she were wrapped in an electric blanket set on the highest level.

However, it only took a few seconds for her to realize that the warmth was radiating from the bare chest pressed against her back and the strong arm that was wrapped securely around her waist.

Her eyes snapped open, and she slowly turned her head to look over her shoulder.

Her eyes widened when she saw that she was in bed with Nails, who was currently plastered to her body like a human backpack.