Page 11 of Pain (Kiss of Death MC #6)

Nadine

Holy shit, was I really doing this? My heart raced as we roared down the highway, Pain’s body a solid presence in front of me. I never imagined I’d be here, on the back of a motorcycle with a man I barely knew, but there I was.

The wind tugged at my clothes. I almost wished I could take my helmet off just to feel the wind in my hair but, hello…

nurse . The thought sent a shiver down my spine, but it was laced with more exhilaration than fear.

This freedom, this rush of adrenaline that coursed through my veins…

it was addictive. It also made me all too aware of the man in front of me.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the scents of the open road.

Gasoline, exhaust, and the faintest hint of freedom hit me like a welcome cool breeze on a hot summer night.

I tried to imagine this was a teenage rebellion instead of being on the run from God knew who.

Working in a high-security prison I’d been in a few dangerous situations, but this… this was on a whole different level.

Pain’s muscles bunched under my hands as he took us closer to safety.

Why was a guy on a motorcycle so Goddamned sexy?

Why was riding behind a man on a motorcycle so Goddamned sexy?

And fuck me, but why was Pain on a fucking motorcycle so God.

Damned. Sexy ? I didn’t like the vulnerability that came with trusting someone I didn’t know to navigate at high speeds on something I wasn’t safely buckled into, but I couldn’t seem to dwell on it like I should.

I expected the adrenaline crash to hit me hard, but I think the exhilaration of riding the bike let me down easily.

It was either that or the warmth of the man whose back I was pressed so intimately against. I wanted to lean my head against him, to take in his scent while I could because I was under no illusion I’d ever be so close to this man again.

Two bikes pulled up on either side of us. I tightened my grip on Pain fractionally, startled by the sudden company. Which was my own fault. I should have been paying attention instead of being in my own little world.

Pain gave them both a two-fingered salute before squeezing my knee reassuringly. We continued on for another hour before we rolled into a gravel parking lot in front of what I assumed was their clubhouse. Several men poured out of the main building while a few more came from the garage.

Pain held out his hand to steady me as I climbed off.

He dismounted behind me, careful to keep a hand on me at all times.

The older couple who’d met us on the road approached and the man held out his hand, reaching to take Pain’s.

The two greeted each other with a smile, pulling it in for a quick hug and a clap on the back.

“Glad you made it safe, boy.”

“Thanks for the escort, Pops.” Pain smiled and swung his gaze to the woman.

“Mama.” There was genuine warmth in his tone which wasn’t something I normally heard from him.

Of course, I had never interacted with Pain outside of tightly contained constraints.

It was yet another side of the man I found fascinating.

“We’re glad to make sure you get home safe, Dr. Raven.” Mama spoke to Pain like he was a favorite nephew or something. Definitely a family member. “Venus and Piston should be here soon.” She turned her attention to me and her smile softened. “Can I assume you’re Nadine Brentner?”

I nodded, “Yes. Thanks for riding with us.”

“You’re very welcome, dear. And, Pain, just so you know, your grandfather would be so proud of you.”

Pain snorted. “I doubt that. I mean, he would have once. But he’d have been appalled at my lack of control getting in that fight.”

Mama snorted. “I want it known I’m not speaking ill of the dead, I’m simply stating a fact. Me and Pops had to bail your grandfather out of jail more times for fighting than anyone else in Bones at the time.”

“Pretty sure he still holds the record,” Pops offered, a huge grin on his weathered face.

Pain had a startled look on his face before he narrowed his gaze. “You’re dickin’ with me.”

“Not in the least.” Mama’s warm laughter actually made me feel a little lighter. “No, trust me, Dr. Raven. He’d be very proud of the man you are.” She turned back to me. “Now. Nadine. Pain tells me you’re a nurse.”

“I am.” I wasn’t sure what to say or if small talk was appropriate.

Mama projected calm and motherly trust. If I had secrets, I’d have felt safe giving them to her.

I didn’t miss the hardness in her gaze, though.

I’d seen the same look in the eyes of hardened criminals.

Actually, no. I’m pretty sure Mama could be even harder than the men I’d met in the prison infirmary.

There was no doubt she was dangerous, but she wasn’t indiscriminate with her skills.

“Good. You’ll understand why I want you to come with me to see Stitches so he can look you over.”

Mama’s smile didn’t falter, but I wasn’t under any illusion I had a choice in the matter. “Who’s Stitches?”

“Iron Tzars’ doctor. He’s expecting both you and Pain.” Her gaze flickered to Pain, smiling to take the sting out of the order.

“You know, Mama, I am a doctor. You pointed that out yourself.”

“Fully aware, young man. I’m also aware that, as a doctor, you are ethically bound not to treat yourself or any close family member.”

“Nadine’s not a family member.”

“Yet.”

“Mama…”

“Pain…”

They stared at each other before both of them chuckled.

* * *

Stitches was surprisingly thorough in his exam. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that showed he genuinely cared about my comfort. Once he was satisfied I was good, he sent us on our way with a warm handshake and a smile for both me and Pain.

Mama gave him a warm hug then turned back to us. “Come on. Iris has a room ready for you.”

All of a sudden, there was a little cry and a small figure practically flew around the corner from the club house and straight to Pops.

“Uh-oh,” Mama said, her smile widening with affection. “Here comes your girl, Pops.”

Pops turned and, spotting the child, knelt and held out his arms for her to run and jump into. She wrapped her skinny arms and legs around him in a death grip. The older man hugged her back, patting her back and rocking back and forth with her.

“There’s my girl! Guess who’s coming later?

” She pulled back, a huge smile on her face and shook her head but didn’t say anything.

“Venus…” He let the woman’s name hang in the air.

The child’s eyes got wide and her fist bunched in Pops’s leather vest as she waited for him to tell her.

I could tell whatever name Pops dropped to her better be the person she hoped it was or I might have to punch the older man for the girl.

She looked so hopeful. He let the pause draw out for a moment before the girl slapped at his shoulder, her face scrunching up.

Still, she didn’t say anything. “And she might be bringing Piston with her.” The little girl let out another squeal, kissed Pops on the cheek, then wiggled down and took off back around the corner of the clubhouse.

“I’m guessing she likes Piston?” I couldn’t stop the question.

Watching the little girl so excited and obviously comfortable with the big, scary older man settled something inside me I hadn’t realized was upset.

While I had no doubt every single adult inside this place was very dangerous, they were obviously kind and nurturing to that child.

“Piston is her favorite person. Probably even more than Iris. And Clover loves Iris with everything in her.” Mama looped her arm through mine and led us toward the large building that apparently was the clubhouse.

The interior of the clubhouse surprised me.

I’d expected something darker, more intimidating, based on the rough exterior and the dangerous men who called it home.

Instead, it felt warm and lived-in, with comfortable furniture arranged in conversational clusters and family photos scattered on tables.

“This is nice,” I said, meaning it.

“It is.” Mama guided me through the large room toward a wide staircase at the back.

“I confess, I wasn’t expecting this.” I waved my hand to indicate the homey interior.

Mama chuckled. “Yeah. Not what one typically thinks of as a motorcycle club’s clubhouse. This section is for the families. Many of the men here have old ladies now. The families wanted a place free of club girls.”

“Club girls?”

Mama gave me a side-eye.

“Right. Stupid question. Please continue.”

That got a bark of laughter from Mama. “I like you, girl. You’re trying to keep an open mind.”

“My whole world got turned on its head today. The people I thought were the good guys are actually the bad guys. And some of the bad guys are really bad guys. Having said that, I have no problem giving any group of people a chance when the hardest-looking man of the bunch gets a tacklehug from an overly enthusiastic eight-year-old and he suffers it like a proud grandpa. As far as I’m concerned, you guys are great in my book. ”

Mama beamed down at me. “We all love the children and would protect them with our lives. It’s the main thing we tried to instill in everyone associated with us. And to be quite honest, these men are protective as hell, so they really didn’t need much encouraging.”

Stitches was surprisingly thorough in his exam. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that showed he genuinelycared about my comfort. Once he was satisfied I was good, he sent us on our way with a warm handshake and a smile for both me and Pain.

As we walked away, I glanced over my shoulder to find Pain close behind us.

He lifted one corner of his lips in a half smile as he winked at me.

The intimacy of that moment struck me. I sucked in a breath, unable to take my gaze off him.

Until I stumbled on the top step. Both Mama and Pain reached for me.

“Careful, dear. You’ll have plenty of time to ogle your young man once we get you settled.”

“Oh, Christ. You called me out!” I couldn’t help the laughter bubbling up inside me. “I can’t believe you actually called me out.”

“Believe it. But then, all the women in all the clubs I’m affiliated with have eyes for their men. No one expects you to be any different. Not in the Iron Tzars. Not in Kiss of Death.”

Again, I glanced over my shoulder as we walked down the hallway. Pain simply raised an eyebrow at me. “Um, you know I’m not with Pain. Right? I worked at the… uh, the facility where he was housed. He saved me, but we’re not, like, together together.”

Mama stopped at a closed door, taking a card and swiping a mechanized lock panel. She opened the door and held it open until we were both inside with her.

“How about you give it a month. If you still insist you’re not his woman then, I’ll take it back.

” She handed me and Pain each a key card.

“Sofa unfolds into a bed. Get me a list of anything you need for the next few days -- both of you.” Her gaze flickered from me to Pain and back.

“Tape it to your door before you go to bed and I’ll make sure it gets taken care of. ”

“I’ll take care of it, Mama.” Pain set down my suitcase and stepped closer to me. I felt his hand at the small of my back and wasn’t sure how I felt about the touch.

At first I wanted to melt against him, to let him pull me into his arms and keep out all the bad shit that had happened to me only a few hours ago.

Right on top of that was the knowledge that I was being pushed toward Pain in a not-so-subtle fashion.

Immediately following that thought was, would it really be so bad?

I seriously doubted he would want something more than a few pleasant days and nights.

The man hadn’t been out of prison long. I was certain he wouldn’t want to be tied down.

I knew I’d take what he offered for the experience, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to give in just yet.

And wasn’t that a sobering thought? I’d never been a one-night-stand kind of woman. Even in nursing school when everyone was hooking up after exams, I’d always needed more than physical attraction. But Pain… he was different. Everything about today was different.

“You’re deep in thought,” Pain murmured close to my ear as Mama left us alone, the door clicking shut behind her.

I jumped slightly, not realizing how close he was standing. “Just processing everything.”

His eyes, dark and knowing, studied my face. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” I admitted, running a hand through my wind-tangled hair. “I feel like if I start talking about everything that happened today, I might not stop. And then I’ll probably cry, and honestly, I’m too exhausted for that right now.”

Pain nodded, understanding without pushing. “Fair enough. Why don’t you take the bathroom first? Hot shower might help.”

The thought of washing away the day’s events sounded heavenly.

I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the bathroom, grateful for the moment alone.

Under the hot spray of water, I let my muscles finally release their tension.

The reality of my situation hit me in waves.

I’d fled my home, my job, my entire life.

I was now in a motorcycle club compound with a man I barely knew but somehow trusted with my life.

I thought I should have some internal alarm going off, telling me how fucking stupid I was, but the only thing my gut was telling me was that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

When I emerged in a large T-shirt and yoga pants, Pain was sitting on the edge of the couch, his forearms resting on his knees. He stood as he looked up, his gaze perusing me from head to toe before he turned his head.

“You okay?” He didn’t look at me and for some reason, it felt like a rejection.

“Honestly? I have no idea.” I sank onto the other side of the couch, suddenly exhausted. “This morning, I was a prison nurse. Now I’m… what? A fugitive? A witness? I don’t even know what to call myself. ‘Collateral damage’ sounds pretty appropriate.” I muttered the last part mostly to myself.

Instantly, Pain’s attention was squarely on me. “You’re alive. That’s what matters.”

“Because of you.” The words came out with heartfelt emotion that simply refused to be contained any longer. To my complete and utter horror, I completely broke down and started sobbing.