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Razor

A FEW DAYS later, I was securely ensconced at Hatch and Maisie’s home, and Katie had made a surprise visit to check on me. I was not happy to see her.

Let me clarify.

I was happy to see her in the sense that I adored her, but not happy to see her in the sense that she always told me the cold, hard truth.

And she was doling out said truth right now, and I was not in the fucking mood to hear it.

“Look, buddy, if you don’t get some serious PT, you’re gonna lose use of your hand and arm,” Katie warned .

I scowled. “And how the fuck am I gonna do that, Kate, if I can’t leave Hatch’s home or the compound?”

She sighed. “Haven’t figured out that part yet.”

“ And , maybe we don’t talk to Katie like an asshole,” Hatch suggested, walking into the room. Of course, his suggestion wasn’t a suggestion, and I knew it.

“Sorry, Katie,” I said.

She smiled as Hatch made his way to her and kissed her cheek. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hey, yourself.”

Hatch nodded toward me. “I think we can get you to PT and back without raising any red flags.”

“Yeah?” Katie asked, hopefully.

“You just gotta dress like a civilian.”

“What does that mean?” Katie asked.

“No cut, no colors, nothing to indicate you’re in a club,” Hatch said.

I frowned. “No fuckin’ way. I don’t roll up anywhere undressed, Hatch. You know this.”

“It’s temporary, brother.”

I scoffed. “You’re my prez, how can you ask me to do this? It goes against our code.”

“I’d rather you not be dead than follow any kinda code right now, kid,” he said.

I scowled deeper.

Hatch raised an eyebrow. “Have one of the girls or a prospect drive you. Cash has some time, he can drive you too. We switch up cars and routes each time.”

“Why can’t you do my PT?” I asked Katie .

“Because I’m not a physical therapist.” She patted my cheek, a little harder than might be necessary. “Plus, you’ll be way nicer to someone else.”

“Hey, I apologized.”

“Yeah, but the fact you had to apologize in the first place proves my point.”

“Fair.” I reached for her hand with my good one and gave it a squeeze. “I really am sorry, sweetheart.”

“All good, buddy.” She smiled. “I am happy to drive you, though. And sit in on the first appointment if that makes you feel better.”

“That’d be great.” I released her hand. “Thanks.”

“You ready to shower?” she asked.

I tried not to let the humiliation sink into my bones. “Yeah.”

Hatch and Katie helped me into the bathroom where Hatch helped me undress, then Katie slid on my cast covers, before Hatch was up again to guide me into the shower chair. He covered my dick with a hand towel, then Katie walked back in.

“You want me to do your hair, then you can do the rest?” she asked.

I nodded.

She cupped my chin. “I’m a medical professional, buddy. Remember that. None of this should bother you.”

“Well, the fact you’re washing my privates is kinda humiliating.”

“Pretty sure you can handle your privates, big man.” She smiled gently. “Well, other than one armpit. ”

I let out a quiet grunt.

“Would you rather have Hatch do it?” she challenged.

“Hell, no.”

She chuckled, grabbing the handheld shower sprayer, and washing my hair. Once that was done, she gave me some privacy so I could finish up, staying within shouting distance.

It took me far too long and a shit ton out of me to finish, but I did it and I did it alone.

“I’m done, Katie,” I called, and she reached in and turned off the water. She then handed me a towel from around the curtain and waited for me to dry off. Well, as much as I could sittin’ on a wet shower chair.

“You ready for me to get Hatch?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I breathed out.

After the ‘committee’ finished assisting me with my shower, I was wiped out, so I was settled (forcibly) into a recliner in the family room by Hatch.

“I’ve cleaned out your portable urinal and tidied up your bedroom a bit, so I’m going to head out,” Katie said. “Call or text if you need anything, okay?”

“Thanks sweetheart,” I said, giving her a tired smile.

She grabbed her coat and walked out the door and I closed my eyes. The drugs I’d taken earlier started to kick in, especially after the exertion of the shower. They did not, however, block out the screech of my sister’s voice as she entered the house soon after I’d fallen asleep.

I startled awake and sighed. “Angelica,” I hissed .

She came rushing into the room, followed by my mother and sister, Francesca. She was closest to me in age and working in fashion.

In New York.

“Frankie?” I frowned. “You’re supposed to be in New York.”

“Well, when my baby brother nearly gets murdered, I get my ass on a plane and come home,” she sassed, leaning down to kiss my cheek.

“Language, Francesca,” Mom admonished.

“Sorry, Mamma,” she said, then mouthing to me, “Asshole.”

“You weren’t supposed to be told about this at all,” I complained.

“Well, therein lies the problem,” Frankie admonished. “I would have been here sooner, but Angelica threatened Bianca with death if she told me before the show, which went off without a hitch, so yay me, but still, you should have told me immediately. Not cool, Pastrami.”

I sighed.

“You four visit,” Maisie said. “I’ll make some tea.”

“You don’t need to do that,” I said. “They won’t be staying long.”

“Razor,” Maisie said, meeting my eyes. “Your mother has taken the time to come and visit. She’ll stay as long as she needs. Right, love?”

“Right.” I sighed and nodded. “Sorry, Mamma.”

My mother smiled gently at Maisie and waited until she left the room before leaning down, nose-to-nose with me. “Listen to me, you little shit. If you ever scare me like that again, I will murder you.” She grabbed my face gently, running her thumbs over my cheeks. “Capisce?”

“Mom!” Frankie snapped. “Language.”

“What language? You heard nothing.” She straightened, then sat on the sofa beside me.

Angel leaned down and kissed my cheek. “You look good.”

“That’s because I showered and have painkillers coursing through me. I’d be even better if I could have finished my nap.”

“Next time, I’ll think about making an appointment,” Mom said, then chuckled. “Oh, no, wait. I’m your mother. I pushed you out of my vagina, fed you from my breasts, watched your father get murdered in front of me, and was left to raise five children alone. So, maybe I’ll do as I damn well please.”

Well, shit. She played ‘the card.’ Actually, she played all ‘the cards.’

I took a deep breath. I had also been there when my father had been murdered, although she didn’t know that, and I wasn’t about to tell her. It had gutted me. All of us. But she’d crumpled. At least, for a time. However, five kids and a life that needed to be continued, pushed you to move on. And she’d done exactly that.

“Jesus, you act more like a mafia boss than a mother,” Frankie grumbled.

My mother raised an eyebrow. “How do you know I’m not?”

Before any of us could retort, Maisie returned with a pot of tea and cookies. Mom rushed to help her.

“Thank you, Camilla,” Maisie said.

“No, thank you,” Mom countered. “This is so kind, Maisie.”

Mom had been a ‘hard sell’ when I’d decided to join the Dogs of Fire, but she’d come around and come around fast when she’d met Hatch and Maisie. Partly because it was quite possible if Hatch didn’t take me to heel, I’d probably be in jail, but also because she probably had a little crush on him.

She might even have a little crush on Maisie.

“It’s my pleasure.” Maisie smiled. “I’ll leave you to visit. If you need anything, just give me a yell.”

“Thanks, Maisie,” I said, and she squeezed my good arm before walking out of the room.

My mother faced me and cocked her head. “I need this to stop.”

“What?” I asked.

She waved her hand from the top of my head back down to my toes. “This.”

I sighed. “This was random and there was no way to stop it.”

“Being part of—”

I raised my hand. “Don’t.”

Mom let out a huff as she pressed her lips together in silent judgment.

“It’s dangerous. It nearly got you killed.”

“You and Dad went to buy Christmas presents, and he was stabbed for it, so don’t sit there and tell me about what’s fuckin’ dangerous.”

“Enough!” Hatch growled as he walked into the room. “You will not disrespect your mother in my house.”

I nodded, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

Hatch turned to my mom. “Camilla, you mind giving me a moment of your time, sweetheart?”

Mom set her teacup aside and nodded. “Of course.”

He gave me one more look of warning as she rose to her feet and followed him out of the room.

“Jesus, he’s sexy as hell even when he’s growling at you,” Angelica breathed out.

“More, if that’s possible,” Frankie whispered.

“Don’t be gross,” I hissed.

“Just speaking the truth,” Angelica sassed.

“What the hell is going on, Angel?” I snapped.

She raised an eyebrow, then focused on her teacup. “Whatever do you mean, little brother?”

“Mom wasn’t scheduled to ‘visit’ until Saturday. Why is she here today?” I cocked my head. “Why are you here today?”

“Mom’s got it in her head—”

“Frankie!” Angelica snapped. “Shut it.”

I frowned. “Mom’s got it in her head... what?”

Frankie shrugged.

“Spill,” I growled.

“Mom wants you out.”

“Jesus, Frankie.” Angelica leaned over and flicked her forehead. “Shut your goddamned mouth.”

“Mom wants me out of what?” I pressed, even though I knew the answer.

“Don’t be obtuse,” Angelica said at the same time Frankie said, “The club.”

“Fucking hell,” I bit out, trying to push to my feet.

“What the hell are you doing?” Angelica demanded, setting her cup aside, and standing in front of me.

“I need to stop Mom from spouting whatever bullshit she’s spouting to Hatch.”

“Sit down, Gio,” Angelica ordered. “You’ll do more damage trying to move without help.”

“Razor,” I corrected.

“I changed your diaper, little brother, you’ll always be ‘Giovanni Pastrami crying for his mommy’ to me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “The fact I was crying for our mother while in your care is very telling.”

“Oooh, burn,” Frankie retorted.

“I’m so glad my childhood trauma is amusing to you,” I bit out. “Now, can you all get the fuck out so I can suffer in my current trauma without you adding to it?”

Before my sisters could comment further, my mother walked back into the room.

Correction.

She stormed back into the room, snatching up her purse and glaring at me as she did so. “Girls, we’re leaving.”

“But we just got here,” Frankie whined.

“Francesca,” Mom warned.

“You didn’t get the answer you were looking for, hm?” I asked.

I was a dick for asking, especially with the tone I was using, but I couldn’t resist the little dig.

“This is not over,” Mom hissed, jabbing a finger toward me.

“Maybe you should think about dropping it, Mamma. Otherwise, it really will never be over.” I cocked my head. “Don’t make me choose between you and the club.”

Four feminine gasps filled the space. And I say four, because Maisie had walked in without me noticing.

“Razor!” Maisie admonished.

“Fuck,” I breathed out.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears as she slid her purse over her arm, giving me a look that could kill before storming out of the house.

Angelica followed suit, while Francesca sighed, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You’re a dumbass. I love you but you’re a fucking idiot and you know it. At some point, you’ll figure it out and have to come crawling back, but this time it’s going to cost you a lot more than your pride.”

With that, she thanked Maisie and walked out the door.

I dragged a hand down my face and sank deeper into my chair.

“Not good, darling,” Maisie said.

“Well, she needs to understand that I will not give up the club.” I met her eyes. “She’s trying to get Hatch involved like I’m an errant child unable to make my own decisions. She’s out of line.”

Maisie gave me a sad smile. “She’s a mother who has lost her husband and thought she might lose her child.”

“She didn’t lose me,” I grumbled.

“She doesn’t know that, Razor. Give her some grace.” Hatch walked in but Maisie wasn’t done with her motherly lecture. She cupped my chin. “And trust that your president has your back.”

Kissing her man, she left us alone and Hatch sat in the chair across from me.

“What’d my mom want?” I asked.

Hatch leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees. “Before we get into that, I need some assurances from you.”

“What kind of assurances?”

“The kind that entails giving your mother more fuckin’ respect.”

“Hatch—”

“I don’t wanna fuckin’ hear it, kid,” he snapped. “Outside of the fact she’s your goddammed mother, she’s been through it over the years, and she’s earned it.”

“Doesn’t excuse her—”

“It excuses all manner of things, Razor,” Hatch argued.

“She wants me out, Hatch!” I snapped.

“And you seem to forget she doesn’t have the power to get you out.”

“Well, she has the power to make me miserable until I die.”

“Doesn’t have the power to do that either.” He raised an eyebrow. “Only you do, brother.”

“What did she say to you?”

“I won’t betray her confidence.” He sighed. “But you’re right, she wants you out.”

“Goddamn it!”

“I’m not releasin’ you,” Hatch assured. “Unless you want it.”

“I don’t.”

He smirked. “I know.”

“I want these fuckers who did this to me dead,” I snarled.

“Right now, I want you to focus on healing your body. And gettin’ your head right. I will take care of the fuckers who did this to you. I will also handle your mother. But you need to apologize to her and cut her a fuckin’ break.”

“I want to help dealing with the Spiders.”

“No.”

“What the fuck, Hatch? You can’t cut me out—”

“I can do whatever the fuck I wanna do. I’m your goddammed president.”

I scowled at him. “This is bullshit.”

“Look, I get that you want to take care of this, but you can’t right now. Literally, brother. You need to heal. As soon as you have your leg back to fighting shape, I’ll read you in. Deal?”

I scowled at him for a few more seconds before giving him a curt nod. “Yeah, fine.”

“Oh, thank you, benevolent one.”

“Now, about going out without wearing my colors.”

“Not rehashing that,” Hatch said. “Katie will pick you up on Thursday and take you to your first appointment. You’ll be nice. And not my version of nice. Maisie’s version of nice. On second thought, I want you Sadie’s version of nice.”

“What the hell, man? You gotta invoke the name of a nun? Like I can compete with the goodness of a holy sister.”

“Technically, she’s an ex-holy sister,” he corrected.

Sadie had in fact been a nun when she’d met and fallen in love with Ryder Carsen. He was the son of the ex-president of the Gresham Spiders, but we didn’t hold that against him, considering he’d had our club’s back from the beginning and continued to do so, even though he refused to patch in.

“Whatever, Hatch. You brought her up.” I sighed. “But I get it, okay? I’ll be a goddamn ray of sunshine, emitting puppies, rainbows, and maybe a few Skittles if I can’t hold back a fart.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” Hatch chuckled. “You got a couple hours to nap before dinner, so take advantage. You’re due for meds. You want them now?”

I nodded, and he got them for me before leaving me to sleep.