Page 21 of Saige (Renegade Vipers MC #1)

Nineteen

Saige

I’ve been home a couple of weeks. I wake up screaming at night from nightmares, some nights, several times.

Loki is usually right there and calms me down.

He really hasn’t left my side. I barely make it to the bathroom alone.

I know he feels like it’s his fault, that he’s trying to make it up to me.

I’ve tried talking to him, letting him know that I don’t blame him.

I blame myself, as I should. I let the prospect leave when he wasn’t supposed to, then I let Loki and Sloane leave out before I was ready.

I was afraid everyone would crowd me in, but mostly everyone has been great, just letting me be.

Lynch came to me the other day and begged for me to forgive him for not taking care of Pyro before all of this happened.

I remember telling him there was nothing to forgive him for.

He had no control over what Pyro did. We had a funeral for Tonks, it was a beautiful send off.

After the funeral, Dad had pulled me and Bexley into his office.

He said that we would have to have at least two to three patches with us if we walk out of the clubhouse doors, that Rancor and a few others got away.

I asked about Poppy and Lilly, he said that they were dead, that he was sorry about my friends.

I told him about Poppy and said they were no friends of mine.

I was glad they were gone. Then I asked about Tonya, only to find out she is missing.

I reckon Rancor took her. He also said that Tech is still trying to hunt down who it was that bid on us.

Bexley has taken to a few of the folks in the club, which makes me happy.

She is such a great person. She and I are going to the bakery later today to go over a few things.

I can’t wait to get my hands back to making cakes and creating new things.

Sloane has done such a wonderful job of keeping things going for me.

Our customers that had the special orders?

They’re awesome. They said that they would wait for me to be home and safe, not to worry about their orders.

So, I’m going to make a few cakes today to be delivered to them all.

My bruises have faded some, I refuse to cover them with makeup.

I dress in a club tank top and some jeans.

I grab up a scrunchie, then lock my room.

I’m supposed to meet Sloane and Bexley in the common room with whoever is going to the bakery with us.

I know Loki is going. He still won’t leave my side.

I walk in to see Bex and Sloane at the table talking and laughing.

I’m so glad that she is fitting in, that everyone is accepting her.

Loki, Tires, Cotton, and Grange are standing by the door ready to go.

“Hey girls. Y’all ready to go get some sweet things made and sold today?

” They both laugh and we head out to my cage.

I give Tires my keys, the others follow on their bikes.

Bexley and I both still have a lot of pain from our cracked ribs.

I’ll be so happy to be back to one hundred percent.

The bite marks have pretty much healed up and are at the itching stage.

I just want to put all of this behind me.

Move on. I see how Cotton, Tires, and my dad watch me all the time.

It makes my anxiety higher. He pulls us up to the back door at the bakery, I go to unlock the door.

When we all get inside, the guys go check everything out, then sit at one of the tables I have set up out front.

Sloane and I had talked with Bexley, and we thought that we should add some tables in case someone wanted to eat a sweet in the store.

We even set up Wi-Fi. So now we are a bakery and sweets cafe.

I had pulled Sloane aside one day to thank her for keeping the place running while I was trapped and gave her an envelope with some extra money.

She deserved it. We get everything turned on, the ovens warming, and I get to work setting up what I need to make my first three cakes.

Bexley goes up front to take inventory for the things that we need to replace and make.

Sloane starts up the coffee and unlocks the front door, turning the open sign over.

I get my hands into the batter and I instantly calm.

Sloane is making the cookies and turnovers that are needed out front, and Bexley is running the register and serving those that come in to sit.

I’m on my third cake when Loki comes in the kitchen to tell me that there is someone out front that I need to see. “Who is it?”

“You’ll see.” He grins, walking back out. I get out front to see that the guys are making a spot at their table for a man in a wheelchair, and Bexley is getting him some coffee. Recognizing him right away, I grin, then grab a plate of cookies.

“Mr. Bumgardner, how’re you?” I ask as I set the cookies down.

“Saige, girl. You are a sight for sore eyes, dear. You look a lot better.” He takes my hand, patting it. I lean down to give him a hug the best that I can and kiss his cheek.

“You look good. I’m so happy that you are out of the hospital.

” I turn as the door chimes, to see Dad walking in with Alma, Mr. Bumgardner’s sitter.

I give her a light hug thanking her for bringing him by.

“Come sit, we’ll get you some coffee or tea.

And try the cookies. I made them just like he told me. ” Alma laughs as she sits down.

Earl looks at me, and after he swallows the bit of cookie in his mouth says, “Saige, these cookies are amazing, girl. Peanut butter with chocolate chips. Mmmmm. Now which one of these yahoos is the one that won’t man up and understand what a catch you are?

” Loki chokes on his coffee, Tires busts out laughing, and Cotton looks like he’s going to combust.

“Oh, Earl. You hush. You know my brother and cousin. You met them at the hospital.” My face has to be beet red, lordy kill me now.

“Ah yes, I do seem to remember those two there.” Dad got Earl onto a different subject and I swear it was like the rest of us have disappeared.

It was good to see him though. Earl was in the hospital room beside mine, and he has dementia.

He never had visitors other than Alma, his sitter, so I’d go over and see him.

Most days his memory was good, but then the others it wasn’t.

Alma looks at her watch saying, “Earl, we’re going to have to go if we’re to make your appointment on time.”

He nods, turning to me. “I’ll come back again, Saige girl. I’m so happy that you’re home and doing okay. Now remember, you come out to the house and see me anytime. You can sit on the porch swing I have, and we’ll just visit.”

“Thank you, Earl. You take care. Here, you take this box of cookies to tide you over until I see you again, okay?” I kiss his cheek and give Alma a small hug. “Be safe.”

She holds me to her, saying in my ear, “We will. Thank you for all that you do for him. He just loves you. He has claimed you as family.”

I smile as they leave. Once they are in the car and gone, I turn to go back into the kitchen when Cotton goes off. “Where did you meet that crazy old man? Are you sure you can trust him?” I see red, I’m so mad.

“That ‘crazy old man’ as you put it, was in the hospital room beside mine. He is a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, a retired LEO, and has no family left. He also has dementia, so for him to come in here today and remember me, is a huge thing! He’s the sweetest old man.

I enjoy his company and hearing his stories.

You don’t like it, you can leave.” I stomp off into the kitchen and set to work on some bread dough.

I need to get some frustration out, beating the dough sounds like a good idea since I can’t beat on Cotton .

“He’s gone,” Loki says still grinning from earlier.

“Who’s gone?” I ask even though I know.

“Cotton. He took off not too long after you ripped him a new asshole.”

“Loki, who all is out front?”

He looks at me, “Umm, Tires, your dad, my dad, Grange, Wolfe. Why?”

“Do me a favor. You’ve hardly spent any time with Sloane in almost a month.

Since all this went down. Get her, go somewhere.

Out to eat, to the park, y’all’s special place, I don’t care where, just go.

And don’t come bother me until tomorrow sometime.

I can get Cooper to stay with me tonight if I need to. ”

“You don’t want me around?”

“Lok, it isn’t that. It’s just that Sloane needs her boyfriend. She feels like you don’t care for her anymore. It’s really taking a toll on her. She feels like you blame her or something. I want you two to be happy. Please?”

“Yeah, I get it. Okay. I love you, BFF.”

“I love you too, BFF. Now go get your girl and get out of here!” He kisses my cheek; grabs Sloane and they head out. I look over to see Bexley grinning. “What? ”

“You are such a hopeless romantic.” She giggles.

I smile, “Yeah. Now I need to get you set up with someone. Perhaps that good looking brother of mine?” I ask as I wiggle my eyebrows at her. Laughing she shakes her head no, going back out front.