Page 39

Fury

Three days later,

“Thank you,” I muttered, wincing from the slight ache of my split lip. I tried not to complain. It could have been worse, but no matter what pain I felt, it was nothing compared to what Carly had suffered. Just looking at her bruised and swollen face hurt more than my two cracked ribs.

Fuck, I wanted to beat that fucker’s ass all over again for what he did to her. Shaking my head, I just sat next to her bed, holding her hand while I waited for her to wake up.

After setting the barn and the house on fire, we drove back to the hospital in Worcester, where Josh insisted a doctor check me out and I got myself cleaned up before seeing Carly. It just so happened that the same doctor who operated on my wife was in the emergency room. He took one look at me and nodded. He didn’t need to ask what happened to me or where I’d been. He fucking knew, and his silence was his approval. While treating my wounds, he gave me another update and told me that if I didn’t bother the nurses, I could sit with her.

Which was where I stayed.

She was never leaving my sight again, and as soon as she was able, I was taking her away from this life and never looking back. We had both given and lost too much. Enough was enough.

“You don’t have to thank me. We’re family.”

I smirked at that. Family. Yeah, I guess we were.

“What did you mean when you said you had just recently learned that your own family was full of secrets?”

Braesal sighed. “I learned that I have a son.”

Looking at the man, I said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

“It’s a long story and I don’t come out well in it, but it’s true. I have a son.”

“Children are a blessing.”

Braesal chuckled. “Yes, they are, but he is not a child; he’s a full-grown man.”

“And he doesn’t want a father?”

“More like he doesn’t need one. Enough about me. What are you going to do now? Go back to your club?”

Looking back at Carly, I sighed. “I want to take her away from everything. Her whole life, everyone around her has used her for their own greed. She’s never had a choice. I want to give her that, and hopefully, whatever she decides will include me and my girls.”

“She kept saying your name. Even when they were rushing her into surgery, she kept muttering, ‘Fury of the sea.’ I don’t think you have to worry about her leaving you.”

Turning back to Braesal, I asked, “What would you do?”

“If she were my woman, I would ask her what she wanted. It’s her life too, Christian, and after what I witnessed in the barn, you are more than capable of protecting her, no matter what she decides. I think what you really need to ask is whether you want to return.”

“I’d like to know that too.”

Looking up, I saw Montana standing in the doorway.

“So, what’s it gonna be, brother?”

Sighing, I closed my eyes and shook my head. I didn’t know how to answer that question. For the first time since I was sixteen, I found myself faced with a momentous decision; however, this time, it wasn’t just about me.

“I will leave you two to talk,” O’Malley said, getting to his feet. Walking over to Montana, O’Malley stuck out his hand as Montana took it. “Montana.”

“O’Malley.”

The second Braesal was gone, I sneered, “I don’t want you here.”

“I know you don’t.” Montana sighed, walking over to her bed. Leaning over her, he kissed her forehead and whispered, “Hey, beautiful.”

Taking a seat, Montana leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m a dick. I’m a selfish bastard who only thinks of himself. It’s one of my more endearing qualities that Tessa’s been trying to beat out of me.”

“She needs to hit you harder.”

He smirked. “I’ll tell her you said that. Look, Fury, I know I’ve treated you wrong, and I’m sorry. I should have immediately put a stop to Dad’s shit when I took over the club. Instead, I did nothing.”

“You should have done a lot of stuff, like listen to your board.”

“I know, and I will from now on. Not saying I won’t argue, pitch a fit, or lose my shit occasionally, but I will try to listen more.”

I huffed.

“How about this? You come back, and when I don’t listen, you can slap me upside the back of my head.”

I smirked. “And risk breaking my hand on your hard head? I think I’ll pass.”

“Real talk.” Montana sobered. “Can’t do what comes next without you, brother. Learned some shady shit on my road trip. Reaper did too. Gonna need you with me to make sense of it all.”

“Don’t want my girls around this shit.”

“Don’t want my family around it either, but you work better when you have your girls, Fury. We all saw how they changed you. Without them, you become unhinged. You don’t think clearly. And with Charlotte in a coma, you are going to need your girls more than ever.”

“Can’t protect them and do what you need me to do.”

“Yes, you can.”

Looking at my president, I frowned. “How?”

“Exchange program. You and Vicious will help Reaper and the Golden Skulls figure out where Thena Hartley is, while myself and the rest of the board will hunt down and kill Gray Greer and Dakota.”

I grinned, shaking my head. “That son of a bitch finally talked you into the dual membership.”

Montana growled. “I still hate him.”

“No, you don’t. You like him, only you are too fucking pigheaded to admit it. Face it, Montana, the two of you are more alike than either of you are willing to admit, and that bugs the living shit out of you.”

Montana grinned. “You ever tell him I said this, I’ll make your wife a widow, but I actually enjoyed my road trip with the asshole. When I wasn’t trying to kill him.”

Turning my head to look out the window, Montana asked, “What the hell are you looking at?”

“Trying to see if lightning struck.”

“Asshole,” he chuckled.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Other than your normal death and destruction?” Montana said then smiled. “More death and destruction. Are you in?”