Page 13

Marx

I t’s chaos. It’s motherfucking chaos. One moment we were laughing with each other in the common room, giving Dad and Pops shit, and then next minute bullets ring out and half the fucking roof caves in. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the screams of terror from the Ol Ladies and the MC kids. Once the memory of their voices clears the memory of the blood, so much blood permeates my mind.

“Pres?” Nitro’s voice breaks through my thoughts, taking my mind off the fucking hard chair I’m sitting in.

I bolt upright from my chair, wanting to know, no, needing to know how Fox is doing.

“He’s stable. They’re going to leave him in an induced coma for another couple of days to let him heal …” he trails off.

I grip his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thanks Nitro, now go look after your man.”

He gives me a look, almost shocked that I could see what hadn’t even occurred to him until the moment Fox took two to the gut. Nitro swallows, his adam’s apple bobbing as he tries to find the words.

“I can’t lose him, Pres,” he blinks moisture from his eyes.

“I know, and you won’t. Now get back there and make sure he knows you’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t wake up soon.” He gives me a chin lift before turning to leave the room.

“Pres? You do the same for Lovely, yeah?” My eyes dart to the person in the bed behind me, before meeting Nitro’s gaze. I give him a single nod, and he leaves, walking through the doors to Lovely’s room.

Sitting heavily back down in the chair I let my gaze run over the woman lying before me. Gentle. Kind. Infuriating. Brave. Lovely.

A knock breaks me out of my thoughts and I snap to attention again, my men, no, my family need me.

“Come in,” I call out, waiting to see who it is this time.

“Just me,” Rhodie says, leading Pops and Mad Dog into the room. He swallows, looking at Lovely. “How is she?” I just shake my head. Her condition hasn’t changed since she came out of surgery, but it’s early days yet. He nods in understanding. “The clubhouse will be a complete rebuild.”

Fuck. I lean forward in my chair, scrubbing my hands down my face. Where the fuck are my MC going to go? I open my mouth to bitch about it, but I’m stopped from saying anything at Pops’ raised hand.

“I live in a big fucking farmhouse. I’m surrounded by land, and it’s private. The MC can have the house until we’re back on our feet,” he says earnestly.

I stare at him. This pain in my ass has just offered us sanctuary. Pops, who has spent his life winding us up, has selflessly offered up his home.

“Well, fuck, don’t go soft on me, kid. You got vengeance to reap.”

I’m shocked when a laugh bursts out of me and I let it rumble over me, my shoulders relaxing as one really big fucking problem has now been solved by Sidney Tombs.

“Pops, thank you.” My voice breaks at the end but I don’t give a shit.

“You’re family, kid. Through better or worse.”

Mad Dog grips Pops shoulder, giving him a squeeze, then they turn to leave. “We’ll sort out the MC. You get the rest of your shit in order,” Dad calls over his shoulder.

“Anything you need brother, call me. Chewy and the Computa’s have relocated to the Tombs offices. They’re working around the clock to find anything of use. Roman called, he and Sasha are bringing in Dima to help.”

“Good, that’s good.” My phone vibrates and I pull it from my cut, glancing at the screen. “Landry’s will be here by tonight.”

“Fuck,” Rhodie’s eye’s drift to Lovely.

Scrubbing my hand down my face I let out a long breath, “I know brother.”

“I’ll go help Pops and Dad, get the walking wounded settled and hit the streets with Jules. Someone out there must know something.”

I give my little brother a nod, stand and then pull him into my arms. “Be safe out there,”

“Always.”

He turns to leave, knocking twice on the door jamb, leaving me alone with the woman who has had me in knots since she first set foot in my clubhouse.

“I know I’ve been an ass, but listen to me, and listen good,” I whisper to her. She doesn’t move, not even a flutter of her eyelids, but it doesn’t matter, I have to get this out. “Fuck all that shit I said, you’re mine. Hear me, Lovely? You. Are. Mine.”