Claiming Crusher (Savage Brothers MC #4)(22)

“She has plenty of company, Hellcat,” I answer, thinking she was the one who was all alone here.

“Nic is all I have in the world besides Ray. I want…I need to know she’s okay.”

“Are we friends, Hellcat?” I ask. I get up to head to the surgery waiting room.

“Time will tell I guess. I’m not exactly bosom buddy material these days,” she answers holding her head down. She looks kind of defeated and I hate it.

“I don’t know Hellcat, I kind of like your bosom.”

She doesn’t laugh, which is what I wanted, but she kind of half smiles before lying back against her pillow. She’s worn out. I leave without any further words and close the door quietly behind me.





Chapter 7




Dani


The Black Plague.

Did you know another name for the Black Plague is death? I feel about as welcomed as that, so it fits. I understand it—I do. I don’t really like myself right now. I add it up as just another mistake in a long line of them. Everyone has given me the cold shoulder, and if looks could kill, then Dragon and Bull’s death glare would definitely have done me in.

I’ve gone and seen Nicole, but she hasn’t regained consciousness. She developed an infection. When I first came through and the nurse told me Nic was shot too…it felt as if my world was ending. All I ever wanted was to protect Nicole and I’m the reason she’s clinging to life.

I’m supposed to be getting out of the hospital today. Crusher says I need to come home to the club. The club isn’t home—especially with everyone hating me. I don’t want to leave Nicole either, I’d rather stay at the hospital until I know she’s going to be okay. I’ve said some prayers for her but it’s been well established that God doesn’t answer my prayers.

I’m sitting on my hospital bed, wearing the bloody jeans and a hospital scrub shirt the nurse gave me. The jeans have been cut up on one side, but they’re all I have. One of the nurses offered pants too, but I declined. I’m just thankful they didn’t cut the pants off of me for some reason. I don’t want charity if I can get away from it. I’m used to having no one looking out for me. It’s less risky, and better not to depend on people.

Still today, I’m feeling…lonely. I’m feeling…isolated. Part of it is the way the club is treating me, part of it is fear over Nic and still some is…being tired. Deep inside I’m disappointed I didn’t die. It would have been easier and better for everyone if it was me fighting for my life instead of Nicole. She has everything to live for. Me? Hell, I wouldn’t fight for life…not even a little bit.

“Those look like deep thoughts, hummingbird.”

My body jerks as I look up to see Beast standing there and I instantly want to scream for help. I don’t trust him, he sent Tiny to me… he…

“Stop the looks, I had nothing to do with Tiny. When I woke up you were sleeping I went to find us breakfast, when I came back you were gone. I’d hoped that meant you felt like you could tackle things now. I sure as hell didn’t expect you to go off with Tiny—never did like that *.”

I’m not sure I believe him, but his words do have a ring of truth in them. Then again, what have I ever known about a man being truthful? There’s also the fact he’s holding a vase full of yellow daises. The flowers are big, but in his large hands they look small and awkward.

I clear my throat, trying to tread slowly here.

“He said you sent him. He mentioned things we talked about while I was there.”

“Little weasel probably listened through the door. I’m sorry,” he says taking another step in.

I keep my body from retreating further. I’ve been in the hospital for four days now and that’s four days without pills. I wanted to tell the doctor that I needed some sort of anxiety medicine, but it felt like a weakness. What if Crusher or one of the club members found out? Would they label me as Nicole’s unstable friend who is completely crazy that got her…almost got her killed?

“Pretty flowers,” I say trying to sound tough, but I have a feeling it’s going to take a bit to find that voice again. It’ll at least be after I get out of here. Being in a hospital brings back memories. Memories I shouldn’t have. Memories that are slowly cutting holes inside of me, and that’s bad because I already have craters the size of football fields.

“You look like a daisy kind of girl instead of roses,” Beast says as he puts the vase down beside my bed.

I touch the petals slowly. They are beautiful. Bright, soft petals the color of sunshine with warm dark brown centers.

“Why do I look like daisies?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“Daises are strong. They can grow in the middle of a desert with little water. They bend and flow with the wind and still remain standing. Their stems are strong.”

My finger moves over the stem thinking on his words.

“The stem looks like a weed to me,” It’s probably not the nicest thing to say. They’re pretty, I don’t mean that. It’s just once…couldn’t I be like something beautiful…instead of something less…

“Looks can be deceiving,” he says bringing his hand under my chin and pulling my eyes from the flower to his face. “You have your own beauty, hummingbird.”