Reign (Sin City Outlaws #1)(73)

“Doctor’s here,” Machete announces, heading back into my house with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Normally, I’d tell him there’s no smoking in here, but considering the things that have happened the last few hours… smoke is the least of my worries.

“Dr. Stein,” Zeek greets. “I need you to look at her neck for me, please.”

“Why, yes, of course, Zeek.”

A man with short brown hair sits on my coffee table. “Let’s see what we have here.” He sets a white doctor bag on the floor. He fingers my chin, his hands cold as ice. Pushing my chin upwards, he looks over the cut.

“It’s a pretty good cut, but it won’t need stitches. We’ll use a butterfly on it, and it’ll close it up nicely.”

He cleans it, which stings like a bitch, his tongue sliding back and forth over his bottom lip as he works. He then places the butterfly over it, pulling it closed. It’s very uncomfortable, to say the least.

“If it doesn’t stop bleeding, please call me. We might have to do stiches. Will you require any pain meds?” He pulls out a booklet.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Does she need it?” Zeek cuts in, standing behind the couch.

“Well, it could get uncomfortable in the next day or so. I would try some pain reliever, but if she thinks she’s okay then so be it. If it doesn’t work, though, you know where to find me.” Dr. Stein nods at Zeek then closes his bag and stands.

“Thank you for coming.” Zeek hands him a stack of cash, and my mouth pops open. “I need there to be complete discretion when it comes to this house call.” Zeek doesn’t ask, his tone of voice demands it.

“Yes, of course.” Dr. Stein takes the cash, and steps out.

Closing the door, Zeek blows out a tired breath.

“Where are the guys?”

“They cleaned up and left.” Huh, I didn’t even hear them leave. “You okay?” Swallowing hard, I nod slowly then shake my head, tears spilling from my eyes like a waterfall.

“I’m angry.” My words take me by surprise.

“Angry?”

I nod, my heart fluttering in my chest like a trapped bird.

“Angry ‘cause after seeing what I have the last few hours, I should hate you, be scared or mortified.” He steps to me, and I have to look up. “But I don’t, not even a little bit. I-I’m…” I stutter then stop, scared of the words that are about to slip from my mouth. Horrified the words hit me so hard, and that they are true.

“I’m f*cking insane!” I sob. “We barely even know each other, but I love you.” I shrug, tears spilling onto my lips.

He grabs my hand, pulling me up as I continue. “I was raised and trained to live by the code of the law. Yet, the things I was just a part of…” I pause, wiping my face and looking for the right words. “I’m not scared of what just happened. I’m scared because what just happened doesn’t affect me like it should.”

“You don’t realize the savage acts you’re capable of until you are backed into a corner. You just have to broaden your outlook on what’s right and wrong to find your place.”

My eyes well with new tears, his words holding so much meaning and truth behind them.

“What seems like chaos to the little girl is normal to the wolf.”

He wipes my tears away this time, his eyes fixated on them. It’s almost like he likes it when I cry.

“I love you, too,” he whispers, his lips brushing against mine, his tongue tasting my tears.

“What?” His words catch me off-guard.

“You heard me.” He nips at my bottom lip. “I may not be that guy every girl hopes to fall in love with. I’m rough, dark, and violent. But I f*cking love you, and that’s all that matters.” He grips my face, making me look into his eyes. “I don’t do anything soft, and I sure as hell won’t love you softly. I’ll love you hard, and unforgiving.”

Nodding, I swallow hard. He says he doesn’t love softly, but my whole body just melted for him. I wish he and I could run away, and just be us.

“I wish we never came back from our date. I just want to get lost in the desert, with Hershey Kisses.” I close my eyes, the alcohol making me say shit that makes no sense.

“I have one left.” He unwraps it and skims it across my bottom lip, hands that were covered in blood moments before now clean.

Parting my lips, I take the chocolate in. Before I can close my mouth around it, Zeek slams his against mine hard. As if he’s hungry, the violence of the night turning him on, my tears making him unstable.

I close my eyes and take it all in. The smell of him. The feel of his hands in my hair. The taste of chocolate and him filling my mouth. This, this is my escape from my racing thoughts. This is my remedy to my chaotic life. This… is why love is blind.

“Now, let’s go f*ck,” he whispers into my mouth.

My eyes pop open, and I stare at him like he’s lost his mind.

“Killing a guy and f*cking my girl in a bed. I can’t think of a better way to end a date.”





EIGHTEEN





JILLIAN


“I gotta go to the club. Stay home today.” Still half-asleep, I yawn and nod before drifting back to sleep once again.