Chapter 22

 

His fists collide with every surface of my body. Pain radiates through me like sharp stabs of a knife. Blood leaks from my head, down my face, clouding my vision. I’ll take it too; I’ll take every last bit of it to keep them safe.

“You ever think you’re lookin’ in the wrong place. Those pictures, I wasn’t there with her you idiot.” His fist collides with my jaw. The pissed off look of rage simmers in his eyes. It only serves to make me smile.

“You expect me to believe that you just like taking trips to the mall to see Santa?” His laughter grates on my nerves. Sorry-ass bastard.

“We have kids here. Why the hell not?” This punch to the stomach knocks the air from my lungs. I gasp and cough trying to catch my breath.

“Take him in!” My head jerks up to meet the bastard’s eyes. He knows what he’s doing, and I know this isn’t the end of the beating I’m about to take.

“On what charges?” Ghost hollers as he shoves off the floor, only to be hit in the back of the head and knocked back down.

“Don’t worry about his charges.” Anderson grits through his teeth.

“Call Jackson.” Jackson is the lawyer we have on hand for club issues.

“Start walking!” Shoving me toward the door, I know I’m in for one hell of a night tonight.

“We got this Dragon!” Devil hollers before I hear the laughter of the cops. I don’t miss the sound of the bones cracking either.

These motherfuckers are lucky Devil doesn’t turn into just that. 

Of course, I wasn’t put into a cell alone. Nope, they threw my ass in with a whole lot of rivals that want my head on a fucking platter. I haven’t slept in days. My ass has been handed to me over and over again. Her face keeps me going, though. I won’t let them break me. I’m barely hanging on when I hear the cell open.

“Move it, Jacobs.” Thank fuck! Shoving off the seat that I claimed as my own, I make my way over.

“Wait till you’re out. I got a surprise for you.” Winking with what good eye I have, I make a promise to these little punks. Blue Sky are nobodies to us. They are a bunch of little pricks that like to try to show out as an MC. Putting their hands on me just sealed their death warrant, as far as I’m concerned.

I follow the guard out to the front where I spot Ghost and Roc, with Jackson. They all glare at me before Jackson speaks.

“I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the condition my client was in when he was brought in here!” I like him. He’s a hard-ass that won’t take any shit, from anyone. The guard shrugs with a grin before shoving me toward them. Roc pulls me in first before Ghost moves in next.

“We got a list of names?” Ghost asks. Nodding, I know what he’s asking. He wants names of the assholes that did this shit to me.

“Good. We’ll get them handled,” Roc mumbles. As if he knows what I knew already.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.” Roc slaps a hand on my shoulder, leading me outside.

“Did you do what I told you?” My eyes meet Ghosts before he nods.

“Yeah, Santa fuckin’ came to the clubhouse and shit. Merry Fuckin’ Christmas.” He doesn’t sound too happy, but then again, this last week has been hell. 

***

No one was happy about the pit stop I made on the way back either.

I don’t give a shit. This is my first Christmas with Everleigh and Haylee, and I want to make it special.

“Doc’s waitin’ to check you over. You’re lucky the fucker likes to hang out with us more than his wife.” Roc chuckles as we pull into the parking lot. I asked them not to say anything to Ev, just in case the bastards didn’t let me leave.

“He always has. We’re some very hospitable motherfuckers,” I say. Ghost looks over his shoulder at me before laughing.

“She doin’ ok?” He knows who I’m asking about.

“She’s worried about you. Haylee asks when you’re comin’ back. Nessa talked to her.” Nodding once, it makes me feel good that they missed me.

“What about Ev? She take shit ok?” Roc shakes his head before turning the truck off.  He shifts in his seat to turn and face me.

“She cares, that much is obvious. She was afraid of what Luke would do to you,” he says, nodding toward my face, I can only imagine what that looks like. I know what the fuck it feels like, that’s for sure.

“Yeah, threw my ass in there with the fuckin’ Blue Sky. Can you believe that shit?” Ghosts mouth hangs open.

“Those bitches? How many in there?” I close my eyes, my head is pounding, and the world is still spinning.

“Twelve. I ain’t slept in days, brother. I feel like I’m about to fuckin’ explode.” Ghost nods, knowing how it is.

“Let’s get in, let Doc check you out. I’m sure he can give you somethin’ so you can rest.” That sounds like the best idea he’s ever had. 

The girl’s smile, seeing us walking toward the door. That is until they see me. Their mouths hang open, but I shake my head. I don’t want them scaring the kids or Everleigh. Roc holds the door as I step inside holding Haylee’s gift in my arms.

“Santa said someone wanted a puppy for Christmas.” The words come out, and Haylee’s head whips around to look at me. Her eyes widen, a smile crossing her face when she sees the puppy in my arms.

“It’s a puppy!” She screams, running toward me. I kneel down with a smile on my face as she grabs the little furball from me.

“Is he mine?” Tears fall out of her little eyes, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads.

“He’s all yours, sweetheart.” Setting him on the floor, she throws herself into my arms.

“Thank you, Dragon. I love you!” Her words pierce my heart.

“Love you too, sweetheart.” She pulls back picking up the puppy again.

I watch her as she runs around the room looking for her mom.

“Mom! Look what Dragon got me!” Her screams draw all the attention. We all watch her in amazement, but when Everleigh’s eyes come to meet mine, she pales.

Haylee has already moved on to show Devil, the puppy. It’s like everything is in slow motion. Ev moves toward me, my heart hammers in my chest. When I see the locket around her neck, I grin.  Yeah, I got her something special too. 

“What did he do to you?” Her tone is soft, like silk. Her hands come up to cup my face.

Her thumbs are running over every mark that was left on me. Shaking my head, I grab her wrists.

“We’re not doin’ this today. This is a good day, Ev. Let Haylee enjoy it.” Putting her hands down, she looks me in the eye.

“Merry Christmas, Dragon.” God, my heart wants to explode in my chest.  Gripping her around the back of her neck, I drag her lips to mine. I have missed the taste of her, the feel of her.

“Merry Christmas, darlin’.” Crushing her body against mine I don’t give a damn how bad it hurts. Knowing she’s ok and happy, is the only thing that matters to me at this point.

“I’m dead, Ev. I haven’t slept in days. I need a little while ok?” Pulling back she looks up at me, giving me a little nod.

“Nessa, is Haylee ok with you?” She asks her. I watch her questioningly. What is she doing now?

“Of Course, she is. We’ll play.” Ev smiles, wiping a tear from her cheek before grabbing my hand. We walk in silence down the hallway, toward the bedroom. Ev opens the door, ushering me inside.

“You should stay out there with her.” Reaching for the hem of my shirt, pain shoots through my body. Everleigh moves quickly, taking over my task. Pulling my shirt over my head, she gasps. Glancing down, I see exactly why, too. My body is covered in angry purple bruises.

“That bastard.” Mumbling under her breath, she walks away from me.  I shake my head with a half-smile as I finish stripping out of my clothes. I sit on the edge of the bed when she comes back with a wet rag.

“Let me clean your face up,” she says, and I don’t move. I sit there and let her clean me.  It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.

When Everleigh starts to cry as she wipes the dried blood from my face, I grasp her wrist.

“Ev, I love you.” Her tears spill over, running down her face.