Chapter Four

 

Natalie hadn’t woken up yet, and Slash continued to stare at her. He ignored the nurses and doctors who came in to take care of her. Lexie came in with Simon in tow, to drop him off some food, and a coffee.

Simon took the spare seat. “She’ll be okay,” he said.

“We know, honey.” Lexie rubbed his hair, and Simon pulled out of her grip and pushed his hair in a different direction.

Slash smiled.

“You okay?” Lexie asked.

“I will be. She’s stable, and there’s no change. She has brain activity, so the doctors think her body is just trying to repair itself, and I shouldn’t worry.”

“You wouldn’t be you unless you worried,” Lexie said. “She’ll pull through.”

He watched as Simon grabbed Natalie’s hand.

“Come on, son, we’ve got to go.”

“But it’s a Saturday. I can stay here with her.”

“No, let’s leave Slash alone with his woman.”

“Is she yours?” Simon asked. “You’re going to claim her for like real now, not pretend?”

Slash smiled. “She was always mine, Simon. She just didn’t know it yet.”

“She wants a man who knows how to be the handsome prince, and who can protect her.”

He frowned. “What?”

“I heard her say it to Elizabeth. They were talking after my sister read some weird book about a sparkling vampire. How she wanted a boyfriend to be nice and everything, and Natalie said that having a good guy is great, and you want a good guy, but you also need to have a guy who knows what he wants, and is not afraid to get it. I thought you should know.” Simon waved goodbye and Lexie shrugged.

Sitting forward, he reached out and moved some of her hair off her face. “You want a biker, baby?” he asked. He could live with that. Being a gentleman and a bad boy.

He sat there for several more minutes until he heard a throat clearing.

Butler stood inside the door. He held a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m not here to cause problems.”

“Then why are you here?” Slash asked.

“Can we have a truce?”

“Can you stop pretending that you want her? She’s not yours, Butler, she never has been.”

“I like her.”

“I love her.”

Butler sighed. “Look, I enjoy being around her, okay. You’re always too gentle with her, and you never really listened.”

“I listened.”

“Then why did you make her feel guilty for wanting to sell the ranch?”

He had nothing else to say, and gritted his teeth. He didn’t mean to make her feel guilty. When she mentioned it, he thought it was the grief talking, and he didn’t want her to do something that would hurt her later on.

The club had the ranch, and she was taken care of. He’d seen her happier than ever before. Making her keep the ranch was a bad idea.

“Why are you here?” Slash asked.

“Believe it or not, I do like her.” Butler held his hands up. “I don’t love her, and I’m not going to even pretend that I do. I care about her, and she’s a nice woman, and I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, okay. I thought … I thought I wanted her, but last night, yeah, it’s not going to happen, and I don’t want to hurt her, but she doesn’t inspire me like that. I don’t think about her in that kind of way.” Butler placed the flowers on the counter. “You shouldn’t keep her at arm’s length though. I’ve seen some of her more erotic sketches that she’s done. I stole her book, and looked at them. Natalie wants passion in her life, she just doesn’t know how to get it.”

“When she wakes up, I’m not backing down.”

“You shouldn’t.”

Butler left them alone, and Slash stared at his woman. The bruising had come out now, and one of her eyes was swollen shut. He didn’t even need to have her eyes open to see that.

“I’m not going to let you out of my sight again.” He grabbed her hand, resting his head against her fingers, and he actually prayed for her to wake up.

Time passed, and the sounds of the hospital seemed to fade as he just allowed himself to be with Natalie.

If she didn’t make it, he didn’t know what he’d do. He couldn’t think straight, nor did he want to.

“You can’t die,” he said.

There was a knock on the door, and he looked up and frowned. Lucius, from the Nomad Chapter, who had kissed her, stood in the doorway. He held an art book and pens in his hands.

“What are you doing here?” Slash asked.

“Natalie told me she had a date. When I didn’t hear anything, I called Devil. He told me what happened.”

He was aware that Natalie and Lucius had been texting. Before Roxy died, Natalie had gotten close to the other woman, and he knew she’d asked her to keep in touch with Lucius, to make sure he wasn’t alone.

They were friends.

There had never been any feelings between the two, even though Lucius had kissed her, but he’d done that to start a fight.

“That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.”

“Making sure she’s okay.” Lucius glanced down at his gifts. “Roxy…” His voice broke, and he cleared it. “Roxy really liked her.”

“Does Devil know you’re here?”

“Knowing Devil, he does. Have I gone to see him? No.”

“Why not?”

“There’s no point.”

“Have you ever thought about settling down in one place?” Slash asked.

“Nope. I’m not that kind of guy. I’ll never settle down in one place, and I have no intention of starting it now.” Lucius placed his gifts on the small table where everyone seemed to want to place their stuff. “When she wakes up, tell her thanks.”

Lucius didn’t wait around, and within seconds he was gone.

Slash sat back, and rubbed at his eyes. He understood that Lucius was in pain. Losing someone close to you would have that effect on a person, and once again, his attention was brought right back to the woman on the hospital bed.

He wouldn’t survive losing her. There was no doubt about it in his mind. She was everything to him, and when she got out of this hospital bed, he was done playing around. Butler could go and fuck himself. He was done playing nice.

Natalie belonged to him, and it was about time she realized it.

****

“There’s still no change?” Lexie asked. She held her empty cup. Hot chocolate always had a way of soothing her problems, but not right now. Natalie being in a coma was really upsetting. They’d all gotten attached to the little designer. She was their family, even if she didn’t realize it herself.

“No, still no fucking change,” Devil said. He removed his leather jacket and placed it on the back of the sofa.

“Did you go to the Sheriff?”

“Yep, and it would appear there have been several break-ins and beatings going up and down this town, and across several of them.”

“You don’t think this is a hit out on the club?” Lexie asked.

“Nope. Talking with the good old Sheriff, it would seem there’s a group of men trying to make a name for themselves. They can’t be sure if it’s youths or older. Either way, I catch up to them, and they’re going to be in for some really harsh fucking reality.”

She was used to her husband talking about killing people. She knew he did it, too. Even though he took lives, she still loved him. Rarely did Devil take the lives of the innocent. She smiled, thinking about his name and how apt it was. He was judge, juror, and executioner. Anything that touched his family or the club had to go through him.

“What’s that smile on your lips?” he asked, moving toward the sofa.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m thinking about Natalie.” It wasn’t a total lie.

“She’s got to pull through,” Devil said.

“If she doesn’t?”

“We’ll have another brother go off the rails. Speaking of, Lucius made it into town today. He dropped some gifts off for Natalie and left.”

“So he’s alive.”

“Yeah, he’s alive. Not looking good, according to Slash. At least he didn’t try and get himself killed this time.” He stroked her arm and she closed her eyes.

“You always take care of everything.”

“It’s what a Prez does. I should have known I’d end up a dad sooner or later. I’m one to a bunch of boys refusing to grow up.”

She chuckled. “The club adores you, and you love it. You love being the big old daddy.” She gave a little squeal as he moved her so that she was straddling his lap.

“I know what I like to be a whole lot more than just a daddy.”

“Oh, yeah, and what’s that?”

“Balls deep inside you.”

****

Dear Tabitha,

It’s me again, and I miss you. I hope you get these letters and your dad isn’t throwing them in the trash. Hey, Tiny and Eva, if you are. So, shit has hit the fan again. Natalie got beat up, and I saw her. She looks really, really bad. Her face is all bruised up as if she’s been punched, and the doctors are all worried. So is my dad. We all like her. She doesn’t talk all that much, Natalie. She listens, draws, and cooks. That’s about it. Slash loves her completely, you know. Totally, one hundred percent loves her.

Not a lot is happening right now. I’m going to school, and I hate history. It’s so boring learning about the past. What is the point of it? We know what’s already happened. Move on already. I want to know what is happening today, and they don’t talk about any of the MC either. MC is totally in my blood, and you should know. It’s in yours.

There are times I hate writing. I always have so many questions, and I have to wait for the answers, or what you have to say. I don’t know when I’ll get to send this letter. I love writing because it gives me something to do. See, I’m a total weirdo, but if you tell anyone I said that I’ll deny it.

So here are my questions.

Have you missed me?

Did you have a fun vacation in Vegas?

What’s your favorite topic in school?

Do you like going to school?

What’s happening over there?

Do you have any questions for me?

Short and sweet.

Take care, Tabby.

Love, your Simon.

****

“You stink,” Jessica said, moving to open a window.

It had been five days since Natalie was brought in, and Slash didn’t want to leave her side or miss a moment with her. He didn’t give a shit how he smelled or what the fuck was going on in the world. Natalie hadn’t gotten worse, nor had she gotten better. The bruising had all come out, and at least with her asleep, she wasn’t in any kind of pain. They gave her some morphine, and it was starting to really get to Slash that she wasn’t waking up.

“Then leave.”

“What is wrong with taking five minutes to have a bath or even a shower? Do you even deodorize?”

“I’m not leaving Natalie.”

“I’ll be here. I won’t move from this spot.”

“If you get called away.”

“I can phone someone from the club,” Jessica said.

“Not happening. I’m not going to risk it.”

“What exactly are you risking?”

“I want to be here when she wakes up, Jessica. If I stink, I don’t care, so long as she sees that she’s not alone. I’m not going to risk her being hurt because no one turned up. It’s just … it’s not happening.”

“Okay,” she said. She held her hands up. “I was just thinking she’d wake up a lot sooner if the smell wasn’t so bad.”

Sitting back, Slash glared at her. “Why does Snake put up with you?”

“Because I’m awesome, and he’s very much aware of that.”

“I call bullshit.”

She burst out laughing. “You would because you don’t understand awesome.” She stopped by the door, arms folded, looking so happy with herself. “I never thought I’d see the day Slash would fall for a woman.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on, Slash, you’ve been one of the biggest man-whores I’ve ever known. Whenever there was free pussy, you were all over that. Now look at you. You’d rather sit stinking than leave your woman.” Jessica’s gaze landed on the bed, and her face froze. “And doesn’t your woman have the prettiest eyes you’ve ever seen.”

He looked at Natalie, and he saw at least one eye was open. She seemed confused at first, and as the seconds passed, she began to panic, realizing she’d been hooked up to several machines.

“It’s okay,” he said. There was a tube in her mouth to assist with her breathing, and Jessica was there as she was a nurse at the hospital, helping to take it out. She clicked a button, and it wasn’t long before several nurses and doctors were in the room. Slash didn’t leave, and watched as Natalie was brought up to speed on everything that had happened.

She was given some water to help rehydrate her, and he stood back, so fucking happy that she was alive. There was always that risk, he knew, of her falling under and never coming back.

Finally, as the doctors filed out, Jessica let him know that she’d call Devil and give him the heads up. The hospital would alert the Sheriff, and he’d be there in no time with his questions.

“Slash,” Natalie said.

She tried to sit up, and he quickly moved to her side, and helped her. “Easy.”

“I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus, and it backed up, going over me again.” He cupped her cheek, and she smiled. “You stayed with me?”

“Do you really think there would be anywhere else I’d want to go?”

“I don’t know.”

Her voice was scratchy, and he held the drink in front of her, getting her to sip through the straw. She stopped and leaned back.

“Do you remember anything?” he asked.

“I was with John, and then we were surrounded by a bunch of men, and they were goading each other. They started to hit John, and I tried to stop them, and they began to hit me. Nothing … nothing happened, did it?”

“You weren’t raped.” He took hold of her hand and pressed a kiss to it.

“I think I passed out from the pain.”

“Someone called for help, and it stopped them.”

“I’ve been such a pain in the ass,” she said.

“Don’t even for a second think that we’re upset about being here for you. You’re part of us, Natalie. We love you, and we’ll take care of you. Whoever did this to you better pray the cops find them first.”

“You shouldn’t be saying stuff like that,” she said. “What if people hear you?”

“I don’t give a fuck who hears me. I get my hands on them, they’re going to wish they’d never laid eyes on you.”

She glanced around the room. “There are so many flowers.”

“All for you. Lucius stopped by. He said thank you for everything.” He pointed to the gifts. “He brought you those.”

“Will you call him? Tell him I’m alive and awake.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

She leaned in a little closer. “Could you also take a shower? I don’t mean to be offensive, but you do stink a bit.”

“Were you listening to Jessica tell me what to do?”

“Was she telling you to take a shower?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should thank her. I heard what she was telling you.”

Slash chuckled, leaning in close and kissing her head. “Your wish is my command.” He stroked her cheek, and she wrinkled her nose. “I’m going. I’m going. It’s good to have you back.”

****

Even though she was in agony, Natalie was happy. She’d spoken to the Sheriff, who had already gotten a statement from John. He wasn’t in the hospital anymore, but from what she’d been told, he was with the club. She didn’t even want to think why the club was holding John. What happened wasn’t his fault.

Slash returned from taking a shower, and the musty smell had disappeared from the room. He looked a million times better, and he was also smiling. She loved his smile. It brightened his entire face, and made her melt, seeing him.

He sat in his chair, and when the food came around, the nurses brought them extra so he could have some.

Natalie was shocked by the sudden flash of jealousy that rushed through her as the nurses flirted with him. She’d never been jealous before, not that she could ever remember, and she didn’t want him looking to them for anything.

She took a bite of the mashed potatoes, and wrinkled her nose. They weren’t that good. Slash dug in, taking a healthy portion.

“You haven’t asked about Butler,” he said.

She paused with the fork poised against her lips. “What?”

“I thought you’d ask about him?”

“Why?”

“You know, him having feelings for you and all.”

And once again she felt uncomfortable.

“We all know that Butler doesn’t have true feelings for Natalie. He cares about you, sweetie, but that’s about it. You know that.”

“Hey, Devil,” she said, smiling.

He stood in the doorway of her hospital room. “You gave us a fright.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. You really do need to stop apologizing because you really, really don’t need to.” Devil entered the room. “Lexie wanted to come, and she said as soon as you’re well enough, girl’s night. She’s already picked the movie and invited Judi. I get to take care of the kids while you do.” He sat down in the spare seat.

“I miss her, too.”

Devil eased back and stared at her. “Did you know any of them?”

“No. They were just … it was like they wanted a fight. John was there, and he tried to handle them. He gave them what money he had, and they just started hitting him. They were in a group. I didn’t count them or anything.”

“Then they started to hit you?”

“Yes.”

Devil shook his head. “What were they wearing?”

“Hoodies. They looked like kids, but they could have been college age, I’m not sure. I didn’t even see their faces. They just kept shouting to hit and hit harder. To make it hurt.” She paused, recalling the shouts along with the screams.

Slash caught her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Until we find the ones responsible, you’ll have a guard at your side. One of the brothers will be with you, and I don’t want arguments. All of the old ladies are getting them.”

“You think this has to do with the club?” Slash asked.

“Nope. I think this is a bunch of kids who think they’re all big and tough. I want to find them, and with a man with each of the women, I’ve got a bigger chance. All of my contacts are on the lookout as well. I’ve also got Lola going through security footage, and different cameras. She’s trying to find the one near your car that night. A lot of cameras are around Piston County.”

He leaned across the bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It reminded her of what her father would often do when she wasn’t well. “Take care.”

She watched him leave and turned toward Slash. “Is Butler here?”

“What?”

“Is he? Is he sitting beside you right now, waiting to see if I’m okay?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then don’t bring him up. Don’t keep mentioning him.”

From the moment the men had started to hurt John and then herself, she’d been thinking of Slash. Hoping he’d been close, but knowing it was hopeless to think that he was. She stared at him as he finished off his yogurt.

Hospital food was disgusting, and yet he didn’t complain.

Whenever she was around Slash, he always made her feel so many different things. Butler, he was her friend, and right now, she felt like she’d been opened up and exposed. She’d been able to keep them at arm’s length, but now she didn’t know what to do. Slash was here, and she hadn’t been disappointed to find him waiting.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“A woman can never tell her secrets.”

He laughed. “You can tell me your secrets any time.”

“I don’t think I should have gone on that date.”

“I wish you hadn’t, but there’s nothing you can do about that now.”

“I never wanted to hurt you,” she said. “I don’t want to come between club brothers.”

He touched her hand once again.

The moment he touched her skin, she felt like she was on fire for all the right reasons. She loved his touch and couldn’t get enough of it.

“You won’t.” They stared at each other for the longest time, neither of them saying anything more. “Eat your food. You’ll need your strength.”