Chapter Five

 

It was time for her to go home three days after waking up, and Natalie had finally looked in the mirror and winced. She looked a mess, and couldn’t believe that not only had Slash been so attentive, he’d not even seemed to notice that her face was messed up.

“I’m ugly,” she said.

“You could never be ugly. Now stop being a big baby and put a beautiful smile on that face. No one wants to see a miserable bitch,” Slash said.

He picked up her bags, and took her hand, pulling her against him. She didn’t fight him, wrapping her arms around his waist and staring up into his eyes.

She didn’t deserve this man. Even after all this time, he was there, at the hospital with her. He was the first man to offer to take her home, and the only one she trusted right now.

“The bruises will fade in time. They’re already fading, and it won’t be long before I can see both of those beautiful eyes that you try to keep hidden.”

She chuckled. “I don’t try to keep them hidden.”

“You’ve always got your head in a book, or sketching. I rarely get to see those eyes.”

She’d change that.

“Come on, let’s take you home.” She kept hold of his hand as they made their way out of the hospital. No one stopped them. According to one of the nurses, the club had taken care of all of her medical bills, so she didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Even though she ached all over, she was glad to be going home. Slash put her bag in the back, and she lowered herself into the car, trying not to jolt or shock anything with any kind of force.

He climbed behind the wheel and started up the car.

“I don’t suppose we can take it easy heading home? I don’t think I’m going to be such a great passenger,” she said.

“Ah, no problem at all, babe,” he said.

They pulled out of the hospital, and there was that customary speed bump. He went over it so slowly that several cars beeped at him. She closed her eyes, but Slash wouldn’t be budged as he moved over it. There was no pain at all, and she looked toward him. “Thank you.”

“All you’ve got to do is ask and you shall receive. Here. You’ll be wanting this.” He handed her cell phone over to her.

Opening it up, she saw several missed calls and messages from Lucius.

Dialing his number, she waited.

“It’s about time you called me,” Lucius said.

“Thank you for the gifts. They were really sweet.”

“It’s the least I could do. Do they have any idea yet who did that to you?” he asked.

“Nope. No idea.”

“Do you need me to come back?”

She looked toward Slash. “No, I’m okay here. Unless you’re ready to come back.”

“I’m not coming back to Piston County, Natalie.”

“You’re not. What about Roxy?”

“I can’t come back.”

She nodded. “I get it.”

“I’m really pleased you’re well, sweetheart. You’re too sweet to be in any kind of pain.”

She chuckled. “I don’t know about sweet.”

“I tell you what, I know who I’ve got my money on winning your hand, and it’s the man right beside you. Slash deserves you. He loves you, honey. I saw it when I came to visit. Butler’s nowhere to be seen. He doesn’t deserve you. Any guy that really wants you is there for you, no matter what.”

She gritted her teeth, refusing to cry right now. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Just think about it. Also, start carrying around a gun. It’s time you learned how to shoot.”

“I already know.”

“You do?”

“My dad made sure I knew how to shoot a shotgun, Lucius. I can take care of myself.”

“Well, now, you better tell Slash to keep you because otherwise screw them, you’re mine.”

This time, she giggled. “Goodbye, Lucius.”

“Goodbye.”

She hung up the phone.

“Do I need to worry about you shooting my ass or something?” Slash asked.

“Nah. Lucius said it was time for me to learn to shoot, but I already know how. I used to have to use Daddy’s shotgun often. He used it to go out into the fields to scare the birds away from the feed. It never really worked, and I could never shoot them either.” She shrugged. “I don’t like hurting anything.”

“Did he say anything else?” he asked.

She rested her head in her hand and glanced over at him. “That I should pick you.”

Once again Slash smiled. “See, I knew there was a reason why I liked him.”

“He also said that you’re on a countdown if you don’t win me yourself because he’ll take me. I think he’s got a thing for women who can shoot guns.”

“Well, damn, that is hot. You do know how to shoot?”

“Yes, I do.”

Slash glanced over at her. “I think I’m safe from him.”

“Yeah, he’s not coming back to Piston County.”

“Do you ever think of leaving?”

“Sometimes. My memories here are not bad. It’s home, you know. My dad would want me to be taken care of.”

“The club will always take care of you, Natalie. Don’t ever doubt that.”

“I won’t. I love the club as well.”

They pulled into the main drive of Lexie and Devil’s house. She’d already caught sight of all the bikes and some of the cars.

“I think it’s safe to say this is the worst-kept surprise welcome home party,” he said. “Are you ready to go inside or would you like me to drive around a little more?”

She wanted him to drive around a little more, but she didn’t want to be rude. “Maybe take me driving a little later.”

“You’re on.”

He climbed out of the car and was by her side, helping her as she struggled not to wince or moan.

“I really do need to get a handle on this. I don’t want to get used to having someone help me get out of a car.”

“I’ll always be here to help you.” She put her arm through his, and maybe put a little too much weight on his arm as they made their way inside.

A full round of cheers went up, and she smiled as the club welcomed her home.

Devil, Lexie, and all the kids were there. Judi and Ripper, along with their two. Everywhere that she looked were Chaos Bleeds.

“We’re happy to have you home,” Lexie said, rushing toward her and pulling her in for a hug.

It was so unexpected the pain hit her quickly, and she winced.

“Shit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t … ugh, this is going to be hard.”

“Mom needs to put some money in the jar,” Simon said.

Lexie rolled her eyes, but left to go and put some money in the curse jar. Natalie laughed, and each person hugged her in a way that tried not to jar her body or hurt her in any way, which wasn’t easy. In fact, it was hard for them to do, but she dealt with it.

Gritting her teeth through most of it.

With Slash by her side, she could handle it.

He gave her strength.

Devil had already lit the grill, and food was cooking. She was told to just relax, and that she didn’t have to worry about taking care of the kids or anything.

Slash left her in the garden, and she watched as men and women talked. The kids were splashing around with Ripper and Judi in the pool, and everyone was just being one big happy family.

“Hey,” Butler said.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He did it in such a way that she wasn’t in any kind of pain.

“Hey.” There were no feelings. She cared about Butler. He was a friend, but those feelings weren’t there. “How have you been?”

“Taking care of business. I’ve spent a great deal of time with Lola. We’ve been going through the footage, trying to find anything that could identify the men that attacked.”

She nodded.

“So, I was wondering if you’d be willing to go out for a ride with me later,” Butler said.

Natalie stared at him, and shook her head. “No.”

“No?”

It was the first time she’d ever refused him, or a chance to go out for a ride. She loved the fresh air and getting away from life, but this wasn’t going to happen. Not between them.

“You and I both know that you don’t want me, Butler. We’re not meant to be. There’s someone else you want and it isn’t me.”

She wasn’t good with emotions, or at least speaking them. Working on a ranch surrounded by men, she’d only seen and heard how blunt they could be. She didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but she also didn’t see a reason to pretend that something was okay when it really wasn’t.

Butler laughed. “Okay.”

“We’re friends. That’s all we’ll ever be. This is not about being a sore loser or anything.”

“Slash was there?” he asked.

“It’s not just that. Slash was always there, Butler. You weren’t. You just allowed me to speak my mind without giving any input. I see that now. Slash, he wanted what’s best for me, and that’s okay. I don’t mind.”

When Slash had started coming around to the ranch, she’d often hide because she hated blushing. He was the first guy to make her blush and feel so damn young. It was only when her father didn’t give her much of a choice and she hung out with him, that her crush really began to form. Of course, that changed after her father died, but she was grieving, so her feelings for Slash didn’t seem all that important. She’d never known such pain and guilt. The ranch was her father’s dream.

She wanted to design.

Throughout all of it, Slash had been there, and now she realized he’d not been trying to manipulate her at all.

He’d been trying to help her so she didn’t make a decision she’d regret.

Slash walked toward her, holding a cup. “I thought you were thirsty.”

“I am.” She took the drink from him.

Going on a date, and getting beat up, had kickstarted her feelings, her own desires once again.

Either that, or she needed to see a doctor, which she doubted.

****

Slash didn’t leave her side other than to get her drinks and food. She spent most of it watching everyone, and he noticed that she did that often. Even before her attack, at a party in the clubhouse, she simply stood or sat watching everyone, rarely joining in.

It had taken him some time to figure out that she didn’t have the first clue how to join in. If she didn’t wince every couple of minutes, he’d have taken her to the pool, or danced with her. He stood by her side, and talked with everyone that came their way.

When she seemed to withdraw into herself, he put his arm around her back and kept her close, offering her the comfort of his own body.

After several hours passed, people began to leave, and he took Natalie to Devil, letting him know he was taking her for a ride.

“You sure you want to go for a ride?” Devil asked, which pissed him off, but one thing he would always say about his Prez, he was protective.

They’d not gotten to where they were today without him.

“I want to go with him.”

“Okay. Let us know if you’re going to be back late,” Devil said.

“Did you get the sense that he was treating you like a daughter?” Slash asked, opening her car door for her.

“He always does. It’s how he’d want someone to take care of his little girl. I wouldn’t take it personally. He’s just taking care.” She reached for the seat belt and winced. “I hate this. I hate feeling like each movement is on fire.”

He leaned forward, and buckled her seatbelt. “You’ll get better. You’re just going to have to learn to take help when it’s offered.”

She smiled. “And you’ll be the one doing the offering?”

“Hell, yeah. Of course.” He winked at her and she rolled her eyes, which made him laugh. Climbing behind the wheel, he pulled away from the house and started toward town. He wanted to take her to his place.

He’d purchased a rundown house on the outskirts of town in a small neighborhood. The yard was big, and when he first saw it, he’d wanted to fill it with kids, lots of them.

“I told Butler that I didn’t have any feelings for him other than being friends.”

He gripped the steering wheel even tighter. When he’d been getting them drinks, he’d caught sight of Butler talking to her. He’d had to stay still for a few minutes, and remind himself that it was a family gathering for Natalie, and Devil didn’t want him murdering a club brother in his garden.

“And?”

“We both know that I’m not the one Butler wants. We’re friends, and I don’t make him want to be a better man. I’m safe territory when it comes to him.”

“You don’t mind that?”

“Of course not. Butler was always safe as well.”

“You think only relationships work where the man wants to be better for the woman?” he asked.

“No. I just think that relationships are always better when both people want to try as hard as possible for the ones they love. Don’t you think that’s how it works?”

He thought about it, and in a way, yes. He wanted to be better for Natalie.

“Yeah, I do.”

She laughed. “You don’t have to keep agreeing with me.”

“I’m not. Say something I don’t agree with, I’ll even fight you for it.”

He loved hearing her laugh. It had been too long since she’d been relaxed enough in his company to let go, and he wasn’t going to mess it up now.

“I’ve missed this,” she said.

“What?”

“Being with you. Us talking.”

“My feelings for you haven’t changed.”

“I know, but now it doesn’t feel like I’m going to come between two brothers. I’m not like that. I don’t want you or Butler fighting, and besides, he’s not in love with me. He cares about me, and that’s about it.” She shrugged. “And no, before you even think to ask, I don’t care that he’s not in love with me.”

He wasn’t going to argue with that. Butler was out of the running, and he’d have gladly ended the fucker’s life, but he was also a club brother. Dick had survived this long, and he was a total asshole. Butler wasn’t anything like him. He’d been competition, and now he wasn’t.

Pulling up into the long drive, he parked the car and stared up at his home. It needed a lot of work.

“You bought this?”

“It was going at auction. I didn’t pay all that much. No one else wanted it,” he said.

“Erm, Slash, it’s falling down.”

“I’ve had several building contractors out. It’s structurally sound. It just hasn’t been taken care of for a long time, so it has fallen into disrepair. Nothing a bit of love and a lot of work won’t fix. I’m part of a club, and they’ll help.”

He climbed out of the car and went to her side, opening the door and easing her out.

The land was big, and every time he was here, he imagined lighting up the grill, kids running around. The club staying, maybe pitching some tents so they could enjoy a drink.

Natalie linked her arm with his, and they made their way inside the home. He’d already had several locks installed.

“The outside needs some serious paintwork, and several of the boards are missing.”

“I don’t know if I’ve told you this before, but I’m pretty good with my hands.”

“Nope, I don’t think you’ve ever said anything,” she said, laughing.

Opening the door, he reached in, flicking on the light. There were walls missing, but the electricity was sound. He’d already had all the relevant people out to check everything over. He didn’t want to show Natalie around a place that could be damaged, or put her life at risk.

“Wow, this place is huge.”

“Now close your eyes, and just imagine what a bit of time and love could do to this place.”

She closed her eyes like he asked her, and he watched as her mouth opened slightly, seconds later so did her eyes. “Wow. This is like a blank canvas.”

“We can do whatever we want with this place. I know some people would love to have a pre-made place. But this, come on, Natalie, see the potential here.” He moved away from the door, through to the sitting room. “A huge television here, and there’s even space for a fire so during those cold winter months you can snuggle up in front of it.” He took her hand, being careful as he led her through to the large dining room. “The guys and all the old ladies around here for Christmas. I know Lexie is getting tired of the constant cooking and cleanup, and not everyone wants to spend it at the clubhouse.” Next, he led her through to the large kitchen. “It needs to have everything installed, I get that, but look at it, Nat. We’ve not even gotten upstairs yet.”

“Why haven’t you started on it? I see your excitement, and this place is going to take some time to get up to code.”

He took her hand, pressing kisses against her knuckles. “I want you to help me. I want you to design this house exactly how you see it being.”

“Slash?”

“I trust you, okay. I know you won’t do something garish with it. Your clothes are amazing.”

“They’re clothes.”

“You’re telling me you’re not up to the challenge of making this place perfect?” He waited, and he saw her caving.

“I’ll do it.”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to need a lot of help, though.”

“I don’t care.”

“You’re sure you trust me with this?”

He cupped her face, careful as he did so. Her face was still badly bruised. “If I didn’t trust you, Natalie, you wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t have asked. You can do this. Take photos and it can be in your file thing that I’ve seen.”

“My portfolio?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Okay, fine, you’ve got yourself a deal.”

She rubbed her hands together. “What cost are we talking?”

“Money is not a problem, but I have one condition,” he said.

“What is it?”

“I want you to make this home as if it was your own. This is your project, your home, and your dream place to live.” He held his hand up when she wanted to protest. “I’m the boss here, missy. You’ll do as I say.”

She rolled her eyes, which he adored. She always looked so cute when she did it. “I want to get started right away.”

“I don’t mind.”

This was a project he hoped would inspire her, but also bring them both together.