They finally released me from the hospital after too many very long days. My side was still incredibly sore—especially after that knock-out punch. Nurse Fiona pushed me down into a wheelchair.
“This isn't really necessary, Nurse. I can walk out on my own.”
“Sorry darling, hospital rules.”
I didn't feel like arguing anymore. I let Nurse Fiona push me to the elevator and the doors closed in front of us.
“Still wished we could've finished that sponge bath.”
“Maybe next time,” Nurse Fiona replied, her hand rubbing my shoulder. She slipped me a scrap of paper with her number scratched on it.
I had hoped to say goodbye to Owen but he was nowhere to be found. One of the nurses told me he was operating on a patient. Always saving lives. I said a silent goodbye as Fiona pushed me outside. The fresh air reinvigorated me.
Dagger was standing outside in front of a nondescript white van. “They finally let you out of this prison, Ares?”
“Only because they were sick of giving me baths.” I used my arms to lift myself out of the wheelchair and to my feet. Standing on my own two legs felt good even though they worked like Jell-O. Dagger helped me into the van and I looked out at the entrance one last time, hoping to see Owen running out to me.
Why did this guy have such a hold on me?
So big deal, he doesn't want me. There's a million other men I can bed.
“Ares, are you even listening?” Dagger's voice brought me out of my daydream.
I shook my head of the cobwebs. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
“I was saying that Emily told me you could stay at the clubhouse until you're fully recovered.”
“That will help a lot right now.” The last thing I wanted was to go back to my broken down apartment.
I looked outside to see the Devil's Hellions MC coming into view. It was just an abandoned warehouse that was taken over and turned into our clubhouse. Dozens of Harley's were lined up in a row and bikers with leather cuts walked around holding beers.
I was finally home.
Dagger took my arm and helped me out. “Don't get any ideas, Ares. I'm not going to be your nurse.”
“Damn, I was hoping to get a sponge bath from you.”
Dagger laughed and slapped me on the back. “It's good to have you back, Ares.”
I released a heavy breath and looked up at the Devil's Hellions sign. I never wanted to be stabbed again. “It's good to be back.”
Dagger opened the door and waiting inside was the entire MC and all my friends. A banner waved above that stated: Welcome Home Ares. Black balloons and streamers decorated every possible inch of the clubhouse. The bar was fully stocked with booze and tons of people around.
Everyone started clapping and cheering. I waved my hands to get them all to stop. It felt like I was a war hero coming home. “Please everyone. I didn't do anything. Being stupid and getting stabbed in the back shouldn't warrant this.”
Emily came through the crowd and kissed me on the cheek. “We're just glad to have you back home, hun.”
“Thank you, Emily.”
“I went over to your place and got some clean clothes for you. I put everything in the spare bedroom upstairs. If you need anything, just ask.”
I gave her a big hug. “Thank you again.”
Big Mike came rushing over to me, juggling two pints of beer. The light brew spilled over the top and dripped all over his feet. “I bet you've missed this,” he said, handing me a glass.
“You have no idea, Mike.” I took a sip and let the beer run down my throat. “Damn that tastes good.”
Pain came over and cornered me. “Welcome back, Ares.” He gave me a quick hug and patted me on the back.
“Thank you, Prez.”
“Come into the meeting room. We need to talk about something.”
Pain led me through the crowd until we were behind closed doors. Our little meeting room was just a wood table with a bunch of seats surrounding it. Someday we'd get a nice devil carved into it. I waited for Pain to start talking. What could he possibly want to talk about right when I got back?
“I know what you're feeling, Ares.”
He does?
Pain sat down at the head of the table where the President belonged. He motioned for me to sit down next to him. I'd never sat in the Vice President spot before. It felt good. Someday, King. Pain continued, “Many members have gone through this before. That boiling emotion you feel inside.”
Was he talking about Owen?
Pain pulled out a small box with a bow on top. “I know you feel that need for vengeance but we couldn't wait.”
I looked up at him confused. Then it all connected. He's talking about the guy from the bar—the one that stabbed me. I opened the box and found an index and middle finger placed neatly on a bed of velvet. The ends were covered in dry blood. It looked like they had been snipped them off with garden shears—probably while he was still alive.
“Thank you for this, Pain.” I closed the box and set it down. Ever since I met Owen, I had totally forgotten about the need for revenge. I hadn't thought about the man who stabbed me once since I woke up in the hospital.
“That motherfucker won't be roaming the streets any longer. Don't worry we made him pay.”
I hugged Pain again. He was like a father to me. I never wanted to disappoint him.
Pain lit up. “We have one more surprise for you.”
“Seriously, you guys didn't have to go through all this.”
“We need this more than you do, Ares. We thought we almost lost you in the operating room. Emily sobbed the entire time.”
Shit. I imagined Emily crying uncontrollably and everyone trying to console her. I didn't even think about that. I never wanted to make her cry again. These people were my family and they almost lost me. “So what's that surprise you mentioned?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.
Pain opened the door and Slade walked in with a manly redhead at his side. His arms were covered in tattoos and wife-beater barely contained his giant pecs. He looked vaguely familiar.
“I think this guy wants to talk to you,” Slade said. He couldn't help but grin as he handed him over to me.
I looked the man in the eyes and finally remembered. Oh fuck! This was the one from the bar. The guy I got stabbed over. He was handsome-as-hell but not get-stabbed-and-almost-die handsome.
“My name's Marvin,” he announced, holding out his big hand.
“Nice to finally meet you. I'm Ares.” I grabbed his hand and felt nothing. No spark. Nothing. He was just like every other hot piece of ass I'd been with. That didn't mean I couldn't have some fun with him.
I deserved it after all that cock-teasing with Owen. It would be nice to bend him over and fuck him hard. “Want to go up to my room?” I asked.
Marvin flushed. He was already melting in my hands. I led him through the cheering crowd and upstairs. His lips were on mine before we could even get to the room. I felt up barrel arms as we made our way to the bed. I shoved him down and undid my belt buckle. My hardness pressed against the inside of my pants.
“I've been thinking about you ever since that night at the bar,” he said, sucking on his finger. “The way you took care of my ex-boyfriend made me so hard. I need that big cock of yours inside me.”
The thought of being with Owen entered my mind.
What was he doing here? Didn't he know I was busy?
I shook him away and focused on Marvin. He tore off his wife beater and tossed it to the side. I pulled my pants down and jumped on top of him running my tongue along his neck.
But it all felt wrong. This wasn't turning me on. My cock was barely hard. What the fuck was happening to me? I let go of him and stood up. “I'm sorry, Marvin. I can't do this.”
“What are you talking about? You're locked and loaded.” His hand reached down to my crotch and felt my now flaccid penis. He was shocked when he realized I didn't have an erection. He wasn't used to seeing that. Fuck, it never happened to me before.
“You can leave now,” I said in a defeated tone.
“Maybe if I just rev you up a little.” He began stroking me but it did nothing.
I pulled his hands away. “Just get out of here.”
Marvin rolled off the bed and grabbed his shirt. “I'm going to find a real man that can get it up.”
“Fuck you,” I yelled. I grabbed the closest thing—a shoe—and tossed it at the door, slamming it shut behind him. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't get Owen out of my skull. This never happened to me before. A light bulb flicked on in my head. It wasn't Owen...it was the painkillers. That's the reason I couldn't get hard.
I lay on the bed with the flannel sheets and rested against the pillow. I was going to have to quit the painkillers the next time I wanted to get my dick fucked. I imagined Owen naked on top of me, riding my cock, rocking his hips back and forth. My cock grew erect.
Dammit.