I hurt too badly to even think aboutdatingMcKelle. I didn’t want to think about her with Cruz, but I’d seen them together enough to know that she had undeniable chemistry with him.
My brows furrowed. “Where’s your cut?” His patch meant more than anything…or anyone.
“We have a lot to talk about, but not here.”
Romeo paused in the threshold to the bathroom. “This was all I could find.” He held a pair of dirty sweats.
“Anything is good.” I stumbled as I stepped over the tub trying to avoid the bloody mess the dead guy made on the floor. Cruz was instantly at my side, gently bracing me with an arm around my waist and blocking my body from Romeo.
I’d pissed in front of Kings since they’d stripped me and tied me up, and I’d pissed in front of my pervert PO for months, but I was grateful Cruz gave me cover. What did that say aboutus?
Romeo handed Cruz the sweats. “Rogue and Bullet are on their way with the hearse.”
I smiled but my lips were swollen. The skin stretched and burned. “Did you tell them I’m not dead yet?”
“Yeah, but there’s a dead King on the floor at your feet, another one out in the living room, and a couple more who aren’t dead yet but that doesn’t mean they won’t be in the next few minutes.” Romeo walked away, and Cruz kept a grip on me as I stepped over the dead dude and leaned against the sink vanity.
Cruz glanced around the filthy room. “Looks like we’re going to drip dry.” He rang the water from his shirt twice, twisting until he couldn’t squeeze out another drop. He held the shirt out to me. “Do you want to wear this?”
I did. I felt exposed and weak. I’d had my ass handed to me. “I don’t think I can lift my arms yet.” At least not over my head. I was barely able to stand on my legs.
“Okay,” he softly said. “I’ll try not to hurt you.” He tugged the wet shirt over my head and stretched the fabric for my arms.
“Fuck.” I grimaced against the searing pain ripping through my shoulder, ricocheting through my ribs and surging back into my chest until I had both arms through the armholes.
“Brace one hand on me and one on the wall.” Cruz dropped to a squat in front of me.
I froze. I’d never had another guy this close to my dick. He gathered the sweat pantleg at the cuff and held it for me to step into.
I still hadn’t moved. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my chilled skin. I had one hand on the wall but hadn’t put my other on Cruz.
He lifted his gaze. I assumed to figure out why I hadn’t taken a breath nor moved my foot off the floor.
“Only thing going on here is between you and me.” He stared hard into my eyes. “You need help, Rizz. I’ve got you.” He released a heavy exhale. “I know I’ve been a dick. I wanted to hate you because it pisses me off that you got something with McKelle that I don’t. This isn’t sexual, so put your hand on my shoulder and let me help you get dressed, so I can get you home.”
I braced myself, caught my balance, and lifted one foot. Once I had a foot in each leg, Cruz pulled the sweats up my legs until they sat low on my hips.
Home?“Cruz, I can’t go back to the halfway house. Kings have been coming and going from here all day. It’s the neighborhood pharmacy. Kings know I’m here, and they’ll know where to find me when they realize I’m gone.” I glanced at the guy on the floor. “I’m dead when they do.”
“Home is the MC. You can stay with me until Pike’s room opens up.”
A lump rose into my throat. “Why are you doing this?” I whispered. “Why do you care?”
Cruz stilled and the moment thickened with tension. “I want to say it’s because of McKelle. Only it’s not just her. It’s not the Hellers either. Although, this right here with Romeo and Dozer is what being part of the brotherhood is all about. They have your back and so will Rogue and Bullet.”
“I’m talking about us, Cruz. You, me, and McKelle.” I felt the bite of insecurity sinking her teeth into me. “I can handle a lot of shit.” My throat tightened. How did I trust him with my truth, when trusting the wrong people had always fucked me over? And it always hurt.
Cruz kept referring to anus, but I’d never been an us with anyone. It had always just been me, and I didn’t want to fall hard for McKelle to be crushed under the weight of her and Cruz’s relationship.
“If you’re stringing me along just to fuck me over—”
“I’m not,” he interrupted. “And McKelle wouldn’t play that way. Don’t hurt her, Ryatt. I’ve hurt her enough.”
Dozer stepped into the room. “You ready? Rogue and Bullet are here with the hearse.”
Adrenaline hit my bloodstream. I’d rather take a beating off the Kings than face off against the VP of the Heller Raiders and Bullet.
“We’ll finish this conversation with McKelle,” Cruz said.
