“Jesus fuck,” the big burly man said. “He’s been to hell and back.”
King said nothing as his eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in every scar on my body, his hands clenching until they turned white. I didn’t know why it bothered him so much. I was pretty damn sure he had his own scars.
“Everyone, get out,” King snarled, as he barely hung onto his rage. When no one moved, he roared, “GET THE FUCK OUT!”
Nav, Cash and the other two men got up and filtered out of the room. When Patch went to grab his bag, King ordered, “Leave the fucking bag.”
Patch nodded and disappeared with the others, leaving me alone with King. Seconds passed before King got up and walked over to me, pulling out a chair next to me. Reaching for the bag,he dumped it over, spilling the contents. “Sit down before you fall down.”
“I can tend my own wounds, King.”
He glared at me.
I slowly sat.
Shaking his head, he reached toward me, carefully pulling the bandage from my shoulder, and sighed. “A bullet wound.”
I nodded.
“And your stomach?”
“The same.”
Reaching for fresh bandages, he asked, “What happened?”
“Same old shit. Wrong place at the wrong time.”
King growled.
“Fine.” I winced as he placed an alcohol swab against my shoulder. “After I found Yuri Nikitin and killed him, I went after associates of Black Odessa.”
“Why?”
“Because they are working with the Death Dogs and both want my woman.”
“You have a woman?” King asked, placing a clean bandage on my shoulder.
“Yeah. Karlyn Ingalls. She’s the sister of my brother Ink.”
He carefully removed the bandage across my stomach. “Stitches tore. Going to have to sew you back up. Tell me about your woman.”
“She’s perfect, King. Well, perfect for me. She hasn’t had the best life, and I promised her she would be safe no matter what. Now my past is coming for her.”
“This life isn’t easy...brother.” His voice was quiet as he threaded a needle. “Maybe it’s time you stepped away and took your woman with you. Still young enough to have a decent life.”
“Can’t do that, King,” I whispered. “This life is all I know.”
“Yeah, I guess we’re the same in that regard.” He smirked as a sly, conspiratorial grin crossed his face. “The second I put the cut on my back, I knew there was no other life for me. Declan hated it, but he didn’t stop me.”
“You’re lucky. You have blood. I’ve just got my brothers and Karlyn.”
King nodded but said nothing more as he stitched me up and then placed a clean bandage over the wound. Leaning back in his chair, he took a long, good look at me and sighed. “Stay as long as you need. I will handle Reaper. You need a few more days to let those wounds heal.”
Reaching for my shirt, I nodded. “Thanks, King. I appreciate it, and if there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.”
Gathering my cut, I headed for the door when King called out, “You can have the room Reaper was in last time you were here.”
“The one upstairs across from you?”
