“This fuckin’ guy is a pain in the ass.” Blood points to Diesel. “He was supposed to stay in the hospital another day, but no, he drives us all crazy till we go and break him out.”
“Yeah, then he’s moaning and groaning the whole ride here ‘cause I hit a few potholes with the Escalade,” Smoke adds. “Like a fuckin’ baby. Shit, you’d think he got his side slashed open or something.”
I get up, take Diesel’s arm, and lead him over to the couch. “You look very pale. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“We’re the ones who aren’t all right, after taking care of him.” Blood makes a beeline for the bar in the corner of the room and returns with shots of Jack Daniels and bottles of beer.
Diesel twists the cap off the beer and takes a healthy swig.
“Should you be drinking?” I ask.
“I’m thinking the beer should mix very nicely with the pain meds.”
I roll my eyes, and Blood laughs. “Believe me, after takingcare of him for a few days, you’re the one who’s gonna need the pain meds.”
“Bite me.” Diesel throws him the middle finger. “I’ll be back in the gym whipping your ass before you know it.”
Smoke raises his shot glass. “Here’s to all of us coming out of that shit-show alive.”
We raise our drinks and toast.
Then Marisol adds, “Here’s to the Harlots, who came up with an ingenious plan, took care of business our own way, and to our newest sister, Martina, who charged in to help us.”
We lift our glasses and toast again.
Smoke and Blood finish off their whiskey, then Smoke nods to the others. “Let’s head out so our Enforcer can get some rest.”
I hug the women, but in truth I’m nervous about being alone with Diesel. After sneaking off three days ago and getting caught in a gunfight, we never had a chance to talk things out. I have no idea where I stand, or even where I want to stand when it comes to us. If there even is an us.
They all troop out, and Diesel and I awkwardly sit on the couch.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” I ask. “Do you want something to eat or maybe?—”
“I’m fine.” He shifts on the couch, squeezes his eyes shut and winces.
“You look like you’re in pain to me. Is it time for another pain pill?”
“I said I’m fine.” He reaches for my hand. “Relax.”
Yeah, right, how could I relax when it was my brother who set him up, then stabbed him and could’ve killed him? Were we going to address that huge gray elephant in the room, or just pretend it didn’t happen?
“How’s your brother?”
“He’s doing better. My mother is going to have him moved to a hospital in the States at the end of the week.”
“Have you seen him?” Diesel asks.
“I went to visit him. Of course, he was all repentant and saying he was going to change, but I’ve heard all that before.” I peel the label on the beer bottle. “It makes it hard to believe him after all the other times.”
“You and him have a lot to work through.”
“For what it’s worth, he said he regrets what he did to you.” My gaze flicks to Diesel’s side. “He panicked, and . . .”
“Whatever. The one he should be apologizing to is you.”
I suck in my lower lip and nod.
My brother and I aren’t the only ones who have issues, but I wasn’t going to say anything since Diesel just got home from the hospital. I purposely didn’t visit him to give us both a chance to think it all out.
