Loyal
I think I’m going to have a heart attack. Air is choking me, burning my lungs as I pant, desperately trying to calm myself.
“Hey, you’re all good. Take a deep breath, sweetheart.”
I focus on Prez’s deep voice and breathe along with him, my heart rate beginning to settle slightly.
“Are you OK? Do you need me to grab someone? Justice or Vex?”
I shake my head vigorously, close my eyes for a moment and repeat under my breath, “You’re safe, this is the Prez’s office now, no one will hurt you.”
“Damn fucking straight no one will hurt you,” Dex growls and I give him a grateful smile for bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“Thank you,” I say, hoarser than I expected, but I guess my throat hasn’t stopped closing over just yet.
“Do you want a drink of water, or something stronger?” Dex raises his brows, shaking a glass bottle of what looks like whiskey at me.
“No! Thank you. I don’t drink.” Not after spending my life surrounded by mean drunks.
Dex gives me a gentle smile, and I can see why he was chosen for the role. He’s good with people. A good leader needs to be able to read his followers in order to make decisions that benefit the flock. Or MC in this case.
“So, what have you got for me?”
I take a deep breath letting it out slowly. This is my chance. “I have found a course at the community college two towns over. The travel time is lengthy but they have an online option. So I can work on medical terminology and things in the evenings and still be on hand for our guests during the day.” I hand over the paperwork I printed out earlier, pointing to one of the modules, “For these classes I’ll have to be there in person, but that’ll be on weekends and Justice is more than happy to take me. If he isn’t too busy with his prospecting duties.” My shoulders slump a little.
There is no way the MC will let Justice shirk on his responsibilities while he’s prospecting. I never thought about that when Justice made the offer. I’m stupid to even think that these men would put my silly little EMT dream before someone actively working toward becoming a full mem-
“Looks good. When can you start?”
I freeze, jaw hanging in the air as I try to process his words in my addled brain.
“Look, Loyal, I get that you’re used to being treated like shit, but we need you. We need your skills. Your current skills, and the future skills you’ll have once you’re trained.”
I stare at him in shock. Even if I wanted to say something, I couldn’t. No words come to mind. None that can translate all the feelings crashing over me. I close my mouth, then open it, then close it again before leaning forward, hand on my heart.
“Thank you, I won’t let you down,” I manage to whisper out around the emotion clogging my throat.
“I wouldn’t thank us just yet, Loyal. I can’t guarantee anything, but knowing the DRMC’s luck someone will get shot in the ass. Or the nipple.”
“What?”
“Don’t ask.” He runs a hand down his face. “Now, go enroll and we’ll take care of the financial shit. I want you starting as soon as you can get in, got it?”
“Yes, Prez. If I send this today I’ll be able to start the new semester this coming Monday.” I beam at him, butterflies wildly flapping in my stomach as I leave the office feeling like I’m walking on air.
Maybe not even walking. I’m floating. I float out into what the MC brothers call the common room, and right up to Vex. There is no one I want to tell more than him.
“You OK?” He reaches for me, gently placing his large, tanned hands on my upper arms. Not gripping, just, resting them on me.
A smile splits my face so wide I can feel my eyes squish up and my cheeks tremble with the effort.
“Dex said I can enroll in my EMT course! I’ll send the papers out today and I’ll be able to start on Monday. It’ll be onlineand on weekends I’ll go in person to do the hands-on stuff.” I place my hands on my cheeks, overwhelmed at the thought. “Can you imagine it?” I whisper. “Imagine me, in the back of an ambulance?”
Vex’s grin mirrors mine and I think nothing of it when he pulls me into his arms, wrapping me in his warmth. His clean manly scent invading my senses.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Loyal. You’re going to kill it, baby.” He pushes me gently away from him, looking at me in wonder, as if I’m something a hell of a lot more special than I actually am.
“Well, we’ll see. I’m yet to start,”
