“I only mentioned ‘there’s a time and place for a woman, and this ain’t it.’She started chewing my ass off.”Sevrin looks confused.
Fatal, however, shakes his head in disapproval and holds out his hand for me.“Come on, we’ve moved Swade to the couch.He’s asking for you.”
A few other members come inside and are heading in Huck’s direction.
“What are they going to do?”My thoughts simply slip out, and I’m not really expecting an answer.
To my surprise, Fatal says, “Swade said it was Norlick Ways who came in here guns blazing.They tried to beat answers out of Swade and they left when they heard us coming.We can’t call the cops and have them turn this place into a crime scene.Not with all the guns we have hidden in here.”
“Makes sense,” I muse as I try to process his words while we walk back up the stairs.
The door is open and I can’t help cringing when my eyes land on the couch where Swade is lying.Rushing forward, I drop to my knees next to him.I want to grab his hand, or hug him, but I stay rooted because of all the blood, cuts, and bruises.I’m pretty sure feathering my fingertips over his skin would hurt by the looks of it.
“Are you okay?”I can feel my eyes widen.“Shit.Stupid question.Sorry.”
Swade chokes on a laugh and instantly groans in pain.“I’ll be a hell of a lot better when the doc and his drugs get here.Fuck.I really need the good stuff to knock me out.”
I turn to Fatal and whisper, “Is it safe?”
Though, it’s Swade who says, “I’ve had worse, sweetheart.Not only do we have bareknuckle fights in the backyard of the club from time to time, but I’ve sustained a few injuries working in this brewery.”
My gaze turns blurry, and I rattle, “You’ve slipped so many times, and then there was the incident with the forklift, and the hot liquid when...”
He cuts me off by lifting his hand and gently placing it against my cheek.“Each and every time you’ve worried, but I bounced back.”
With these few simple words and memories, it’s clear our lives have been more intwined than I realized.He might not have been my father on paper and on the surface, but deep down?He’s always been there throughout my life as I’ve been in his.
I squeeze my eyes closed and lean into his touch.“You did.”
“Doctor’s here,” Heart states from somewhere behind me.
Swade’s eyes are starting to swell shut.
My throat feels thick with emotion when I croak, “You’d better not die, because I want a chance to call you dad for real.This moment isn’t it...so, don’t you die on me.”
Swade chokes on a laugh again and I could kick myself for being the one who causes more pain.
“Come on, babe, give the doc some room,” Fatal states and lifts me to my feet.
Fatal tugs me under his arm and holds me close.I fist his cut and keep my eyes on Swade while the doctor checks out his injuries.
I tip my head back to stare at Fatal.“Doesn’t he need to go to the hospital for a cat scan or an MRI to make sure he doesn’t have any internal bleeding?”
Fatal leans in and brushes his lips against my forehead.“We asked, he refused.I’m sure the doctor will demand it if he deems it necessary.”
“Good to know,” I muse.
The doctor takes a syringe and administers something to Swade.
I’m itchy and can’t hold my tongue any longer.“Is he going to be okay?”
The doctor doesn’t turn to face me but does bob his head.“He has to take it easy for the upcoming few weeks.Which, knowing the bastard, will be hard.”
“Asshole,” Swade grumbles.
The doctor chuckles.“Be nice or I’ll add an extra few Benjamins to the bill.”
Swade flips him off and I untangle myself from Fatal to get to Swade and whisper hiss, “Could you stop?The man is helping you.”
