“But you do. That’s what you don’t understand.” He snaps. “I’m not like Bash and Jace or Colin and the others. I can’t share her with my brothers. My woman is for me and me alone.”
“Even if it means losing her?” I ask him, hoping that it hits him that this will end things between them forever.
“I can’t share. I hate it. I wish I could. But I can’t. There’s nothing else to say.”
“Give yourself some time to think about it. Don’t make a rash decision.” I try to reason with him.
Hank laughs. Not a funny ha ha laugh. But one full of anger, and a hint of vindictiveness. If that’s even a thing.
“Oh, I get it. She’s made it clear she won’t choose between us. Either we all say yes, or it’s no one. Hate it for you, Doc, but I’m not going to agree to it just to keep your dick happy. If that’s why you came, you can fuckin’ leave now. Just go.”
“That’s not it at all. She may say it’s all or nothing, but that’s where you and I differ. I know I want her and I’m willing to fight with everything I have for Veronica. Guess you can’t say the same.” My words are cold, calm, and firm. I mean each and every one of them because I’m not letting her go without a fight.
“I don’t care,” he grumbles.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Hank. You do care. Maybe too much. I just hope you don’t wake up one day when it’s too late and Veronica is gone for good. She’s the best thing to happen to all of us, and you’re just throwing it away.”
With that I turn and leave, not even bothering to do the wound check. I’m too pissed right now. Neither of our emotions are in the right place to continue being in the same room together.
Chapter 8
Vee
Apoundingonmydoorhas me startling awake. The television has gone back to the home screen for streaming. I must’ve drifted off to sleep. My body and mind are both fully exhausted from the events of the last twenty-four hours. I have to rub my eyes, trying desperately to clear my blurry vision as the incessant knocking continues. Each pounding is louder than the one before it.
“VeeVee, open up,” my brother shouts from the other side of the door, pulling me to the present.
Luca. Fuck. He told me he’d be over as soon as he finished up what he was doing. The last thing I remember is watching Walking Dead for the millionth time.
“Coming,” I shout as I toss the blanket off me and stand up. I take a moment to stretch my arms above my head, my back arching as I try to loosen the tension my body is holding. As I walk to the door, I rub the back of my neck trying to ease the crick in my neck.
I unlock the door, take hold of the knob and open it. He takes one look at me and pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly.
“Who the fuck am I killin’?” he growls.
“No one. Everyone.” I can’t hold the sobs back. He lets go of me long enough to shut the door behind us. “Tell me who made you cry.”
I shake my head and step back over to the couch, bringing my legs up on it and pull the blanket back over me. He’s not taking that for an answer though. Luca rushes to my side, taking a seat in front of me.
“VeeVee. You messaged you needed to talk to me and I show up to your face looking like this. Who hurt you? Don’t make me fuckin’ ask again.”
The dam bursts and my mouth starts spilling everything to him a mile a minute. He doesn’t stop me, or look at me with any type of judgment. He just listens. Exactly what I need him to do.
“Fuck, I’m so sorry. I thought for sure you’d end up with both of them. The Doc, that’s a new one to me.” He reaches out, using the back of his hand to wipe the tears off my cheek. “What can I do? Killing them might start a war with the Hellions, but I’d do it for you.”
The way he’s looking at me. Eyes full of love, but there’s something dark just beneath them. The way his jaw is clenched. I can see the steady ticking of the muscles in his neck, which tells me he would do it without a second thought.
“No. I don’t want anyone murdered. My heart is broken, but I can’t make them love me if they don’t,” I whisper, placing my hand on his.
“It’s not a matter of love. I know they love you.” He swallows.
“I know. It’s the sharing. It’s not a life for just anyone. Hank made it clear he wouldn’t. And I didn’t give Luke a chance to say if he would. I won’t cause a rift between them. And I can’t choose. For me, it’s all three of them or no one.” I let out a deep sigh, one that rattles my whole body.
“What do you want me to do if not kill them? Torture? That might cause too much strife between our clubs. Again, if it comes to war, you’re coming with me.”
That’s a good question. What do I want from my brother? Hank and Luke I don’t see coming here anytime soon. But Josh. That’s a different story. He already said he was giving me a day, then after his shift he’s coming for me. I’m not ready for that. To tell him no, we can’t be something, because I can’t have all of them.
“I need some space. Time away from everyone where they can’t just show up at my door.” I bite my lip, debating what I’m about to ask. It’s the perfect solution, though.
