Double would mean I could get back on track. Double meant I could get Tony and Gage to get off my back.
“Half at front and half when you finish.” Hound offered, even though it took me a second to think about it. Shooter needed at least twelve weeks of recovery, and that was if he followed the rules.
He was unpredictable. He was the epitome of a sour candy that has the sweetness at the end. Yet he has this glint in his eyes like he would be ready to kill.
I tossed back and forth about what I could do, and how I needed to be stronger than this. But my one and only goal could be a reality, if I just shook hands to care for a crazed man that sparked a slight warm feeling in my belly.
I guess I really needed to get my head examined.
“Fine. But if he bites me or is a stubborn asshole, I’m walking." They thought I was kidding but I wasn’t completely joking.
“I can’t promise he won’t bite.” Hound Dog laughed.
A tiny shiver coursed through my body just thinking about the off chance that Shooter would bite or nip at me. I shouldn’t be turned on about that. I chalked it up to the lack of action. But I was lying about that.
Chapter 7
Shooter
Icould have taken care of myself. Though I’m not one to stay down for too long, stillness makes everything in me uncontrollable, itching to be a part of some chaos. The guys joked that I was as antsy as a grumpy old man. I wasn’t that old. I wasn’t even forty yet, just shy of it by two years. I was still young.
When Hound found out about the little hospital visit, my ass got chewed out for one, not telling anyone else, and two for being stupid enough for thinking that Dillon wouldn’t strike back. My ass got handed to me more when I “wasn’t following my plan of care”. As my brother I wanted to push him away, but as for him as my president, he wasn’t too happy with me. Partly because I was going to be out of commission for a bit until I could at least move on my own.
“I know how to take care of myself,” I grunted, after Hound Dog made the call.
“Oh yeah, and you’re doing an amazing job.” He rolled his eyes. “Tell me, if you know how to take care of yourself and your years of experience, why need the boot and crutches then?How much pain are you in?” he started hounding me, no pun intended.
Anger started to rise to the surface. I was already hating myself, feeling like I was letting people down and not protecting the club. Being an enforcer wasn’t for the faint of heart. Twitty was the Sergeant at Arms, and I had a tougher job. People stepped out of line; we were their next visit. Someone outside of the club fucked around and they found out what happened next.
The amount of anger could send anyone down a path of swirling darkness if you weren’t already down in those depths. We carried the memories of the lives taken, paid a toll in blood to protect the club.
It had taken years to find outlets to let out all the demons, even if they like to stay around and play with certain people and call others like souls.
Twitty, Otis, and I were hanging out in the common area, music playing in the corner and a sports recast of a game from last season on the TV. A typical down day for the club, the only time I could be social, at least with the boot tying my ass to the compound.
“Jesus, man, why can't you just follow fucking directions and Prez wouldn’t have to worry about you.” Otis groaned.
He just didn’t want the arguing to keep happening. He also didn’t want to have to pitch in and do some of my duties. I didn’t blame him. He’s just lucky he doesn’t have to worry about any court actions or anything.
“Because I can handle myself.”
“Like you handled yourself by falling on your ass at the gym. Got too cocky, didn’t you?”
“Want me to put my boot up your ass?” I lifted my boot in his direction.
“Save your attitude for Mia. I can’t wait to see her handle your dumbass,” Twitty chimed in, sipping on probably day-old coffee.
A sudden chill ran down my spine with anticipation. As much as I hated the idea of Amelia being around this place, maybe there was something else to her being around me.
She was a mystery wrapped in goddess shape. I didn’t like not knowing and I was going to know one way or another. She could tell me willingly or I’d find out for myself. She pushed away certain people but invited others. She built her walls and wasn’t afraid of me. Though most people would run away from me, afraid of giving into their deep desires and wishes, and just afraid I’d skin them alive.
Amelia didn’t back down, even when she tried to find a spark of curiosity.
I knew the sound of her strides when she walked in the door. I didn’t bother to turn around. “Damn, I thought they’d stop evil nurse.”
I pushed off the couch, my brothers trying to hide their excitement for the little show that was about to happen. “Only evil to those that are stupid enough to ignore medical advice.” I saw her hands on her hips, surveying me, “Where the fuck you think you’re going?”
I hobbled over toward the kitchen, “About to go make me a snack. You want one?” There were a few giggles from the girls that hung around the compound who sat at one of the tables in the corner.
