Tank suddenly looks uncomfortable. “Claire, you ready?”
No one seems aware of my freak-out. I look at Val and her warm, dimpled smile and Tank’s look of mild confusion.
I’m the weirdo here. I’m the one who’s broken. I’m the one who needs to listen when spoken to and go with the flow.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m ready.”
Tank nods and waits, letting me walk ahead of him through the diner doors. When we get there, I stop and turn around. He’s lightly swinging the car seat while talking to Aurora the whole time.
“Uncle Tank,” he says. “I know it’s a mouthful, but it’s going to be your second word. I guess second and third words, but I’ve got faith in you, kid. Say it with me, Aurora. Uncle Tank.”
She says, “Maaamaaamaa,” but she answers him back.
Aurora looks at me as she says it, and something inside me crumbles. I feel tears sting my eyes, and I say, “Hey, baby.”
“Uncle Tank.” Tank’s voice is so playful and happy as he tries to urge my daughter to say his name, I can’t help but feel more assured and at ease.
And even though everything inside me feels panic and worry about letting this stranger carry my daughter, about how he’s going to feel if I react or speak up, I fight the feelings. Because none of these people have done anything to even remotely suggest they might hurt me or my daughter.
We’re safe.
7
SAVAGE
That didn’t fucking go as planned.
When I get back to the compound, I have to be helped inside by Shadow and Viper.
“I’m fucking fine,” I grunt, trying to shove myself upright, but I can’t. I took a beating today, and while I won the fight, my body feels like it lost a title match.
I shrug off their help, trying to hide the pain that slices through my chest every time I move. I took a couple of boot kicks to the ribs and would not be surprised if I have bruises. I’ll be lucky if nothing is fractured.
“You might have a concussion.” Shadow grunts into my ear. “Lemme get you to your room, and we’ll call the doc.”
In addition to a lawyer, the club recently added a doctor to the payroll.
“Stop.” I cover my face with my hands and let out a groan. I clearly didn’t realize how manypunches I took to the jaw, too. “I’m fine.” I stand on my own, trying my ever-loving best not to pass out. “I’m going to check on Claire and the baby, and then I’ll crash. If I need the doctor, you can call her in the morning.”
I don’t know why I’m hell-bent on checking on Claire after hardly seeing her at all for the last week. Part of me just wants to reassure myself that she’s really here and okay. That she didn’t pack up her laptop and her daughter and leave.
I lean one fist against her door and suck in a breath as I lift my hand to knock. Shadow and Viper are on my heels, glowering, hovering.
She opens the door, holding Aurora in her arms. “Savage?” She immediately looks worried. “What’s wrong?”
I hold up a hand before Shadow or Viper can say anything. “How are you? Everything go okay today?” I try to sound normal, but my breath seems to be coming out real fucking shaky. A wave of nausea hits me, and my knees buckle.
“Oh my God.” Claire turns and sets Aurora down in the crib, then she turns back. “Come in and sit down.”
“He might need a doctor,” Shadow says, and it sounds like he’s gritting his teeth.
“I need a fucking babysitter like I need a hole in the head,” I growl, glaring at him. I flick a look at Claire. “You mind? Can I sit a few?”
She nods, shoves a baby blanket and some toys off the couch, and motions for me to sit.
I drop onto the cushion, but as soon as I lower my body, an agonized noise slips past my throat.
Claire is immediately at my side. She kneels and hovers a hand over my arm. “What happened? Where are you hurt?”
