Page 27 of Hostile Saint

Naturally paranoid due to my brothers, I peered over the back of the couch to see past the dining room table and out the front windows. “What friendlies?”

Lynx casually stated, “The chapter we were, uh, visiting when we came across you. They’ve got a rotation kickin’ to keep an eye on us.”

The only ‘rotation’ who had ever watched over me before meant me harm. I could almost feel my brothers looming, their eyes hungry. “Lynx, why?”

“Because they’d prefer me to be stayin’ at their nearby clubhouse.”

I figured ‘they’ were trying to control him just like my brothers did me. “Why?”

“Settle down. It’s a good thing, Pup. Breathe. It’s just a case of that Prez not liking this one,” he touched his chest, “unprotected on his turf.”

This sounded complicated, so I asked a very intricate question. “Why?”

Lynx smirked. “Because I’m the President of the Original Chapter. I’m the one who has final say over all Steel Stallions.”

Impressed, I leaned to the side to eye this man. Yes, I knew he was a President of some club in Austin, but Lynx hadn’t shown any arrogant signs that he was some top dog of others, too. “How many Stallions we talkin’?”

With pride, his smirk grew. “Enough to handle any shit you have comin’, anywhere in the country.”

“Wow.” I sat there, stunned and rather humbled this man was taking a chance on little ol’ me. But as these three men had shown me, daily, I quickly recovered and teased, “I guess I won’t be winnin’ that thousand bucks, after all.”

Lynx sat back, spreading his arms over the back of the couch, suddenly looking like the king I hadn’t known he was. “I sure the hell hope not, Pup. Because that would make your enemies some of the scariest fuckers ever.”

A realization struck me. “You’re not staying at that clubhouse because of me. Isn’t that right?”

He dipped his chin. “That’s correct. I needed to know what I was dealing with before putting them in harm’s way.”

“But you said—”

“Just because you have the power don’t mean you should use it. Having ‘say’ over all my boys also means I’m responsible for them. Each and every one of those men are my brothers. Sons. Family. I take care of my family.”

“Damn. That’s a lot of weight to carry. You must think my constant worry over Lace is small time.”

“Hell no, kid. That’s a whole other kind of love. That’s beyond the heart. That’s soul shit.” He released a shiver. “Fuck. If Elle were in the shape your girl is… Fuck, I can’t even go there. You functioning at all right now tells me what a survivor you are.” He eyed me. “I know you’d die for her without a second thought.”

Damn straight. “I’d take my own life at this very second if it guaranteed her safety.”

“Jesus H. Christ. Dagger is right. You are a mini-Lynx.” He smiled at me with admiration. “You make vouching for you so easy, you little Life Warrior.”

Honored that such a man as he had my unimpressive back had me quietly saying, “Thank you.” I nodded, insecure about deserving such kindness. “And… thank you for all you’ve done for me. I hope I can make it up to you someday.”

He playfully ruffled my hair. “Don’t get all emotional on me, ya putz.”

The noble leader of the Steel Stallions got up from the couch and walked away, making me smile. That man was walking away so no one saw him sweat, so no one saw him caring for me. I was okay with that. I didn’t need anyone to see it. Feeling it in my heart was plenty.

Receiving care, food, and support, it was mind-blowing how fast I healed. Within one week, I was off pain meds and almost done with my antibiotics. Doc visited me and cleared me for showers. He hoped the next time he saw me he could remove my stitches. He said the ones in my mouth had dissolved as they were supposed to.

Warm water from my first shower was one of the best feelings I had ever experienced. I felt like I was literally washing away anxiety. I felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle my next obstacle. I also felt I owed a thank you to Lynx’s woman.

Even though Elle had never met me, she had a shipment of vitamins and natural herbs dropped off right away. It was a little comical to see a big ol’ burly biker pulling up in the driveway and delivering a brown paper bag of ‘herbs’ that were truly organic herbs.

Lynx had bitched, “What the fuck is Elle doing to my Colorado club? Has them shoppin’ in some health food store? Jesus H. Christ. She trying to kill their image?”

Either way, I was honored and promised to properly thank her myself someday.

Entering the kitchen, I saw Vice at the stove. I still wasn’t used to it. He was so big he looked out of place. He could barely see under the exhaust fan! But man could he cook. He had a pot of shredded chicken soaking in barbeque sauce.

I took a whiff. “Vice, damn. That smells incredible.”