Page 99 of Hash

This gruff looking man has the heart of gold. And that heart belongs to me.

He never wants to admit he did something outright just to be nice.

“Thank you,” I tell him quietly as my arm wraps around his middle and I settle in.

“Don’t mention it,” he mumbles, but I’m already fading out.

I wake with a gasp, feeling like my oxygen is being cut off as I sit straight up. Pain washes over me, making my head throb and my vision go spotty. My hands come up to cradle my head as I wait for my vision to clear.

“What the fuck?” Hash says, his voice gravely with sleep. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

Hash sits up in bed next to me, placing a hand on my back, rubbing small circles.

“I forgot to tell you something.”

“Jesus, take a breath. You don’t need to work yourself up just for forgetting to tell me one thing. Your body doesn’t need the stress, baby doll.”

“It’s not something small, Hash.” I shake my head as I lift it out of my hands and look at him.

His green eyes are staring back at me, full of concern as he waits for me to continue.

“When the guy got into the room with Cormac and I, he threatened me. He told me he was there to deliver a message. A message for you and your club.”

“What did he say?” Hash asks through clenched jaws as he continues to rub my back.

“The Dirty Devils’ days are numbered in Ravenna Heights.” I swallow, trying to hold myself together as a chill runs down my spine. I can still hear his voice in my head.

Hash’s hand jerks on my back.

“I’m going to send Doc in to check up on you. I’m sure he’s been waiting. I need to go talk to Cain.”

I nod.

“Can you hand me Cormac? He’s starting to stir, and I know he has to be hungry.”

Hash climbs out of bed and picks up a half-awake Cormac, who snuggles into him. My ovaries pulse at the sight of him holding our baby close, rocking him in his big, tattooed arms as he places a kiss on top of his head.

He passes him off to me, staring at us as he pulls his pants on and slips on his cut. “I’ll be back in a while. If you’re in pain, tell Doc. He’ll give you something stronger for it.” Hash pauses to shoot me a hard look at my expression. He knows I’m one to downplay every situation because I don’t want anyone fussing over me. “Now isn’t the time to be the hero, Aisling. The more relaxed you are, the faster your body will heal. I’m going to tell Doc when he leaves to send Evan up with some food. You need to eat.”

Hash moves in, placing a kiss on my forehead. He looks like he wants to say something else but decides against it, leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.

I haven’t forgotten the four words he spoke to me on the phone.

Love you, baby doll.

I need to bring it up, but I don’t want the first time I say it back to him to be clouded by this. It should be a happy memory.

A knock on the door sounds just as Cormac is done feeding. It must be Doc.

“Come in!” I call as I tuck myself away.

The door opens, and Doc’s head pokes in. “Is it okay if I come in?”

“Of course,” I try my best to smile at him, but with how swollen my cheek is, it comes out wonky.

Doc smiles politely, unfazed by how I look. I haven’t seen myself in the mirror yet, but if the way it feels is anything to go off of, I bet it’s pretty fucking bad.

Doc steps inside the room and gently closes the door behind him. He sets his medical bag on top of Hash’s dresser.