A fucking prospect, it figures. “Yeah, Firecracker, he’ll be perfect.”
“Do you need to talk to him?”
“No, tell him I said to get his ass down here with you and be prepared to drive my shit back.”
“Got it. We’ll be there in fifteen.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Of course.” The casual tone turned a knife in his gut. He’d never had a woman take care of him other than his Nona. At least not without expecting something in return or making him feel shitty about it at some point. The dial tone buzzing in his ear woke him from his stupor and he hung up the phone. Fucking pitiful. I’m bleeding out over something she didn’t give a second thought about. Embarrassment and shame made him raw. She made his mind wander to places he liked to keep locked up tight. He’d never forget the moment his mother blamed him for her downfall. He’d been twelve, and still hopeful she’d get her act together. The verbal teardown and physical assault had hardened his heart.
His phone vibrated, dragging him from the painful memory. He read the text and melted.
Might be late, stopping at store to stock up on supplies. ~Firecracker.
His resolve wavered. If he could have this all the time, would it be worth the risk? His hands shook as he fumbled with the keys.
Take your time, I still have to get dressed gimpy style. ~Rocco
Almost twenty minutes later, he locked the doors to the gym behind him and slowly made his way to the black SUV owned by the club. They hadn’t let Evonne drive her car because Levi knew the make and model, and their vehicle had a tracking system.
“Hey, man, sorry to hear about your strain,” Mouth said. A wiry man with long black hair shaved on the side and a thin, angular face, he looked about seventeen instead of his actual twenty-seven. Never at a loss for words, he could he talk himself out of almost anything, henceforth the moniker.
“Thanks. You take care of my baby or I’m going to take it out of your hide.”
“Understood, brother. You need anything else from me?”
“Nope, just meet me at the crib.”
“I got you.” Mouth nodded and took the keys from him.
“Remember, it’s your life on the line, prospect.”
“I’ll take good care of your lady,” Mouth replied.
Assured, he slowly made his way to the car. The window rolled down and Evonne leaned over. “D-do you need help?” Anxiety lined her face and turned her voice an octave higher.
The weakened wall he’d built crumbled under her genuine concern. “I got this, Firecracker.”
She frowned but nodded, sitting back in the driver’s seat.
Thank fuck for that. If Mouth saw me getting helped inside the car like a baby, he’d tell everyone.
The ride home was silent, yet not uncomfortable. They pulled up at the house. She grabbed the bags, rushed out of the car and jogged to the porch to open the front door.
His lips quirked upward and he shook his head. He bit back a groan as pain shot through his leg on the way out of the car. By the time he hobbled inside and collapsed on the couch, he was spent.
Evonne locked the door behind him and sat down with a broad smile. “So I got the essentials, your favorite beer, The Departed, Scarface and as soon as you’re ready, we’re ordering a pizza.”
“Mama, you are a damn miracle worker right now.”
She grinned. “I just wanted to make it easier on you. Let me take care of you for a week, tough guy. We’ll get you back to fighting shape in no time.” Leaning in, she ran her fingers down the side of his face.
Rocky leaned into her touch, inhaling the almost floral scent he’d come to associate with her. In that span of a heartbeat, he let her inside his damaged heart and vowed to keep her close.
Chapter Nine
The club and its family members had been on lockdown at the clubhouse for over a week and the cramped conditions were beginning to wear on folks. Snippy responses came from women, an extra dose of rowdiness came from the men and flat-out cabin fever took hold of the children. The compound they stayed in was on the edge of town on a decent plot of land. They could see anyone coming and be able to defend themselves without worry about the law. On the other hand, no help would be had.