Patch (Silver Saints MC)

“Your hospital records.”

“Is that against your code of ethics or whatever oath it is you guys take?”

I grinned and shook my head. “No harm in looking, sweetheart.” The blush returned to her cheeks, tempting me to drag her across the car onto my lap. But she needed to recover from her injury before things heated up any more. My tone was low and seductive when I added, “It’s what we do with the information that matters.”

“Um…” Willa looked a little dazed, and I couldn’t help feeling a little smug at my effect on her. She twisted around and opened her car door, taking a deep breath before swinging her feet out. Before she could stand, I put a hand on her arm.

“Wait for me,” I instructed. When she looked back at me with a raised eyebrow and slightly indignant frown, I had to suppress a chuckle.

“I’m not an invalid, and I don’t need a man to do things for me.”

“Sweetheart, my desire to open your door and help you out has nothing to do with either of those.” That took some of the wind out of her sails, and this time, I couldn’t keep in my bubble of mirth. “First, just because you aren’t an invalid doesn’t mean you couldn’t use a little help. Not needing help and gracefully accepting it are two very different things.”

“Well, I suppose…” She trailed off, her argument having lost its foundation.

“Also, I was raised to respect women, and that includes doing things like opening their doors. My momma would have my fucking hide if she found out I’d let you get out of the car without offering my assistance. And trust me, no one wants to be in the path of her wrath.”

Willa giggled, and her face turned soft and dreamy for a moment. “Sounds like you really love your mom.”

I nodded and shot her another grin before unhooking my seat belt and opening my door. “I love my mother every bit as much as I fear her. Sometimes, I think even God wouldn’t disagree with her.” She laughed as I climbed out of her matchbox car and shut the door. I jogged to her side and held out my hand.

Will smirked as she allowed me to gently pull her to her feet. “I hope you realize that you just gave me all the ammunition I need to get what I want.”

I refrained from telling her that I would always give her anything she wanted if it was within my power. Unless it jeopardized her safety or our future family’s. Instead, I gasped dramatically with a horrified expression. “Are you threatening to tattle to my mother, Willa?”

She threw her head back and belted a laugh that sent tingles all over my body. Fuck, she was beautiful.

After a minute, she composed herself and grimaced, putting her free hand on her head. “Ouch,” she muttered.

“Let’s go, sweetheart,” I said as I swung her up into my arms. To my surprise, she didn’t protest and snuggled into my chest instead. “You need rest.” I kissed the top of her head as I headed for the stairs that led to her apartment. At the door, she raised her head and looked at it with panic before turning that same expression on me.

“He…” She gulped. “He has the keys to my apartment.”

I carefully set her on her feet, kissing the top of her head again before letting her go. I couldn’t seem to keep my lips off of her. Which could be a major problem once we were alone near a bed. She needed to avoid strenuous activity until her symptoms subsided, which could take a couple of days or longer. Longer would probably cause my balls to explode at some point, but I’d risk it if it meant keeping Willa safe and healthy.

I reached into my pocket and dug out my wallet, then withdrew a credit card. I popped the lock on the first try, causing my brow to furrow and a deep frown. “The security here is shit,” I growled. “Your dad know about this?”

Willa huffed and tried to stomp past me but got dizzy and swayed, nearly falling before I caught her. “I can take care of myself. He taught me to defend myself.”

“I’ve no doubt he did, Willa,” I said in a placating tone as I picked her up once more. “But that doesn’t mean you should just invite every motherfucking criminal out there into your house.”

“I’m not—” She stopped when I gave her a hard look. She’d been beaten, and she knew it. That lock was no better than a toothpick. Rather than continue her denial, she sighed. “I bought a deadbolt, but I’ve been busy with classes and…” She trailed off and laid her head on my chest. “I’m tired.”

I walked straight to her couch and gently set her down before glancing at my watch. “You need to stay up for a little longer, sweetheart. Then you can sleep all you want.”