Cole got up and went into the bathroom. He rummaged through the cabinet. A moment later, the bed sagged as he sat back down.
“Take these.”
She turned to look at him. He was holding a couple of pills in his hand.
“Please, baby. It’ll take the pain away. Let you sleep.”
He handed her a bottle of water and watched as she washed them down. Then he stayed with her until she fell asleep.
***
That night, after Angel fell asleep, Cole went down to the clubhouse. The guys were all back. He walked outside and found Crash, Cajun, Red Dog, Green, and Kilt Boy. They were standing around, smoking and drinking.
Kilt Boy looked up when he saw Cole walk out the door. He walked over and put his hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Crash told us what happened. Is the lass all right?”
Cole nodded. “Yeah. But she is pissed.”
Kilt Boy nodded. “Aye, I can imagine. Wish we’d been there, Sonny-boy. We should have gone with ye.”
Cole shook his head. “You couldn’t have known. Anyway, it’s done now.”
“We can still go kick some bluidy arse.”
“No. Let it go. I shouldn’t have pissed on Big Ed. It’s my fault.”
“You’re fault? I was there, Brother. You couldn’t have stopped them,” Crash insisted.
“I instigated it. We both know that. What I did at the War Dogs clubhouse—” he broke off, shaking his head.
Crash didn’t know what to say to that. He watched Cole. Could tell he was pretty tore up about this, although he didn’t want them to see it. “Maybe…maybe you should get her out of here.”
Cole looked at him and nodded. If he had cut her loose in the beginning, none of this would have happened. He knew Crash was right, but how was he going to let her go?
“Hey, why don’t you go take that trip you were planning? See how everything lands when you get back.”
Cole nodded. “Yeah. If she’ll go.”
Crash grinned. “I got a feelin’ she will. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
Cole looked at him and shook his head. “I think I may have killed that feeling.”
Crash slapped him on the back. “Naw. You just need to keep her in your bed for a couple of days. By the time you’re through, lover boy, she won’t ever want to leave.”
“Aye. Fook the lass till she can’t walk. That’ll keep her from leavin’ yer arse,” Kilt Boy chimed in, laughing.
“Shut up, you crude bastard.” Cole slugged him in the arm, smiling. Actually, it sounded like a good plan.
***
Angel opened her eyes. The stereo was playing soft blues. She lay on her stomach. She turned her head. Cole was lying on his side next to her. He was awake and looking at her.
He smiled and reached up to gently brush the hair back from her face. “Morning.”
“What time is it?” she asked. Rain pelted against the windowpanes. The skies were gray, and the early morning light was muted. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“It’s barely dawn. Go back to sleep, baby,” he whispered.
She studied him. He looked tired. “Did you sleep?”
He shook his head slightly. “No. I’ve been watching you.” He ran his hand over her hair, then leaned over and kissed her forehead tenderly.
She felt the brush of his soft facial hair against her skin. He kissed her temple, and the affection in the gesture touched her deeply. When he pulled back, she searched his eyes. “You’ve been awake all night?”
He nodded.
“Why?”
“The things that haunt my dreams, there’s no rest for me there. I try to avoid it for as long as I can.”
“Baby, you have to sleep. You’re exhausted.”
“I’m fine. I’d rather watch you.”
She saw the tormented look in his eyes and asked, “What’s wrong?”
He stared at her for a long moment before finally admitting, “I promised you I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you. I let you down.”
The look on his face was pure anguish. She didn’t know what to say to him.
***