Duke (The Henchmen MC 5)

"Oh, honey," she said, smile a little wicked.

"What?"

"If there's one thing you need to know about these Henchmen, it's that when they pick their woman, they become like cavemen. They see you, growl 'mine' and drag you off to their lairs to fuck you until you can't see straight anymore. Ask any of us. We know. And when they claim you, you're their responsibility. They want to protect and provide and take care of you. Much to the chagrin at times of people like me and Janie and even Maze at times. But it's kind of sweet. Who doesn't like an alpha? Anyway, my point is, when he decided you were his, he did have to."

"But he's been like this since I woke up getting stitches."

"Honey, he claimed you the second you were thrown out of that car."

Somehow, I found myself equally thrilled and concerned by that fact. "But he didn't even know me."

"Your case, I think, was a little different. He felt what happened to you was his fault so it was his responsibility to take care of you and make things right. Then, of course, as you guys spent more time together..." she trailed off, giving me a smirk.

"I feel like I shouldn't like him as much as I do already."

Lo shrugged. "You know, you have to take into consideration that this relationship, like all ours with The Henchmen, weren't normal situations. We all, like you, lived with these men almost from the beginning. Normal couples start by seeing each other once or twice a week for a couple hours. And that goes on for weeks. That is why their relationships progress as slowly as they do. We didn't have that 'luxury'. We were thrown in right away to see how they throw their clothes on the floor and leave the TV on when they go to bed and can never remember to flick a light off. We get to see all the good and bad habits quickly. Also, we've all been in the middle of pretty crazy situations which makes all the feelings go into overdrive. But look, it worked out for all of us."

That was true. I never got to see anyone but Cash with Lo, but what I did see was two people still crazy in love. Even after however many years they had been together.

Having gone my entire child and adulthood without ever having seen what a couple really in love looked like, it was pretty incredible.

"That's true," I agreed. "I mean you and Cash..."

She nodded. "And Reign and Summer. And Repo and Maze. And, maybe especially, Wolf and Janie."

We both had a similar, pained look at the mention of the couple.

"How is she?"

"A wreck," Lo said, obviously not one to mince words. "That's to be expected. Especially with my little Jstorm. She has always been very extroverted. So when she is feeling something, everyone around her knows it. The doctors are hopeful so that's good. And Wolf is a fighter. But Janie is just worried and she tends to channel that worry into fits of rage, frustration, or bone-deep sadness. She hasn't eaten or slept yet. And I don't expect her to. Luckily, she's never been much of a sleeper so she'll be alright on that front."

"Do they have any idea on when he might wake back up?"

Lo shook her head. "They never can tell. Sometimes people are up just hours after. Some people take days. Though, I'm a pretty firm believer that rest is the best remedy so, to me, him sleeping is just a sign that his body is trying to recover."

"My grandmother used to say that too. About sleep being the best medicine." Whenever I was sick, she would come over and stay at my parents' house and make me soup and force me to stay in bed until I was so bored that I eventually slept for a long spell. And damn if I didn't always wake up feeling better.

"We'll be taking you to see her as much as we can too, you know," Lo added.

"I really appreciate that," I said, meaning it.

Lo waved a hand, brushing that off. "And you will be learning self-defense and how to use a gun. There is no use objecting. It's happening. I don't care if I have to drag you outta bed to do it. I don't feel right knowing that you are going to be coming into this lifestyle and have no basic training. I know that Duke will protect you and that is its own kind of peace of mind. But I don't think you're the kind of woman who would be okay with trusting a man to keep you safe. It's our job to protect ourselves as well."

I didn't disagree with that. It was nice that I knew Duke would go out of his way to protect me, but he couldn't be by my side twenty-four, seven. I wanted to know how to take care of myself. I was pretty sure any woman would.