Copper (Hell's Handlers MC 4)

It was kind of a turn on.

“Look at me, Michelle.”

Yeah, the tone was definitely sexy. As was the use of her full name. She met his solemn gaze.

“I’m all right, baby. The doctors fixed me all up. All of my injuries will heal. Might have a few gnarly scars, but I’m pretty sure you can handle those.”

Her throat constricted and her eyes burned. It’d been so close. If they’d been just a few minutes later…

“I’m all right,” he said again, tugging her hand. “Baby, please relax. It’s killing me seeing you so worked up like this. If you want me to sleep and heal, you’re gonna have to take care of yourself. I can’t be calm until you are.” When she resisted his pull, he only tugged harder.

How could he still be so strong with all the blood loss?

After a thirty second stand-off, Shell relented. As gently as possible, she stretched out beside him on the bed. “Please tell me if I hurt you.”

“Not possible, babe,” he said. “I feel ten times better already just having you next to me.”

A small smile tilted her lips. His warmth seeped into her, proving he was in fact very much alive. “It was terrifying,” she whispered. “Seeing you like that. I can’t even tell you how scared I was.”

His large hand stroked over her hair and down her back. “Fuck, I wish you hadn’t been there.”

She knew he did. He would be pissed over her presence for a while. She actually felt bad for Zach, who’d already gotten an earful and would undoubtedly get a lot more once Copper was back on his feet. Horrifying as it was, she’d been where she was supposed to be. No way could she have stayed back at the clubhouse waiting around for news. She’d needed to participate in Copper’s rescue. “You’re really feeling okay?”

He chuckled. “Well, no, I feel like dogshit. But I am okay. Promise, baby.”

She sighed. Guess that was the best she could expect. “All right.”

“I really need you to get some rest. One of the guys will take you home for a few hours so you can sleep.”

She fell silent, playing with the hospital gown that didn’t quite fit her over-sized man. The thought of leaving had her near panic. “Can I please stay? I know you’re okay, but I need to be near you right now. I just need to be where you are.”

He didn’t like it, she could tell, but after a moment he said, “Fine, but no more researching my injuries. The docs will tell us everything we need to know.” Scooping his arm beneath her, he positioned her head on his chest.

“Okay. I love you, Copper.” The steady beat of his heart under her ear helped to calm her anxiety.

“Jesus, babe, I love you so fucking much.”

They were gifted about ten minutes of peace before the door to his room swung open. Zach, Screw, and LJ burst in. “We got a problem, Prez,” Zach said. “Oh shit. Sorry, didn’t know you were still here, Shell.”

“No worries,” she said, frowning. Did Copper really need to deal with club business right now? So soon after being injured? One peek up at his determined expression told her all she needed to know. Her man was ready for action. His head was already back in the game. If it ever left. With a sigh, she slipped off the bed. “I’ll give you guys some time to chat.” Squeezing Copper’s hand, she turned to leave but didn’t make it more than one step before she was yanked back toward the bed.

“Don’t fucking think you’re getting out of here without giving me those lips,” he growled.

Shell leaned down to give him a quick kiss, but he had other ideas. His mammoth hand gripped the back of her head, holding her against him while he ravaged her mouth. Within seconds she was flushed, lightheaded, and wishing they were anywhere else.

When she righted herself, Zach whistled. “That’s some hot shit right there, guys. We better talk quick, I’m gonna need to find my woman, asap.”

Face burning, Shell giggled.

“Love you,” Copper said.

She took a stumbling step toward the door making all the men laugh. “Love you too.”

Jig stood in the hall, arms folded across his chest. Shell went right to him. “I need you to promise me something, Jig.”

One of his dark eyebrows crept upward. “What’s that?”

“Please don’t let Copper be the one to kill Rusty,” she whispered.

“Shell—”

“No.” She held up a hand. “I’m serious Jig. It will mess his head up. That’s his brother who, until a week ago, he believed was a good man. Up until last week, he loved Rusty and felt responsible for him. Promise me.”

Jig banged his head against the wall and groaned. “I can’t make that promise, Shell. You know that.”

Her heart fell. Of all the men, she’d have thought Jig would understand. He knew what it was to lose someone he loved.