“You’re wrong. You’ve got no idea what he’s done to protect you and the club.”
The sound of the front door opening filled the room.
“Ashley’s back. I’m going to leave you to your wash. Get cleaned up and spend the rest of the day relaxing. I’ll drop by to see your mother.”
He was at the door when she told him to stop.
“I needed the money for my mom. Her medical bills have never stopped. She needs to be taken care of, and that’s what I do and what I pay for. I don’t spend the money elsewhere. It all goes on my mom.” She chanced a look at him.
His expression was closed off.
“I’ll take care of everything.” Pussy nodded at her and left the bathroom. Keeping hold of her legs, she heard Ashley enter. Her friend looked pale, and as she reached for the soap her hands were shaking.
“Hey, honey. You’re going to end up all wrinkly if you stay in the water too long.” Ashley kept talking.
“What’s going on?” Mia asked.
“Nothing is going on. Just be glad you’re here and not at Dale’s. I promise you, everything will be fine. Jerry is in his office dealing with some stuff. I’ve just been with him and Devil talking a few things through. You don’t need to worry about a thing. I’m taking care of you. We’re going to have a girly day here. I think some movies, ice-cream.” Her words went on and on about what they could do with the remainder of the day.
Mia ignored her suggestions, knowing in her heart something bad had happened. Closing her eyes, she let Ashley wash her body, and when it was time to get out, she wrapped her body in a towel.
“I’m going to let you get dressed. I’ll grab a first aid kit.”
A knock sounded, and Mia called for whoever it was to enter, hoping it was Curse.
Disappointment swamped her as Jerry stood on the other side. “I brought this for you.” He held a red first aid box.
“Thank you, I was going to go and get one.” Ashley took the box and handed it to her.
Mia took it keeping her eyes on Jerry.
“Ashley, will you go and get me a drink? I could really use a chocolate or coffee.” She smiled at her friend, trying to get rid of her.
“Don’t you need me with you?” Ashley asked.
“No, I can mend up my cuts and bruises.”
She waited for the other woman to leave before focusing on Jerry. “Tell me what’s going on, please? Pussy has been by, and I’ve seen how Ashley looks. What’s going on?”
“What makes you think I’m going to let you know the details of everything happening?” Jerry asked, entering the bathroom.
Her body was covered by a large white robe.
“You respect me and know I can handle whatever is going on.” She faced him without flinching.
He rested his hands on his hips, staring at her.
“Curse killed the man who attacked you. Dale Worthington has been wanted by a man I know. He’s not a very nice man, and Curse has taken the satisfaction out of killing him. He’s also fucked up a very important business deal for this man. Dale was the icing on top of the cake, so to speak. His death was supposed to be the gift that Frederick gave to this man. Dale is dead now, and my boss can’t offer his friend the gift. Do you get my meaning?” She got it. Dale was supposed to die, but only in the way that the other person chose. She listened to Jerry, knowing this wasn’t going to be the last she heard of it.
“So, Curse is in danger.”
“We’re waiting for one of his men to come and clean up the mess. It will be up to Frederick what he does with Curse and the Chaos Bleeds crew afterward.”
“They’re not nice people,” she asked, feeling childish.
“No, they’re not nice people, and Curse will do well to keep his head down for the time being.”
She stared at the box in her hands. “Will they hurt him?”
“Devil won’t let them hurt him. Chaos Bleeds are a crew, and they stick by each other. Whatever Frederick wants, he’ll get within reason. Just try to keep Curse out of danger. That man will do anything to protect you, and he’s more than happy to kill for you.”
“We’re only dating,” she said.
“Then you’re a fool. That man is in love with you. Open your eyes before you do something you’ll regret and do get him killed.”
Jerry left her alone. Staring at the closed door, her heart was pounding after his words. Curse loved her? Surely not, there was no way he could love her. They hadn’t been together all that long.
You’re in love with him.
Closing her eyes, she tried to stop herself from feeling the pain that the knowledge filled her with.