Snake's Addiction(22)

“Judi should be getting out in a couple of days.”

“What about their kid?”

“They’ll have to visit him. Most parents end up being discharged before the child. He’s doing well though, strong. I asked one of the nurses about him. He’s a fighter.”

“He’s part of Chaos Bleeds. We’re all fighters in our own way.” Not all of the members had come from a good family, with morals inbuilt into them like a second skin. Some of them came from shit homes, or foster homes, where they were used to fighting for their lives.

Snake, he was used to fighting for his life. Earning his keep on the streets and hurting anyone who stepped in his way. Devil had found him in the streets, too skinny to really fight, eating out of a damned trash bin. Running away from home had been better than taking another of his parents’ beatings they liked to give him. Both of his parents liked to hit out at him, use him for sport to see how long he’d survive.

He hated them, and when he’d gotten fit and well, his parents had been his first real kill. Both of them had been shocked, pissing themselves.

Pulling up into the clubhouse, he pulled the keys out after parking up. He helped Jessica out of the car. She wasn’t wearing any of those crazy assed shoes that women liked to wear. Her pumps went with the nurse’s scrub outfit.

She followed him around to the back, grabbing a box as he did the same. Closing the trunk, he took the lead heading into the house.

Pussy was sitting at the bar nursing a beer.

“What’s going on?” he asked. It was past six in the evening, but seeing Pussy look sad was a big deal. Out of all of the brothers, Pussy was known as the joker, rarely taking anything seriously.

“Not a lot. I was a fucking idiot, and I had to take Sasha to the hospital today for a fucking cast.”

“Wait? What?” Snake asked.

“Yep. I’d moved the coffee table because my smokes had fallen underneath it. I moved it three inches. I forgot to tell her or put it back. She fell on the glass, cutting herself and breaking her damned arm.” Pussy took another sip of his beer.

“I’m sorry, man,” Snake said, slapping his friend on the back.

Sasha was Pussy’s old lady, but she was also blind. It had happened when she lived at home with her stepfather. He’d slammed her against a wall, then thrown her downstairs in the effort to kill her. Sasha was blinded instead of dead. The doctors were at odds with each other over her condition. Some believe she’d get her eyesight back, while other remained convinced it would be permanent.

“Would you like me to take a look at the cast?” Jessica said, stepping forward.

“Nope. She’s fine, just resting. Unless you can give me a cure for her fucking sight, I don’t give a shit about anything else.” There was a whine underneath Pussy. Snake glanced down to see Sasha’s guide dog, resting his head on Pussy’s lap. It was almost as if the dog knew Pussy was punishing himself. “It’s okay, boy. I wouldn’t have her any other way. You know that.”

Pussy loved Sasha. He’d fought for her and been willing to walk away from the club to be with her. It looked like Pussy was having a hard time dealing with how delicate her condition was. Snake had watched as Pussy walked her around the clubhouse for days, getting her used to the layout of the place. No one moved shit unless Sasha was around. Even Dick didn’t mess with the place.

“Come on. We’ll take these up to their room.”

He left Pussy to drink away his own guilt.

“Will he be okay?” she asked.

“Time will tell. I can’t say for sure if any of us will ever really be okay with Sasha.” Devil hadn’t wanted her in the club, but it looked like even the Prez had taken a shine to her. Sasha was part of the club whether they liked it or not. Snake liked her. She was fun and hadn’t let what the past did to her affect who she was.

They made their way upstairs.

“I know a little about Sasha’s circumstances. When I’m next at work I could make a few calls. I’m not saying that it’ll make a difference, but someone might have answers where others have failed.”

He opened Ripper’s door, leading the way in. “I’d appreciate that. The club would appreciate that. Sasha’s an old lady, and she’s part of the club.”

Placing the box on the floor, he opened it up, and started to arrange stuff around the room. Jessica did the same. He didn’t like the way she was making him feel right at that moment.

They worked without speaking, yet he was aware of her every move. The way she walked past him. The scent of strawberries surrounded her, driving him crazy.