ZERO(The Skulls, 6)(60)

“I know it’s going to take me a lifetime to prove my love, and I’ll do it.” He tugged her close, and she had no choice but to sit on his lap. “When you were hurt, I didn’t want to leave the hospital. You being killed would hurt me more than anything. I can’t live without you.”

She caressed his hands where they covered her stomach. “I love you, Zero.”

Resting her head against him, she closed her eyes.

“You own my heart.” They stayed on the bed until Nash walked into the room. He was pale. His shirt was covered in blood, and his eyes were bloodshot.

“I want to hurt him, and I want to hurt you. I know she’s been targeted because of you, but you’re my brother and I know your heart lies elsewhere,” Nash said.

Prue’s eyes filled with tears at the anguish on his face.

“I will not raise a daughter alone. You will find this fucker, and you will kill him. Ten years ago you started something, and now you’re going to finish it, or I swear to God, Zero, I will end you.”

Tiny was standing behind the other man.

“I’m sorry,” Zero said.

She felt him tense up, and she stared at Nash knowing his words meant nothing to him.

“I don’t give a fuck about what you’ve got to say. The only way to make this up to me is by getting this fucker and hurting him.” Nash turned to Tiny. “There, I’ve said my piece.”

“We’re a club, Nash. The club takes care of its own,” Tiny said.

Prue saw the other man was tense ready to hold Nash back.

“It’s easy for you to say. Eva is still safe with your kids.” Nash spoke the words with a sneer.

“Zero accepted you back even though you were fucking high. You took drugs and risked the safety of the whole fucking club. You almost killed Eva when you were fucking high,” Tiny said. “You want to fight, then you can fight afterward. Right now, we band the fuck together and fight this new enemy.” Tiny reached out pushing Nash against the wall. “Am I fucking clear?”

“Crystal fucking clear,” Nash said.

“You want to leave the club, tell me now. We’re in this together. I’m here for you all. I’m not going to let you fuck up a club brother because your woman is fighting for her life. We handle our battles when everyone is safe.”

Zero’s hands tightened around her.

“I don’t want to leave the club. I want to get to my woman. Can I leave now?” Nash asked.

Several seconds passed before Tiny let the other man go. She watched Nash leave without another word.

Tiny let out a sigh. “You’re going to need to bring the men proof Alan’s dead.”

“I will.”

“Wow, I thought my club was full of fucking drama,” Devil said. “You guys are fucking magnets for trouble.”

“Shut the fuck up, Devil,” Tiny said.

Zero held her tightly.

“We’re not leaving yet.” Tiny ran fingers through his hair. “Everything is so fucked up. We’re staying to make sure Sophia is okay.”

“How is Angel?” Prue asked.

“Still in a coma. The doctors are hopeful that she’ll wake up soon.” Tiny paced the room, looking at the bottom of the bed.

“We’ll stay here. Will you give us an update on what’s happening to Sophia?” Zero asked.

“Yes.”

Seconds later they were alone. The room was deadly silent. She got up from his lap and closed the door to their room. Opening the bathroom door she checked to make sure it was clear.

“Alan lurks everywhere. He’s a fucking nightmare.” She folded her arms over her chest, staring at her man. “So, I, you, and Angel have been shot. He tortured and killed the nurse you slept with. Sophia is more personal and been stabbed. Is this some kind of pattern?”

Zero turned on the bed to face her. “I don’t know. I stabbed him multiple times, and I sure as fuck hurt him.”

She saw him look down at the picture they had of him lurking in the shadows.

“Why wait ten years?” he asked.

“You fucked him up. It takes time to mend broken bones. You don’t know the extent of the damage you inflicted. He’s been waiting and mending himself,” Prue said. She had thought long and hard about why Alan was waiting ‘til now.

“He can hurt the whole of the club before he gives up.” Zero put the picture on the bed, returning his attention back to her.

“Do you really think he’s not going to get bored until all of us are dead?”

“I really don’t know. This is more than I thought he was capable of,” Zero said.

“Where do you think he’s going to go next?” she asked, stepping closer.