His face scrunches up. “Fuck that, I ain’t touchin’ that shit.”

“Don’t be such a fuckin’ pussy, hold it.”

Jax snorts from behind me, and I glare at him.

“Boss, seriously, you want us to touch his fuckin’ dick.”

“Someone needs to so I can make sure I get it right off.”

“No!” Trigg screams, twisting and turning.

“Shut the fuck up,” I bark at him. “Come on you pussies, hold his fuckin’ dick.”

“You hold it then,” Colt says, walking over. “I’ll cut it.”

“Fuck that, I need this satisfaction.”

They shake their heads, putting their hands up. “Then you hold it, boss.”

“Bunch of girls!” I mutter staring down at Trigg. “I’m not touchin’ his cock.”

“I have a better idea,” Coby says.

I turn in time to see him pull a blowtorch off the wall, and light it. My grin is wide.

“Good choice, boy.”

CHAPTER 20

MEADOW

There’s enough room in my heart for you, come in, I’ll welcome two.

That night, after Lady comes in and helps me shower, I cry myself into exhaustion. She tried to give me some food, but my stomach couldn’t handle it, so with a kiss to the head and whispered sorry, she left. I know she’s blaming herself, and maybe when my emotions aren’t so shaken I’ll tell her it wasn’t her fault. It was no one’s fault, except maybe mine, for accepting the drink so easily.

I clutch Axel’s jacket to my chest, breathing in the smell of leather mixed with that smell that is all Axel’s. I haven’t heard from him. It’s been more than five hours, and I’ve not heard anything. It’s early hours, now, and I’m still listening for that rumble of his Harley-Davidson. I can’t hear it. Is he hurt? Or worse? My heart pounds angrily in my chest, and I try to do anything to take my mind off it.

My phone vibrates beside me, and I peer down at it. The number on the screen is Cobra’s. My heart nearly leaps out of my throat, and my entire body stiffens. Why would Cobra be texting me? He would never text me...unless...with trembling hands, I open the message and read what he’s written.

C - Boss is on his way. He’s in bad shape. I know you’re fucked right now, but he needs you. Take care of him. Yeah?

I feel sudden relief flood my system, and I quickly reply.

M - I promise.

A moment later my phone beeps again.

C - You doin’ ok?

My heart swells that one of these guys, one of these brothers, would even ask me such a thing.

M - I’m doin’ ok.

I smile at the response I get, because I can imagine Cobra saying it.

C - Well, alrighty then.

I listen for Axel’s bike for a long, long time. Three hours later, I hear the rumble as it comes to a stop outside of Lady’s house. I get out of my bed, and with shaky legs I walk out of my door and to the top of the steps. I hear the front door slam, and when I see Axel, I gasp. Lady walks out, and she does the same, stopping in her tracks.

He’s got blood all over him.

I mean...all over him.

His hair is messy, his face is gritty, and there’s blood on his cheeks, on his hands, on his arms, on his shirt, and on his jeans. Lady covers her mouth, and he gives her a sad expression, then he turns and looks up at me. The pain and utter exhaustion I see in his eyes makes my heart ache. He takes a step toward me, and then doesn’t stop until he’s a step down.

Looking up at me, I can see something I’ve never seen in Axel’s eyes before.

It’s need.

He needs me.

He drops his head forward into my belly, and I react by wrapping my arms around it, holding him to me. I try to ignore the smell of burned flesh on his clothing because I know Axel doesn’t cuddle, but this is his way of showing me that he just needs me with him, and I need to be there. I stroke his hair, ignoring the blood there, and when he lifts his head, I reach out and take his hand, walking us to the shower.

The moment we get in, I turn and take hold of his shirt, slowly lifting it over his head. He works with me, lifting his arms when I need. I move to his jeans next, trying to ignore the mass amounts of blood on them. I unbuckle his belt, and then I slide it out of the loops before unbuttoning him and lowering his jeans. When he’s naked before me, I quickly strip out of my own clothes.

I don’t take my eyes off his.

I take his hand, and pull him into the shower the moment I’m naked. The first thing I do is fill my palms with soap and begin lathering it over his skin, taking extra long on the bits coated in dried blood. The bubbles foam red, and I feel my stomach turn, but I don’t stop. I rub until there’s nothing left, and all the blood has washed down the drain. Then, I reach up with a palm full of shampoo, and I begin to lather his head. He puts his palms on the wall in front of him, and drops his head, closing his eyes.

I finish up, and then I slowly turn him around, and tuck myself into his chest. He doesn’t put his arms around me, because Axel doesn’t hug. It doesn’t matter, though; he’s letting me hold onto him, which I know we both need. He lowers his mouth to my ear, and in a crackly voice, he rasps, “He bled for you, and anyone who ever hurts you again will bleed for you.”

~*~*~*~

I stare down at Axel as he sleeps, knowing he’s exhausted. He’s on his back, with his hands up near the pillows. He’s breathing deeply, and I know he needs this rest.