Fuse's Hold by E.C. Land (books for students to read TXT) 📕

you were mine, Ly, so will you take what belongs to you and wear it for me?” In front of me is Fuse holds a property cut with my name on the front of it.

If my jaw could have dropped to the floor at that moment, I know it would be lying on the carpet of his room rather than be attached to my face. The serious yet affectionate look on Fuse’s face says it all. The way he didn’t try to take from me after he’d caught me in the middle of trying to find a release but instead gave me what I needed. I’ve been in love with him from the first day I saw him. Hell, I’d slept in the same bed with him at that rinky-dink motel when Faith and I went looking for Axel after finding him again.

Pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth, I slowly nod my head.

“Need you to use words, ma douce,” he murmurs.

Suckin’ in a breath, I give him what he needs. “Yes,” I whisper.

“Then come here,” he commands gently, and I go to him.

My leg is still somewhat sore and I need to put on the boot. Fuse must see me wince because the instant I’m in his arms, he lifts me clear off my feet and sits down on the bed, cradling my entire body to him.

“You my woman?” he rasps.

This I’ve wanted for a long time.

“I want to be,” I say honestly.

“You’re my woman,” he declares.

“But . . . I’m damaged. They . . . they made sure of that.” I’m unable to keep the tears from choking me as the damn things start to fill my eyes because of my freaking emotions going into override mode.

“Lyrica, baby, you are anything but damaged. I’m not gonna have you thinking that shit about yourself. I don’t see you that way. Neither do any of my brothers. Those fuckers may have hurt you, but they sure as fuck didn’t do a damn fuckin’ thing but see to their own demise coming their way very soon,” Fuse sneers.

Oh My.

Um.

Wow.

I can’t argue with him on this, considering the tone of his voice says it all. He’s not going to allow me to think badly of myself.

Hell, the man seems to always know when I’m going to take a shower and I can’t do as I normally would and scrub my skin raw. Then he’d see this. I’m betting he knows about it. That’s why he’s always here when it’s that time for me. That and when I seem to start falling down that hole into dark thoughts. Either him, Tyres, or even Brake are here to talk to me and help me work through the darkness.

Sighing, I give Fuse a nod of my head.

“Ly, you know I want the words. A nod can mean fuckin’ anything, but the tone of your voice says it all for me.” Of course, he’d say something like this he’s smart as hell on top of being extremely muscular.

“I believe you,” I mutter, leaning into him more, giving him my weight.

“Good, now let’s get you dressed, fed, and on the way. Soon as the boot comes off your leg, I’ll take you out on the bike.” At this, I perk up. I love being on his bike. I thought of getting one for myself and that it would be fun. “Oh, and just to let you know, baby, afterward we’re gonna go visit Noé and the others.”

Damn.

I love the guys at the tattoo shop, but I’d yet to go back there or even see them.

I’m not sure this is gonna be a good idea, but I trust Fuse to not let anything happen and, in an extension, his brothers.

“Watch, babe, he’s about to knock the fucker out,” Pipe mutters from one side of me.

We’d been at the fights for a while and I’m bouncing in my seat watching the two contenders go at each other. Fuse’s match is up next, and he was getting ready with the help of Breaker and Pitch Black.

While he did that, I got to stand between Pipe and Tyres. Brake stood behind me and several of the others stood surrounding us. Chains stood on the other side of Tyres, the two of them speaking about something I can’t hear. Not that I’m even listening. The crowd is loud as the one beefy-looking dude does exactly what Pipe said would happen. He knocked his opponent clear the fuck out.

A man climbs in the ring, raises the hand of the winner, and that’s the end of that as the crowd screams even louder.

I’d been weary when we’d first gotten here, considering I was dressed in a hoodie, jeans, and had the damn boot on my foot. I could at least be grateful I’m not on crutches anymore. However, seeing the way most of the women here were scantily clad with barely anything being left to the imagination, I felt way overdressed.

Fuse, of course, being intuitive to my emotions or whatnot, told me straight up those bitches are nothing but pussy to be used up by the men here if that’s what the men wanted. I wasn’t here to be any of those things. I was here to watch my man as he put it beat the hell out of someone and win his fight.

I didn’t know all he meant, but as I watch this match, I got it. Pipe explained some of it to me.

The crowd didn’t have to wait long before the next match started as the man in the ring announces Fuse’s opponent. My heart begins beating wildly at the sight of the massive man. But it’s not the size of him that freaks me out, it’s who he is.

Reaching out for Tyres’ arm, I tap him without taking my eyes off the guy and the fact he’s giving me a deadly look.

“Babe, what is it?” Tyres asks, wrapping an arm over my shoulders to speak in my ear