Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) 📕

When I was younger, mom always tried to hide the fact that Dad was in a motorcycle club and she wouldn’t tell me about the things he did. But I would overhear them fighting about it. I knew a long time ago what the club entailed. But I still loved my dad. I knew he wouldn’t do something if it didn’t warrant it.

As the thought dawns on me, I wonder how I can even think like that. Would my love change for him if I knew he killed someone? I’m not sure. Maybe. But then again, if Rogue had killed a man, the same one who tried to hurt me, I don’t think I’d be angry with him.

Devlin. His name is a memory in my mind. When he told me his real name, there was a rawness to his admission. When his dad saunters in, I draw my gaze up to meet his dark eyes. He looks so much like Rogue, only older, with gray in his dark hair. There are creases at his eyes and the corners of his mouth, hinting at his age.

“Thank you for being here, Trinity,” he says as he settles on the other side of me. I’m sandwiched between two strong men, both fatherly figures in my life. Even though I don’t know Rogue’s dad very well, there’s a kindness in his eyes.

I offer him a nod before answering, “I had to be.”

“I guess it’s time we officially met,” he tells me while holding out his hand. “I’m Breaker, otherwise known as Rogue’s dad.”

Accepting his offered hand, I can’t help but notice the strength in his grip. We shake, and I find myself smiling at him. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Snake stands, capturing my attention. “Smoke,” is the only thing he says and heads out the door, leaving me alone with Rogue’s dad. We sit in comfortable silence for a long while.

“He likes you,” he says from beside me, but he’s not looking at me. His attention is on the doors hiding his son from view. “I haven’t seen him so passionate about someone. There have been girls, but nobody who stuck around.” When those familiar dark eyes lock on me again, I see the honesty in his admission.

“I like him too,” I whisper as the tears once again burn as they threaten to fall. I’ve allowed my emotions to show today for the first time in a long while. “I haven’t ever had someone who was there for me. I mean, someone who wasn’t my folks. Larkin is my best friend, but guys have always been a mystery to me. My focus was on school.”

“And that’s a good thing,” Breaker says with a nudge of my shoulder. “Don’t throw your future away for anyone. Not even my son. There’s always time for falling in love, but your educational future is more important.”

“What if the future includes love?” I ask. “I’m not saying I love him, but I do care about him a lot more than I figured I would.”

Breaker looks over at me, a small grin tilting his lips. “Is that because you thought he was dying, or because there are true emotions in your heart?”

For a moment, I ponder the question. “Can it be a mixture of both? Because when you care about someone, doesn’t your pain force you to realize just how much they mean to you?” I challenge. There were times my dad would end up in the emergency room, and Mom would be beside herself. It was the only way I knew they still loved each other. Most other times, they would be at each other’s throats over some thing or the other.

“You’re very perceptive,” Breaker says. “There are times—”

The doors whoosh open, interrupting him as the doctor heads our way. Both of us rise to meet the woman who looks to be about my mom’s age. Her hair is covered by a light blue cap, and she’s still wearing scrubs.

“Mr. Murphy?”

“Yes,” Breaker says, his voice tight with anxiousness as we stand side by side. His hand finds mine, and I swallow back the lump in my throat at the action.

“Your son is out of immediate danger, but we would like to keep him here for a few days to watch him. The bullet missed his lung by a few millimeters, it was close.” She glances between us and offers me a small smile. “Also, he’s still asleep, but you’re welcome to go in and see him. He will most probably hear you but can’t respond just yet.”

“Can she come in with me?” Breaker asks, looking at me before meeting the questioning gaze of the doctor.

“Usually it’s only immediate—”

“She’s his girlfriend, and I’d like her there,” he insists, which has the doctor nodding slowly. “Thank you.” She turns, gesturing for us to follow. With a quick glance over my shoulder, I lock my gaze on Snake, who’s watching with curiosity burning in his green eyes.

The beep of machines pierces my ears when we step into the room. Sunshine streams through the slats of the blinds, and when I look to the bed, my breath catches at seeing Rogue lying there plugged into a machine which is helping him breathe.

“Are you okay with this?” Breaker asks, looking down at me, his brows furrowing together. “I shouldn’t have assumed you wanted to be here. I’m sorry.”

“No, I do. I mean, I’m fine. I just . . .” My words trail off as I try to find the words, but I can’t. My lungs struggle to pull in air as I look at the man who’s holding onto my hand as if he needs me here more than I need to be here.

“Then we’ll do this together.” His assurance calms my erratic heartbeat as we walk toward the bed. I’m not sure I can do this, but when I near Rogue and see the scars on his hands and arms, I want nothing more than to heal him, to be there for him.

His