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

“You’re not well.”

“I know, and I think if your lips touched mine, I’d possibly heal far quicker than anyone anticipates,” Devlin taunts me, tugging me until our faces are inches apart. “Come on, little spy, you know you can’t resist my charm.”

“You’re far too confident.”

“That’s why you like me.” And then his lips are on mine, and time stills. I can’t focus on anything other than the feel of his warm lips on mine, the way his tongue delves into my mouth, seeking more, tasting me just like I’m devouring him. A groan of pleasure rumbles in his throat, and I have to pull away because if I spend another moment kissing him, I’m certain these machines will explode. “There. I feel so much better now.”

“You’re impossible.” I laugh just as the door opens, and Breaker saunters in with a mug of coffee for me, and he sees his son.

“You’re awake.”

“Just opened my eyes and found this beauty staring at me,” Rogue tells his dad.

Breaker hands me my coffee before settling in the chair on the other side of his son’s bed. “You’re a lucky man. She hasn’t left your side since they allowed us to visit.” His dark eyes find mine, and the smile on his lips tells me he’s happy I’m here for his son. Thankfully, one of our parents is happy.

“I should go shower and freshen up,” I tell them. “I’ll leave you both to it.” I turn and head for the door, feeling both their gazes burning into my back.

“You’re coming back, right?” Rogue queries, his voice croaky. The huskiness trickling over me, and I stop to glance over my shoulder at him. Those deep brown, almost-black eyes lock on mine.

“Yes, I’ll be back.” He seems happy with my response, and I leave them, shutting the door behind me. In the hallway, I find a few of the guys. Most of them have left, but there are still a handful keeping watch. Turns out the man who shot Rogue is still out there, which doesn’t bode well for my anxiety. The thought of him coming here to finish what he started makes me nervous.

Snake walks in, my mother beside him as I near the exit. “Darling,” he greets, pulling me into a hug. “How is he?”

My gaze flicks between Mom and Snake before I respond, “He’s awake. In pain, but he’ll be okay, I’m sure.”

He nods. “Good. I’ll talk to Breaker. I’ll see you later, little miss,” Snake tells me before giving me a wink and leaving me with my mother. It’s the first time in a couple of days since we’ve been alone, in the same vicinity, and my stomach twists with uncertain anxiety.

“Are you coming home?”

“I thought I wasn’t allowed home.” I can’t help but remember my mother’s words. I walked out, and I didn’t look back. The moment I did, I wasn’t sure if I would speak to her again, yet I can’t deny I would miss her if she weren’t here. Just like I miss my dad.

“I was angry.”

“You’ve been angry for a long time, Mom,” I tell her, the honesty causing my throat to tighten, my voice to crack on the last few words. Emotion burns my eyes when I recall what she said to me. “I’m staying at the clubhouse. Snake said I could stay as long as I need.”

“And that’s where you want to stay?” she asks, shock lacing her tone. She knows that Snake is like a second father to me, and I know that she has some strange connection to him. I just never figured it out. When Dad was still here, they would hang out together, drinking and partying, but the moment Dad left, something shifted between Snake and my mother.

“It’s where I think I need to be,” I respond. “For now.” Even though I’m unsure of the future, of what my relationship with my mother will be, perhaps space will allow me to see it more clearly. Anger shouldn’t be what causes decisions to be made, and I wish I could change what happened, what she said, but I can’t. And if I had the choice again, I’d walk out and come to Rogue time and again.

“I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it,” I tell her. “I need to make my own mistakes, Mom. And I need you to understand that.” She looks at me, her hazel eyes softening for a moment before she glances over my shoulder. When I look at what’s caught her gaze, I find Snake standing in the hallway watching us.

“I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes I made,” she finally responds, catching my attention, bringing it back to her. “But I understand. Your home will always be there when you’re ready to come back.” She spins on her heel, leaving me watching her retreating form.

“Don’t let her worry you,” Snake says when he rejoins me. Standing side by side, his presence calms me somewhat. “She’s just trying to be a good mom.”

I want so much to ask him about their connection, their relationship, but in that moment, I let it slide, just for now. “Can you take me back to the clubhouse? I’d like to shower and change.”

“Yeah, sure, darlin’,” he tells me before he heads off to let the guys know we’re leaving. I’ll be back here soon, and I need to think about what Rogue said about wanting me. If he meant it, I know we’ll have a lot of obstacles in our way before we get to any form of a relationship.

And I’m willing to take the chance. For him, I’ll do it.

15

Rogue

“Fuck!” The pain shoots through my chest, my stomach, and down my left arm. The bastard got me good. My bedroom door flies open, and there, standing on the threshold looking like a deer caught in headlights, is my girl.

“What’s wrong?”

Rolling my eyes, I grit