Page 9 of The Crowing of Hell

“We’ll see,” Rooster said as he let himself out.

Rooster wasn’t sure if Kendara was flirting with him or not. His radar had broken the day he lost his leg—and his confidence. And from what Mac had told him last night, Kendara was a powerful lawyer, gaining a well-earned reputation as a bulldog. A woman like Kendara wouldn’t want a cripple like him.

Now, having put himself in a bad mood, Rooster headed home. Tiny had converted his basement into a gym as Rooster had refused to workout at Tiny’s place. Rooster didn’t want people pitying him and watching him or laughing.

No, once he had got his prosthetic, and it was the best that Phoe could buy, Rooster had begun learning to walk with the damn thing. He’d pushed his limits daily, burning through the pain with a determination that had worried his brothers and frightened the old ladies. Not that they’d said anything. But everyonewatched him intensely and found ways to interrupt him when they believed he needed to rest.

They weren’t there at night when his boys were asleep though, or when the nightmares threatened to choke him. He’d work out for hours on his legs, ignoring his stump when blisters formed, his skin was rubbed raw, and it bled. Finally, Clio, of all people, had realised what he was doing and sent his brothers one by one to watch him. They got him through the bad dreams and the day terrors.

Loud noises made him jump or duck for cover. A car backfiring had caused Rooster to curl into a ball in the garage and another one had him taking Celt down and covering Celt with his body. PTSD was something that Rooster and Clio would fight daily. But like Clio, Rooster realised, it’s how you handled shit that mattered. Approaching Janet, their therapist, for support was a huge step, and one Rooster had embraced.

He didn’t see a stigma in getting help. And he ensured he and the boys had therapy once a week together, as well as his own personal appointments. Kit, Finn, and Brax had suffered too. And Rooster wanted to ensure that shit did not escape in the form of drugs or drinks. His sons would have a good future, Rooster was paying the price for them to walk and breathe freely. And he didn’t begrudge a bit of it.

Rooster swung off the bike outside his house and headed inside. His thoughts needed hammering out of his head, and he had the gym equipment in there to deal with it.

Kendara

I looked up as Mac and Casey appeared at my door with Lindsey in tow. Lindsey was carrying Blue and promptly walked over and placed him on the bed. The little guy I’d suffered so much for gave me a sloppy kiss and grin and curled into me. Luckily, it was my good side.

“How you feeling?” Casey demanded before anyone else spoke.

“Better for seeing him, he’s getting so big!” I exclaimed, even though I’d only seen Blue a week ago.

“Takes after his dada,” Mac added, puffing out his chest.

Casey sent him a dark glare. “Certainly, with his eating habits.”

“Hey!” Mac exclaimed, wounded.

I hid a smile. Casey was always complaining about how much Mac and Blue ate, although she wouldn’t change a thing. But Mac ate big, and Blue was following in his footsteps.

“Are you here to spring me?” I asked hopefully.

“Nope. You’ve got another day at least; the doctor wants to monitor the head-wound. But someone will pick you up tomorrow,” Lindsey said.

“That sucks.” I pouted.

“Yeah, but the good news is, there are lots ofprezzies and cards in the truck. Mac, go and collect them, please,” Casey asked sweetly, and Mac sent her a suspicious look.

Casey held onto her innocent expression until Mac left the room. Then, before I could blink, Casey and Lindsey faced me with expectant faces.

“Rooster,” Casey stated.

“That man is a total hunk,” Lindsey added.

“Sex appeal oozes from him,” Casey continued.

“Oh boy, if I didn’t have Lowrider, then…” Lindsey made a mmm, mmm, mmm noise.

They both turned to her and stared.

“What?” I asked, wondering if I had something on my nose; they were so intent.

“Rooster!” Lindsey exclaimed.

“Yes, he saved me,” I replied, puzzled. What were they getting at?

“Honey, he came to see you today. A nurse told Mac,” Casey said.