Page 41 of Echoes of Obsession
“Give her some ibuprofen to help with the pain and swelling,” Doc adds, ignoring our banter. “Other than that, I don’t think a hospital visit is in order unless her pain gets worse. I would suggest taking some pictures so that you have proof, though. Preferably before they start healing. If you need anything else, just tell Venom. Most of the time, I’m listening behind his eyes.”
“Thank you for your help, Doc,” Ghost says.
“Sorry we had to meet like this,” Doc tells me. “Maybe next time we can sit and chat for a bit. Ghost, I promised the little one you would buy fried chicken for dinner.”
“Thank you, Doc,” I sniff.
The next thing I know, Doc’s entire body shifts, and the look in his eyes changes from kind and concerned to downright enraged.
“Xander,” Ghost says. “You coming to help?”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The English accent is replaced by a silky smooth American one with perfect enunciation.
“Hello, sweetheart,” he tells me. “I’m Xander. Venom will take a backseat this evening, but he wants you to know that everything will be okay. We will never let something like this happen to your daughter again. I’ll gather everyone up, Ghost.”
“What just happened?” I ask when the man leaves the room.
“Xander probably pushed his way forward without telling Venom,” Ghost says. “He’s just the one we need for tonight. Let’s go, baby.”
My head feels fuzzy as I take a stumbling step forward.
“Are you alright?” Ghost asks, concern heavy in his voice.
“Yeah,” I croak. “I just want to hold my daughter.”
By the time we reach the lounge, it’s filled with men in leather biker vests. Every single person looks as intimidating as a man can get.
“We’ll be back soon, baby,” Ghost says, kissing me softly. “Take care of our girl while I’m away.”
Turning to the crowd, he says loudly, “Someone has harmed our little Dove. It doesn’t matter why it was done. It doesn’t matter who did it. It doesn’t matter if it was a slap or a severe beating. The fact of the matter is that someone touched what belongs to us. One of our most precious members. And for that, they will pay.”
The room bursts out in cheers.
“Tonight, we will not kill this person,” Ghost continues. “It will only cause suspicion towards my woman because of her custody battle. But we will give him a good old-fashioned Obsidian warning. Vest up, brothers. Tonight, we ride. Pops, you take lead. We’re not going out tonight as a club. We’re going out as a family protecting its own.”
Again, the room lights up with cheers as everyone heads out the door.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” I say before Ghost leaves.
“Baby, you were gearing up to shoot the bastard,” he reminds me.
“Yes, and that may have been a hasty decision.”
“No one touches our girl and walks away unscathed,” he growls. “He may not die tonight, but he will learn a lesson hewon’t soon forget. Love you, babe. Stay in the building until I return.”
With that, he turns to leave.
“Don’t worry,” Knox says. “They’ll make sure he never touches her again.”
“King is with them,” Maddy adds. “He knows ways to scare someone to death. He lives for this type of thing.”
“With Xander being in control, he might try to kill your ex,” Sophie points out. “Xander and King alone would scare the man within an inch of his life. But he’s about to have the full force of the Obsidians at his doorstep. He might die from the sight alone. Come on, the girls are asking to watch a movie.”
“Did he just tell me that he loves me?” I ask out loud, knowing everyone has already left the room.
Deciding to push those confusing feelings to the back of my head, I turn and find my daughter and friends.