Page 56 of More Bite than Bark

“No more than five minutes of walking each hour, so take one of the golf carts to get around the compound or use your car.”Bones turned to look at Hex.“And if I find out you’re not helping her follow my restrictions, I’ll assign one of the prospects to stay with her all day every day to do it.”

Hex scowled at the other man but didn’t say anything.He would make sure she did what the doc said.He wasn’t willing to risk her in any way.But he didn’t like Bones feeling like he could threaten him.

“I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”He glanced between Elle and Bones.“Anything else I should watch for?”

Bones gave him a list of symptoms, as well as more directions for her care, then let them go.Hex took Elle’s hand and led her down the hall toward the common room.

“What do you want to do?”he asked.

“Rest.I wasn’t lying about my head feeling better, but I’m sleepy.But I don’t want to go to the house and be there alone.Even with one of the prospects outside.”

“What do you want?”

“To be where you are.I don’t care where that is, at the house, here or at the shop, I just want to be near you.”She reached down and took his hand, weaving her fingers through his.

When they reached the common room he paused and looked around.Most of the brothers were here.Wrath and Cyclone weren’t back yet but the rest of the crew that had ridden out to rescue Elle were.Depending on how difficult Harry was about the whole thing, there was no telling how long that exchange might take him.They could wait, but since Wrath had already guessed, he didn’t think it would be that big of deal.Plus, knowing Wrath, he’d make some smart-ass comment that Hex would have to hit him for.That wouldn’t be restful for Elle.

“Ready?”He looked down at Elle where she stood beside him.

She watched him for a second, then seemed to understand what he was asking.

“Ready.”

“Attention, Attention!”His voice got louder with each repeat.“Attention.”

Shadow seemed to realize that Hex was trying not to yell, he let out an ear-piercing whistle.The chatter from around the room died down and one by one, everyone’s attention, from brothers to Belles and even the few Angels hanging around the clubhouse, turned in their direction.

“Now that I have everyone’s attention,” Hex spoke, pitching his voice to carry.“We have an announcement.”

The room remained silent, waiting.

“We’re having a baby!I’m going to be a daddy!”

Cheers erupted around them, shouted congratulations, a few jokes about it not taking them long.Elle laughed along so he did his best not to knock out the ones who made not so nice comments, though he did glare at the ones he could figure did it.

Seeing they would be here a while, he led Elle to one of several seating areas, this one had a sofa and a recliner, there used to be two recliners here but one was now in his office.She liked that chair, which was why he chose these seats.

“Come on, sugar.You need to sit down.We’re probably close to your five-minute limit.Can I get you something to drink?”

“A glass of tea would be great.And is there anything around I can eat?”

“Of course, what do you feel like?If we don’t have it here, I’ll send someone to get whatever you want.”

Someone in the corner coughed something that sounded suspiciously like Pussy-whipped.Hex glanced in that direction and found Ryan, which told Hex he’d likely have a second prospect on shit duty soon.That worked for him.He could always find something unpleasant needing to be done.

When Elle told him what she wanted, he made sure Ryan went to get it.The kid would learn or he would be out on his ass.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Bythetimetheymade it back to the house, Elizabeth was dangerously close to being ready for bed.The day had ended up being far more taxing than she’d anticipated getting up this morning.As soon as they stepped in the door, she kicked her shoes of and stacked them next to the door.

“I saw you talking to Wrath when he got back.What did they do with Michael?”She could remember Kevin saying something about giving him to someone named Harry, but she had no clue who that was or what it would mean.

“Wrath turned him over to Harry the Horse.”

She wrinkled her nose.“You gave him to the bookie?”she wasn’t sure why they would do that but whatever.

“Wrath made a deal with Harry to give him Anderson, and in exchange, the bookie knows you, and any money that might come to Anderson because of you, are off limits.”