Page 97 of The Devil's Revelation
I believe him. Sometimes you just have to go with your heart, and this is definitely one of those times.
Neither of us say anything else until I finally drift back to sleep. This time, I’m not scared to close my eyes because I know Torque will be here when I wake up.
Except it’s the sound of hushed, angry voices that wake me next. I open my eyes to see Zeb standing at the end of the bed, looking furious, with Torque standing in front of him, looking pissed too. Bullet is standing off to the side, watching this standoff cautiously, while Rose is sitting in the chair by my bed, cool as a cucumber with a book in her hand.
She senses my gaze on her and winks. She quickly cocks her head towards Zeb, and then dramatically mouths, “Hot!” before fanning her face with the book.
I chuckle, which alerts everyone else I’m awake. “Izzy,” Zeb says gruffly, ignoring everyone else and rushing towards me.
He looks exhausted, but relief is clear in his eyes as he looks me over. “Hey, Zeb,” I rasp, throat dry.
“Here, honey,” Rose says helpfully, putting a straw to my mouth. I gulp down the water gratefully.
“Thanks.” I look back at Zeb. “Why are you yelling at my boyfriend, Zeb?”
His eyes narrow to slits, and temper fills his eyes. “Why the hell do you think, missy?” he growls at me. “I get here and find out you’re in the damn hospital because some lunatic with an agenda injected you with enough drugs to kill a damn elephant. After you told me not even twenty four hours ago that everything was fine. You’re lucky I don’t put you over my knee, little girl.”
“Back off,” Torque hisses at him, coming to the other side of the bed by my head.
“Oh stop it, both of you,” I growl at them when they glare at each other. “Zeb, I didn’t tell you shit because I didn’t want you to freak out. It’s not Torque’s fault I’m here.”
“Not from where I’m sitting,” Zeb says darkly. “You were in his clubhouse when this happened. On your own.”
“After I told him that I wanted to go to bed alone,” I say sharply. “I wanted time to myself, and that is not Torque’s fault. It’s no one’s fault except whoever gave me the drugs and the club is working to figure out who it is.”
“The club?” he sneers.
“Yes,” I say firmly. “Don’t get up on your high horse, asshole. You work with more than your fair share of bikers back home at your shop, and these guys are a hell of a lot better than most of them. They have been nothing but kind and welcoming to me. I have a new job because of them, where I’m treated equally and not because I have tits and a vagina.” He winces at that, but I ignore him and push on. “They didn’t blink an eye when I went to them for help. Most people would have figured I was lying or told me to go to the cops. You know and I both know it.”
“I’ll concede on that,” he admits reluctantly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be safer back home with me. I’ll hire extra security and you can work in the shop.”
“No,” Torque says fiercely.
I turn my head to glare at him. He clenches his jaw but says nothing else. I look back at Zeb. “I’m not going anywhere, Zeb. I have Torque here, and new friends. I’m also not bringing this mess to your doorstep.”
Zeb growls low in his throat, thrusting a hand through his hair. “I don’t like this, Izzy.”
“And I do?” I say sarcastically.
“You know what I mean, smartass,” he gripes. “You know you’re a daughter to me. I don’t have kids, and as much as you’re a sassy pain in my ass, I’m not about to sit back and just accept you’re safe without making sure of it myself.”
I swallow the emotion in my throat as his words. “And you’re like a father to me too, you cranky old bastard,” I say huskily. “So I need you to promise me you’re going to give Torque and the MC a chance and play nice. They’re important to me.”
Zeb grumbles under his breath until finally he nods and looks at Torque. He gives him a hard look. “You hurt her and I’ll kill you,” he warns darkly.
“Zeb,” I bark in exasperation.
“It’s fine, Izzy,” Torque says, brushing my cheek with his finger gently. He looks at Zeb and says seriously. “I love her and I’m going to make sure she never wants for anything. I’m also going to find this son of a bitch and make him pay. I hope you’ll grow to like me eventually, seeing as I’m not going anywhere, but if not, then I hope we can be cordial for Izzy’s sake.”
Zeb is quiet for a moment. Finally he groans. “Damn it.” He looks at me. “He the one you want?” I nod, smiling. “And I can kick his ass if he hurts you?”
“You’ll have to get in line behind his mother and I first,” I joke with a nod at Rose.
Rose gives him a little finger wave when he looks her way. Bullet gives a growl on the other side of the room, which only makes Rose’s smile widen. “I’m sure we can find a space for you at the front of the line, handsome,” Rose coos shamelessly.
“I’ll be the one kicking ass if you don’t stop that right now, woman,” Bullet barks irritably at Rose.
Zeb smirks. “I’d fight him for you, darlin’,” he flirts.
