MC: Brighton (10 page)

I laugh and, fuck, that feels good. “Saw that, babe. You hit him good.” She nods and closes her eyes with the smile still on her lips. She fought back, probably for the first time in her life, but she did it. She’ll never forget it. She fought back. I sit down, smiling. My girl is a fighter. I knew she was. No one could live through what she has and not be. She came away from him broken but built a business and started living again. I knew there was fight in her.

Danny knocks and walks in, staying just inside the door. Something is wrong. I let penny’s hand go and go over to him. “Baxters’ office was hit with a bomb this morning. Jake’s downstairs. He was caught by a steel door.”

Fuck! “Is he okay?”

“He’s still unconscious, but Mitch says he’ll be fine. He’s cut up pretty bad. They were still working on him when I got here.”

“Shit, is there anything I can do to help? If Mitch is here, they might need IT help.” I wish I had my laptop.

He smiles. “The compound has a whole office of IT that can handle what they need. You need to keep our girl straight right now. Kate thinks she may go back into her shell if you give her that option. She said don’t give her that option.” He’s watching me with that intense look.

I smile. “No, I think she’ll be okay. She fought him and she’s proud of herself for it. I think she’s good.”

He laughs. “Fuckin’ women. When you think this is the one that’s going to break them, they come back stronger.”

“Yeah. She’s strong.” I’m so fuckin proud of her for not giving up.

“Cloud has Neil bringing the twins and Tess up. He’ll come here first, then bring them down to Jake. Pres will have the paperwork for Penny to be transported to the city. Neil will be flying us all back. Cloud will be taking Jake and the Baxters’ home. With what happened at their office Jamie wants Mitch on the military chopper.”

“Yeah, that’s probably best and there’s no threat to Penny anymore.”

“You okay with what happened?” He looks concerned.

“Yeah, I did what needed to be done. I can’t say I’m happy or broken up about it. I don’t feel anything for the pussy one way or the other.” Shouldn’t I feel something? Now that I said it out loud it sounds bad.

He’s watching me with that eye. “That’s how it is for some of us. For me it just is what it is. I don’t feel the need to analyze it, so it just goes away. If it’s not working for you, you let me or Rich know.”

“Yeah. I feel better knowing it’s okay not to feel anything. I thought something was wrong with me, I didn’t even think about it until you asked.”

He slaps my shoulder. “You should have gone into HS, Brother. You’d make a fine soldier.”

I shake my head, smiling. No fuckin’ way.

“I’m headed back down to Jake. Mitch wanted to talk to Penny about the scars. She has a doctor that can help get rid of them.” He turns, then looks back, handing me the coffee and bag in his hand. I throw him chin. Love the fuckin Brotherhood.

The nurse comes in and adjusts the bed so Penny can eat. When she leaves Penny asks me to untie the top so she can sit up. I don’t think this is a great idea, but I do it. She moves slowly but sits, then turns her body to the side so she’s facing me. The gauze stays in place, but I can see the new scars and dried blood. “I think they had you down so it’s not so painful,” I tell her, not wanting that pain to touch her.

“I’m okay. If it hurts too much I wouldn’t be able to do it.” She doesn’t look like she’s in severe pain, but I see she’s in some. I nod and hand her coffee, knowing I won’t win this one.

“Mitch is coming up to see you about the scars and a doctor she knows.” She puts the cup back in my hand.

“What can the doctor do that they haven’t already done?” she asks.

“I have no idea. Danny just said she knows a doctor that can get rid of them. I don’t think he had any more than that or he would have said.”

“I’m still paying for the grafts on my stomach and privates. I can’t afford more surgery.” She’s watching for my reaction. Her and Danny this morning, what the hell do they think I’m going to do?

“We have insurance that will cover what you need,” I tell her, a little pissed that they both think I’d walk over some fuckin scars.

“My insurance doesn’t cover it, it’s not medically necessary.”

“Babe, you’re on my insurance and I know we’ve got better coverage than the state plan.”

She looks surprised. “I’m on your plan and it will cover the scars?”

“What the fuck, Penny? I told you I’m in. I put you on my insurance. I’m buying the house. I got the stove in. The garage is going up and you and Danny still think I’m going to walk over fuckin’ scars?”

She leans back and I see it hurts her. Fuck! I turn her and put the bed higher so she can sit and lean back. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say, sitting on the edge.

She looks at me. “You didn’t. You surprised me. You know what I told Lenny when I hit him?” I shake my head no and I’m not so sure I want to know. “I told him I know what love is and you didn’t see the scars, you saw me. I know you don’t care about them. It would be nice if instead of treating me like a kid you talk to me about these things.” She hasn’t taken her eyes off me and I’m smiling. “It’s not normal to just buy a house and put a garage on. I know the MC does crazy stuff, but that’s a lot to take in on top of you putting me on your insurance after knowing me for two weeks.”

I laugh and notice she’s getting pissed. I put my hands up. “Maybe it’s a little fast, I get that. I’ve known you forever, Penny. You are one of the women with steel running through you. You built a business, jumped into the Little Sisters, are a loyal friend and now my girl who is willing to stand up for herself. I didn’t think to talk to you about the house because you love it. There is no reason for you to move. I need a garage to get the bikes out of the weather and you are mine now, so you need a garage for your car, even if you hardly ever drive it. I put you on my insurance because we fuck like rabbits and if you get pregnant you’ll need it. I wasn’t shielding you like a kid. I am just being responsible for my actions.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I see it all play out in her expressions. “Well, next time you want to be a responsible adult, tell me so I’m not so surprised by it. It would be good if you talked to me about big things too. What if I don’t love the house? Maybe I want a house with another bedroom in case I get pregnant because we...act like bunnies.” She’s all but putting her hands on her hips, still pissed at me.

I snap my teeth together and look away from her glare so I don’t smile or laugh. When I look back she’s still wearing the glare. I clear my throat, looking down. “We can add onto the house to get the extra bedroom. I told you all the things I did so there isn’t anything else that will surprise you. Are we done now?”

Her whole body relaxes like I let the air out of her balloon. “Well, fiddlesticks. Yes, we’re done.”

I can’t hold it in. I crack up. “Fiddlesticks?” I’m still laughing when Mitch comes in.

“Hi, Digs. I didn’t expect you to be so happy.” She’s smiling at Penny. There’s something about her smile that lights up her whole face. She’s always happy like Tess.

I stand up and pull the sheet up. “Hi, Mitch. Penny, this is Mitch Baxter.”

“Hi, Mitch, we met at CJ and Cloud’s wedding.” She looks at me, smiling. I want to laugh again but think better of it. I nod and move over to the other side of the bed.

“Danny tells me you have some scar tissue from acid. I have a doctor that helped me and Aleena with scars. They were different types and needed different procedures, but he took them away for me, and Aleena is very happy with her results. He’s the same doctor that worked on little Ben for the skin grafts. Jess said he did a really good job. Do you want me to make the appointment? He can meet you at the city hospital later today if you do.”

Penny looks at me. “It isn’t going to matter to me either way. Do what will make you happy.”

Mitch bounces and claps her hand and robotic. “Yay! That means you’ll get it done. I’ll call him on my way back downstairs. You won’t be sorry!” She turns and starts walking toward the door.

“Wait!” Penny says in that hoarse voice. Mitch stops and turns around with a puzzled look on her face, waiting for Penny to say something. “I need to know if he takes the insurance, but I don’t know the name of it.” She looks at me.

I look at Mitch and hope she gets this. “I’ve been with the MC since I was seventeen. I have Penny on my insurance. Jess handles everything for me.”

Mitch smiles and I know she’s got it. “I’ll talk to Jess and have everything straight before you get to the city. I’m so happy for you, Penny! Everyone deserves a future. I’m happy yours will be just the way you want it!” She claps and bounces again, making me smile, just like Tess. I know it takes all three of her men to handle her. She never stops. I look down at Penny and smile. She’s still looking at the door.

“Yeah, she’s just like Tess.” She looks at me and nods. Something is wrong. I can see the pain on her face. “What is it?” She tries to move the sheet. I take it and lift it off her. “Better?”

“It will be. It feels like salt on me when the sheet touches.” She looks more comfortable, so I tie the sheet back up and move her coffee to where she can reach it.

How the hell are we getting her home if she can’t dress? “You need anything?” She shakes her head no. “I’ll be right outside the door.”

“Okay.” So easy.

I kiss her head and walk out then down the hall, far enough that HS isn’t listening or broadcasting what I’m saying.

“Nancy, I need some help with clothes for Penny. Her arm, stomach, and chest have burns with shit on them and she can’t have anything touching it. She says it feels like salt is on her when the sheet touches. I need something to get her home in.”

She doesn’t say anything at first. Since she’s the least talkative old lady, I wait. “Does the burn cover her breasts?”

Shit. “No, he was stopped before it got there, it goes to just under.”

“I hope the son of a bitch is dead.” I’m surprised at her tone but don’t say anything. “I’ll make a call and get something up to you. They have a frame they’ll use to move her. It will keep anything from hitting her skin. I’ll make sure she has something pretty to come home in and I’ll send over some things for her to wear when she gets home. I’ll make it good for her, Digs.”

I blow out a breath, getting my emotions in check. “Thanks, Nancy.” I love the fuckin’ Brotherhood. When I turn around Cloud and the boys are behind me. Tess is standing to the side with tears in her eyes. Shit! “She’s going to be fine.”

I put my arm out and Tess walks into it, putting her head on my chest. “I know she will, but she has to do this all again to get there. Jeremy can help, Digs.” She cries. I’m not sure what to do. Cloud just watches.

Jeremy takes her hand and Jacob talks. “You have to be strong for her, Tess.” She nods and steps back, wiping her eyes. Thank God. Jeremy laughs then Tess does.

I look at Cloud, wondering if it’s just me or she really is like a ping pong ball, bouncing from one extreme to another. He shrugs. “Let’s get this moving. I need to see Jamie about getting Jake and Mitch home.”

We walk in and I’m relieved to see she’s sleeping because I have no idea how to explain this. Jeremy goes to her side and takes her hand. Tess and Jacob stand by his side. They have their hands under the sheet and I know they’re touching her too. I hope to hell it doesn’t hurt her.

After a few minutes she moans and I step forward. Cloud stops me with a hand on my shoulder. I look back. “Let him help her. She’ll feel less pain because of it,” he says quietly, but doesn’t let my shoulder go.

Jacob looks back. “Dad.” Cloud steps around me and stands behind Jeremy with his hands on his shoulders.

He’s saying something, but it’s not English. All I can do is stand here watching. What a fuckin’ helpless feeling this is. I pace back and forth, feeling worthless. Finally, Jeremy turns to Cloud and Tess hugs Jacob.

She has a sad expression on her face. Does that mean it didn’t work? I need someone to tell me something, all of a sudden my skin feels too tight. “Jeremy wants to see her again. He has to see Jake, but he can go to the City hospital for Penny,” Jacob says.

“He couldn’t take her pain away?” I thought that’s what they do.

Cloud smiles. “Relax, Brother, he took some, but he can only do so much. She’s in less pain than she was. I’ll have CJ bring him to the City tomorrow. He’ll nag her to death before that, but he needs to sleep.”

“Thank you. I just want her pain gone. I can’t focus on much else, it seems.” I look over at her. She looks so small in the bed. Her face is pale and she has machines beeping on the side of her.

I’m surprised by Jacob’s arms going around my waist. He looks up at me. “It will be okay. Jeremy says she’s strong.”

I smile at him. “Yeah, she is.”

Tess hugs me on her way out. “It will be good, Digs.”

“Thanks, Tess.”

Left alone, I continue pacing until the doctor shows. I stand on the side and watch. He smiles at the sheet even as he’s untying it. “We’ve learned the MC have their own way of doing things.” I just nod. I don’t want to get the nurse in trouble. He pulls the sheet and she opens her eyes.

“Babe.” She gives me her smile, throwing relief on me because there is no pain in it.

She watches the doctor pull the gauze down without reacting. Cloud was right. I let out my breath and smile. Fuckin’ kids.

The nurse comes in with a tray of bandages and shit. She’s changed them out a few times already and it always hurts Penny. I’m getting to where I hate seeing that fuckin’ tray. The doctor talks to her, telling her everything looks good and he’ll get the paperwork ready for the transport team.