The Biker's Fate Chapter 162

Darien

I WATCHED MACK leave and focused back on Pauley. "He didn't cheat."

Pauley sighed. "I know. Kim told me."

"Kim has a big mouth."

"Kim was protecting her friend," Pauley countered. "And she wouldn't give me any other information other than he didn't cheat. I sure as hell didn't know anything about you two getting back together until I walked in just now. You're totally freaking me out."

"I know. I'm sorry. I kind of surprised him last night when I broke into his house... well, I didn't break in, I used a key, but he wasn't expecting me."

"And this?" She waved her hand around the room.

"Some guy broke into his house and I walked in on him. He didn't like it."

"Are you okay?"

I nodded. "I had to get a few stitches and I have a concussion, but I'll be fine. They're probably releasing me in a few hours. I just have to have a little scan to make sure there's no damage."

"Ohmigod, Dare, that's not good."

"Did Booker tell you he wants us at the compound for a little while?"

Pauley nodded.

"Are you okay with that?" I asked.

She shrugged. "We're already packed up and it's a few days with a bunch of hot bikers, I'm fine with that, but I'm more worried about the reason for it all. What have you gotten yourself... us... into?"

I grimaced. "I have no idea."

"Darien?" Macey walked into the room with a wheelchair. "Are you ready for your scan?"

Mack followed the nurse in, a worried expression on his face.

"Yes," I said. "I don't have to go into a tube, right?"

"No." She smiled. "Are you claustrophobic?"

"Badly," I admitted.

"It's not an MRI, so you should be fine."

"I'll go with you," Mack said.

"That's fine," Macey said. "If you want him there, Darien."

I nodded. "That would be great. Pauley, will you stay here?"

"Yeah, sissy."

"Thanks."

Macey and Mack helped me into the wheelchair and we made our way down to radiology. Thankfully, the entire process took less than twenty minutes and I was back in my room resting before my head started pounding again. Mack's hand covered mine and I opened my eyes. I didn't even realize I'd closed them.

"You in pain?" he asked.

I bit my lip with a grimace and nodded.

"Okay. I'll find the nurse."

He left the room and Pauley entered my line of sight. "Is it bad?"

"It's not much fun," I admitted.

Macey returned with a dose of Dilaudid and an hour later I was cleared to go home and sleep. There was no brain trauma, so I would feel back to normal in a couple of days.

"I'll run home and grab the dog and some clothes," Pauley said. "The stuff you need right now's in your suitcase, right? Not in a box?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

"No going home without a shadow," Mack countered, and pulled out his phone.

"Booker said he'd wait."

"Book?" Mack spoke into his phone. "You still here? Yeah. Thanks. We'll meet you outside." He hung up and nodded. "Book'll take you home."

"Didn't I just say that?" Pauley grumbled.

"Don't fight it, sissy," I said. "It won't change anything and it'll just drive you crazy."

Pauley flipped Mack off (albeit, behind his back because she wasn't entirely stupid) and I stifled a giggle.

"I saw that," Mack said, and I laughed, gasping as the pain hit my head. Mack frowned and stroked my cheek. "Babe."

"I'm okay," I rasped.

"Ready?" Macey asked, appearing in the doorway.

"Very," I said, and she helped me back into the wheelchair.

Once in the car, Mack drove to the compound, his face tight with worry, but saying nothing. I was too tired to think, so I just closed my eyes and tried to forget about the pain making my skull feel like it was going to implode.

The car came to a stop and Mack's hand covered mine. "We're here."

"It hurts to open my eyes," I admitted.

"You don't have to open your eyes." I heard the door open and he closed it as quietly as he could, then the breeze fluttered across my skin when he opened my door and unbuckled the belt. "Arms around my neck, baby," he directed. "You can keep your eyes closed. I've got you."

I did exactly as he suggested and found myself lifted into his arms (like I weighed nothing) and carried into the compound and up the stairs without opening my eyes. In fact, I didn't open my eyes again until it was dark outside and I was alone in Mack's room... and I was freezing. I realized I was freezing because I was pretty close to naked. Mack had the good sense to leave my panties intact, but he'd removed everything else. I heard a toilet flush, then the faucet started and I glanced toward the bathroom door to see Mack slip back into the room.

"I'm awake," I whispered.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit in the head with a hammer."

"Can you sit up?" he asked, and I pushed myself up. Mack handed me some pills and a bottled water and I took the pain killers, then threw the covers off. "Careful."

"I have to pee," I said. "And I'm freezing."

"Sorry, I had the window open." Mack slid his arm around my waist and lifted me off the bed. "You'll be warm soon enough."

I shivered as he walked me into the bathroom. He left me for a minute and returned with one of his sweatshirts, sliding it over my head while I sat on the toilet. "I feel like I should be embarrassed," I said.

"Are you?"

"Nope."

Mack chuckled and kissed my nose. "Good."

"Probably the drugs."

"It's because you trust me."

I cocked my head. "It is?"

He grinned. "Yep."

"It's the drugs."

He laughed. "I'm gonna close the window. Move slow."

"Okay, butthead." I finished up in the bathroom and he helped me back into bed, pulling me against him gently.

"How's your head?"

"It's a little better," I said, and yawned.

"Good." He kissed my forehead. "'Night Pid."

"'Night, butthead."