The Biker's Fate Chapter 250

"How ya doin'?" he asked.

"Better."

"I found your cell phone in your car." He pulled it out of his pocket and set it on the table. "I charged it up, so it's ready to go."

"Thanks." I stared up at him. "What are you doing?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"I'm just confused as to why you're here."

"Would you rather I go?"

"Honestly? No." I let out a long, frustrated sigh. "Which confuses me as well."

He chuckled, pulling a chair close to me. "I think there's somethin' here. I don't know what it is, but I can't get you outta my head."

"You look like you ate something nasty."

"Yeah, well, you know I was chained to a woman before, and it didn't go so well. Thought I was done with this shit, but you just keep pullin' me back in."

"I'm not trying to," I whispered.

"I know." He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed my palm. "Been in a dark place, Maisie. But you've changed that. Can't explain it, but I see you and I feel peace."

"Is that why you call me 'Sunshine'?"

"Yeah, why?"

My breath hitched on a sob. "I thought it was because of my hair, but that's way better."

He chuckled. "Why are you cryin', baby?"

"Because you're being so sweet and I'm having a hard time processing all of these emotions."

"Don't process anything right now, Maisie. Once all of this is over, we'll spend some time together and find out what this is, yeah?"

I nodded, trying to pull myself together. "Do you still have my car?"

"Yeah. My guys are checkin' it out."

"I don't understand why my airbags didn't go off. I service that bloody car on time every few months. The brakes were working fine the day before." I let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know why any of this happened."

"Me neither," Hatch said. "But we'll figure it out."

"You really don't need to take this on, Hatch. It's a lot for someone you've just met."

He grinned. "I'm doin' it for Poppy."

I let out a quiet snort. "Oh, really? How's that then?"

"She asked me to help you. I gave her my word, Sunshine, and I always keep my word."

I smiled sleepily. "Well, that's good to know."

"Sleep, baby."

I think I was out before he'd finished his sentence.

Hatch

Maisie had been wheeled into the operating room close to three hours ago. I had managed to catch a few hours of rest before her nine a.m. surgery, but I was still wiped. I shook my head. What the fuck was I doin' with this woman? I should walk away. Leave her to her life. But I knew I never would. She was under my skin now and I felt more for her than I'd ever felt for anyone. As irrational as that might be, it was no less the truth. And now that I knew someone was after her, I was even more on alert. For the moment, she was safe, so I took that comfort and let it settle into my bones.

I'd been at the hospital since two a.m. and I was exhausted, but still couldn't turn off my brain. I was convinced someone messed with Maisie's car, but the cops had cleared it at the scene.

Sipping coffee while I waited with Alison and Poppy, I thumbed my phone on, hoping to see a message from Ace, who'd gotten an early start this morning, pulling the mangled car apart one piece at a time. Ace's brother, FBI agent, Jaxon Quinn, was documenting everything they found and dusting for fingerprints. Even though I wasn't a fan of law enforcement, I had asked Jaxon to assist. Jaxon had backed up the Dogs on several occasions, including his assistance in saving Ace's woman, Cassidy, from a psychopath. 

"You're the family of Maisie Mann?" a woman's voice asked.

I turned from the waiting room window as Poppy jumped up from her seat and rushed toward the nurse. "Is she awake?"

"Yep. I can take you back if you like. One at a time, though."

Poppy nodded and walked with the nurse through the double doors. I dragged my hands through my hair and sat in one of the chairs by the window.

"What's your deal?" Alison asked.

I turned my head slowly toward her. "My deal?"

"You know she lost her husband, right?"

"Yeah, babe, I know."

"And that she's never dated another man? Ever? Niall has been her world since she was five," she continued. "She had dinner with you and then didn't call you back for a reason. She didn't want to see you again. Why are you here? Are you some kind of crazy stalker? Because if you are, my cop husband will deal with you."

"You're lookin' out for your girl," I said. "I get it. And I have no intention of doin' anything other than gettin' to know Maisie and sortin' out what happened with her car. But since we don't know each other, nothin' I say's gonna assure you… and it shouldn't. You just gotta get to know me and make up your own mind."

She narrowed her eyes and then let out a sigh. "You're a smart one, aren't you?"

I chuckled. "More smart-ass, but yeah, I'm not an idiot."

"Well, you're on notice. If this goes somewhere, you'll treat her right or I will cut you."

I grinned. "Maisie's in safe hands with me."

"We'll see."

"Ali?" a nurse enquired as she walked up.

Alison rose to her feet. "Yes, that's me."

"You can go back if you like." The nurse turned to me. "She's not feeling up to any other visitors just yet. She said she'd text when she was ready."

"No problem," I said. "I'll head out."

Disappointed, but understanding why she needed space, I left the hospital and headed back to my shop rather than go home.

Time for some answers.