The Biker's Fate Chapter 262

"Because then he'd tell Mum and Dad… he's probably already told Kenna, and they'd all come, and I'm in too much pain to deal with them. Mum and Dad are in their seventies, Hatch. Them seeing me bruised up like this would be too much for them. I was planning on ringing this week. I just needed a minute. My family can be overwhelming. They're lovely, don't get me wrong, but they're a lot to take in sometimes. They weren't happy Niall took me away and it doesn't matter how old I get, they remind me constantly of the heartbreak I've caused."

Hatch kissed my temple. "Okay, baby. I'll stick around, but you really gotta eat."

"I can stand on my own."

"Not takin' that chance, Maisie. You just took Oxy."

"I won't feel it if I pass out, then," I retorted.

"Sit down," he ordered. "I'll deal with your brother. What's his name?"

"Beckett," I said, as I lowered myself back into the chair.

"Of course it is," Hatch grumbled, and headed out of the room and toward the door just as the bell sounded.

"Hey, Beckett, come on in," Hatch said.

I held my breath a little as I listened in. I wished I could see my brother's face.

"Who the hell are you?" Beckett demanded, his voice extra British. I could imagine his chin going up and him straightening to his six-foot-two height. My brother might be as straight-laced as they came, but he was also handsome and an imposing figure when he wanted to be.

"I'm Maisie's man, Hatch."

"Excuse me?"

"Maisie's in the other room. You wanna come in? Maybe set your bag inside?"

Bloody hell, Beckett brought a bag. That meant he planned on staying with me and Poppy. Shit.

"Where's my sister?"

"Like I said, she's in the other room," Hatch repeated.

I smiled. Hatch was being extraordinarily patient with Beckett, but I wondered how long that would last. I should call out. I really should, but honestly, the evil part of me was enjoying this. It served Beckett right for showing up unannounced to "handle" his big sister.

"Yes, I heard you," Beckett continued. "What I don't understand is why you're here answering the door, not her."

"She just took some meds, so I told her to stay off her feet."

"Margaret Gretchen Wickham Mann!" Beckett bellowed.

Bloody hell! He's using my full name, this isn't good.

"Oh, stop your belly aching, Becks," I snapped. "You know where 'the other room' is, just come in already!"

A minute or so later, my brother stalked into the room, his face softening when he saw me. My irritation left my body as he rushed to my side and hugged me gently.

"How did you find out?" I asked.

"Ryan."

I sighed. Of course he did. Ryan and Beckett had been friends for a while, so that made perfect sense.

"Why didn't you ring me, Sausage?" he asked.

"It's only been a week, Becks. Everything happened so fast and we've been dealing with so much, I didn't want to drag you into the drama." I frowned. "Please tell me you didn't tell Mum and Dad."

"No, I didn't tell Mum and Dad, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to," he warned.

"Kenna?"

"I told Kenna. She said you suck and as soon as she sees you, she's going to give you a hiding the likes of which you've never seen. Now, fill me in."

"Babe, I'm gonna pick up a few things," Hatch said, stepping into the room. He set a sandwich and a glass of milk on the table next to me with a smile. "Made you a PB&J. You need to eat it quick, so it'll absorb your meds." I wrinkled my nose, but before I could object, he shook his head. "Just try it, Sunshine, you'll like it."

"I don't think I will."

"Have you ever tried one?"

"No."

"Then how do you know you won't like it?"

"It just sounds revolting," I explained.

"Isn't that something Americans make for their kids?" Beckett asked.

"It's a staple, yeah," Hatch said.

I stared at the plate. "Well, I'm not six, Connor."

He smirked. "Kinda actin' like it right now, Margaret."

"Cheeky bastard."

Hatch chuckled. "Take a bite."

"Hatch—"

Crossing his arms, he nodded at the sandwich. "One bite. If you don't like it, I'll grab the saltines."

I rolled my eyes and took a bite.

"You don't like it?" he asked.

"It's fine, Hatch. Food is fuel."

"I'll get the crackers."

"No, don't. Go do whatever you need to do," I insisted. "I'm quite capable of finding food or making my brother do it."

"You sure?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"You want me to bring you something back?"

"No," I said. "Are you still planning on picking Poppy up?"

"Yeah, but I can swing back here first," Hatch offered.

"No, it's okay. We'll be fine here."

Hatch nodded. "I'll see you soon."

"Thanks, love."

He left (without kissing me, which bugged the crap out of me) and Beckett sat on the sofa. As soon as I heard the door close, I bit deep into the sandwich and made a noise that I was sure sounded far too much like an orgasm (totally inappropriate in front of my brother, but I just didn't care). "Oh my God, Becks, this is the most amazing thing. Ever." I thrust it toward him. "Try it."

He took a bite and shook his head. "You're on your own on that one."

I sighed and inhaled the rest of the sandwich, gulping down the milk, feeling just as good as I did, if not better, after enjoying a meal at a five-star restaurant.

My satiated bliss was interrupted, however, when my brother leaned toward me and said, "I need to know everything about the crash, Maisie, then you're going to fill me in on this Hatch person."