The Biker's Fate Chapter 30

Booker

ELLIOT HARRIS ARRIVED at five o'clock, his countenance guarded, but not rude, and I ushered him into the great room. "Can I get you a beer?"

"I'd actually like to see my sister," he said.

"Let me see if she's awake."

"I want to see her even if she isn't."

I nodded. "Follow me."

I led Elliot down the hall to the master bedroom and slid the door open partially. Dani was lying on her back, her hair had come loose from the tie and fanned out over her face, and she was naked from the waist up.

"Give me a sec," I said, and stepped into the room, pulling the covers back up her body.

She groaned and tried to push them down again.

"Dani, your brother's here. He wants to see you."

"Go away," she grumbled.

I slid her hair from her face. "Baby, Elliot's here."

She sat up so quickly, she nearly collided with me. "Ell?"

"I'm here, Dani," Elliot called through the door.

"Don't come in. I'm naked."

I shook my head.

"Why the hell are you naked?" Elliot called.

"Why the hell do you think I'm naked?" she retorted.

"Danielle," I whispered.

"What? I've been puking my guts out and miserable, and my brother starts getting all brotherly. It's frickin' annoying." Dani frowned. "Elliot, I'm fine. I have not been kidnapped, I'm not being held against my will, and Austin's only partially a mad-man."

"I'll wait in the other room," Elliot said.

"Good choice, brother of mine," she called.

"You're feeling better," I observed.

Dani nodded, pulling the sheet around her. "Why's my brother here?"

"He came to talk."

"I'll get dressed, then."

I shook my head. "You need to rest."

"I feel great," she said, and promptly began coughing.

"Babe."

"I'm telling you, I feel great. It's all good, honey."

"Probably a burst of energy before the crash."

"Then let me use this burst of energy to see my brother."

I smiled. "You're making it really hard for me to take care of you."

Dani rolled her eyes. "Word of warning, I'm the worst patient on earth. Best to learn that now."

"I'll find you something warm and you can get dressed." I rose to my feet. "One of the recruits dropped off a few things—"

"What kinds of things?"

I smiled. "Meds and soup."

Dani looked disappointed. "Oh."

"Expecting something else?"

"I was just dreaming about cheesecake. No big deal."

I laughed. "You were dreaming of cheesecake?"

She licked her lips. "I was eating it off of you."

"Fuck, baby," I whispered, sitting on the bed again. "You can't say shit like that."

Dani giggled. "Why not?"

"One, you're sick as a dog, and two, your brother's here." I grinned. "Wait until you're well and I can do something about it."

"But watching you squirm's kind of fun for me. Especially right now."

"Why especially?"

"Oh, I don't know... maybe because of Tiff."

I sighed. "We'll talk about that later."

"Yes, we definitely will."

"I'll grab you something warm to put on."

"Just grab my bag for me, honey, I can take care of the rest."

"You sure?"

Dani nodded. "I've been sick before and had to deal with it alone, so yes, I'm sure. I'll be out in a minute."

"If your fever doesn't go down, back to bed."

"Yes, mom," she retorted.

I chuckled, kissed her forehead, and retrieved her bag for her before leaving and joining Elliot in the great room.

Danielle

I watched Austin leave the room and then stared at my suitcase on the bed. I was spinning emotionally, but I also felt like I was going to die a slow painful death. I chose to pick my battles, and getting the information about Tiff and her relationship with Austin had to be low on the priority list right now.

I climbed off the mattress, my movements stilted and slow as every part of my body ached, and yet, I still had copious amounts of energy. I found clean underwear, sweats, a T-shirt, and a pair of thick socks. I tried to put the socks on, but bending made my head spin, so I took a minute to brush out my hair, pile it on the top of my head again, and brush my teeth.

I padded out of the bedroom and heard the low cadence of male voices as I neared the great room. I exited the mouth of the hallway and the voices stopped. Both my brother and Austin rose to their feet, but it was Austin who walked to me and frowned. "Why don't you have socks on?"

I held the ball up. "Bending over kind of makes me dizzy."

Austin smiled and whispered, "If you're doing it right, it does."

I giggled.

"Come sit down. I'll help," he said, and pulled me to the sofa. Once he'd slid my socks on for me, he headed into the kitchen. "Tea, babe?"

I nodded. "Yes, please."

While Austin made my tea, my brother studied me.

"What, Ell?"

"You really like this guy."

I smiled. "He's amazing."

"Do you know what's going on?"

I nodded. "He told me everything. Are you worried?"

Elliot frowned. "Honestly? Yeah. I knew Steven was an asshole, I just didn't realize he was an evil one as well."

"Austin found my money."

"He mentioned that."

"He seems to think he can get it back for me, but he wants to wait it out a bit." I settled my head in my palm, my energy fading. "I'm nervous Steven will hide the money again."

Elliot shook his head. "I think he's too arrogant to believe he'll ever actually get caught."

"There is that," I agreed. "Why would Dad buy policies on us, do you think?"

"He did it right when he became chief." Elliot sipped his beer. "Do you remember Gene Rivers?"

"Dad's old friend from high school?"

Elliot nodded. "Yeah, he's the one who sold him the policy."

"But he died ten years ago."

"I know, but his son Bobby took over his insurance business. Guess who's Bobby's brother-in-law?"

I shrugged.

"Steven."

"What?" I squeaked.