to Styx and Mae. Mae noticed I was awake first. I cast a quick glance to Tanner, but he was still asleep.
“Adelita.” Mae’s voice was filled with relief and affection. She came toward me, Charon in a baby sling on her chest. I saw his little eyes were closed.
“Hello, Mae,” I greeted, and tried to move.
“No. Please do not.” Mae reached for my hand. When I looked up at her in surprise, she was staring at me with tears in her eyes. I frowned, wondering what was wrong. “You are safe here, Adelita. We promise. No one will hurt you ever again.” Mae looked behind her. “Will they, Styx?”
I looked at the Hangmen president. His hazel eyes were locked on me. All I felt was confusion. What was happening? Why were they here? Why did he pay so much money for us to be brought here to Austin?
Nothing made sense.
Styx nodded in response to his wife’s words. His arms were crossed over his chest. And I couldn’t even begin to decipher what his expression was. Why was staring so intently at me?
“We will let you rest,” Mae said, pulling my attention back to her. “We wanted to check on you.” Mae kissed my head. “We will talk soon. When you have healed. When Tanner is well and you are stronger.” Unease swept through me.
Talk about what?
Mae joined her husband, and they went to leave. “He . . .” I cleared my throat. It caused Mae and Styx to pause and look back at me. “Tanner . . . he loves this club.” I cast my eyes to my husband. “He . . .” I chased away the lump that was building in my throat. “He has had a hard life . . . a loveless life.” My voice quivered with sadness, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want them to doubt Tanner’s allegiance for this club. “But he has found a home here, amongst you all.” I smiled. “He is a protector. That’s what he does. He protected me. He came to Mexico to protect you. He is a man you want in this brotherhood. He is loyal and brave, and I hope you see it.”
Styx’s face was neutral as he listened to me. Mae turned to her husband, some silent communication occurring between them. Styx lifted his hands. “Y’all aren’t going anywhere.” Mae spoke Styx’s words. His hands froze, a pause. Then he signed, “Y’all are family.” Styx dropped his hands and walked out of the door. With a small wave, Mae followed her husband.
I exhaled in relief. He wanted Tanner here. He wanted us here. But as I lay in my bed, I couldn’t get the visit from Styx and Mae from my head. It seemed more than a simple check-in.
But I couldn’t think of any reason why.
Beauty left for the night to get herself some rest. When the door was shut, I stared across at Tanner. He still wasn’t awake. But I needed him. I needed to touch him, to feel his warmth. Pulling off the comforter, I held my side as I lowered my feet to the floor. I was wearing a nightdress. Beauty must have brought it for me. I smiled. It was purple and silk. It reminded me of what I married Tanner in. Knowing Beauty, it would have been why she picked it.
Taking a deep breath, I moved, using the bed frame for support. I walked across the small space between me and Tanner. When I arrived at his side, I ran my hand through his hair. My chest ached as I looked down at Tanner’s wounds. I could have lost him . . . I could have lost the love of my life . . . my husband . . . my soul’s other half.
Careful of the IV, and ignoring the pain in my side, I crawled onto the bed and slipped under the sheets. Tanner’s torso was bare. He only wore track pants.
The minute I was beside him, my bruised heart instantly healed. I laid my arm over his waist and absorbed his warmth. Lowering my head to the pillow, I kissed his stubbled cheek. “I love you, mi amor,” I whispered and breathed in his smoky, leather smell.
Even the sterile ointment on his wounds couldn’t take away his addictive scent. I held his left hand and ran my thumb over the wedding ring. I smiled at the sight . . . then Tanner’s hand twitched. I stilled, waiting, breath held