Addictive (Houston Defiance MC #2) - K.E. Osborn Page 0,85
tends to my neck.
“He got you good, a quarter of an inch further in, and he would have done some serious damage.” She injects the numbing solution into my skin, I grimace as she exhales. “I’ve seen a lot of shit between Chicago and Houston. Seen a lot of men fight for their women, seen men die for their women, but Wraith… he’s so damn complicated.”
I let out a small scoff as my neck begins to numb. “You’re telling me. We have the weirdest relationship. He’s so guarded. Problem is he doesn’t want to do wrong by Zero, but he also has issues, control issues, and it scares him.”
“But not you?” She pokes around my neck. “Feel that?”
Chills pulls out her suturing utensils, and I shake my head. “No, can’t feel anything. And no, I’m not scared of him. He’s the one who’s worried about what he might do to me. But, to be perfectly frank, the only damn time he hurts me is when he rejects me.”
She leans in to start work. “Let me know if you feel anything other than pressure, okay?” I nod. “Hopefully, now, seeing you going through all this, will put things into perspective for him. The Zero thing, though, that might be tougher to combat. Zero is super protective of you. He made it pretty clear he didn’t want Wraith near you.”
I scrunch up my face. “Well, Zero can’t dictate my life for me forever. He needs to get the hell over it.”
“I’m glad you think that way because I’ve seen the way Wraith watches you when you’re not looking. He adores you. The same goes in reverse. Anyone can see you’re crazy for each other.”
She continues to suture my neck as I exhale. “I told him I love him.”
Chills bites down on her bottom lip, her face brightening with excitement. “I knew it. What did he say?”
“He didn’t say it back.”
Chills’ happy expression falters. “It doesn’t mean anything. It might not have been the right place or even the right time. Where were you?”
I purse my lips. “In the middle of a gunfight.”
“Well, then, you can’t blame the guy for being a little pre-occupied with other thoughts.”
“I know, but we were alone on the car ride home, he had a chance to say it then… but he didn’t.”
Chills places her instruments down on the tray and looks me in the eyes. “It doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel it. You yourself said he’s complicated. Give him a chance. Wraith will tell you when he’s ready. Don’t push him for it.” She smiles then says, “All done! You’re as good as new.”
“Thanks, Chills, appreciate the counseling session. How’s Koda?”
She sits back in her chair and crosses her legs. “He’s okay. Gonna have one hell of a shiner, though. He has a stage three concuss—”
I interrupt, “Shit! That sounds bad, is—”
“Stop! I already took him to the hospital and did a scan on his brain to make sure there was no swelling or bleeding. There’s not, but he might have a fracture to his eye socket. I have to wait for the swelling to go down to check that further. The main thing is… he’s gonna be okay.”
Tears well in my eyes as my hand covers my mouth. “Oh God, my poor little brother.”
“He’s strong. He’s in bed recovering.”
“I should go see him—”
“Koda knows you’re okay. He has been told. The best thing you can do for him right now is let him rest. I’ll be going in and monitoring him all through the night, so don’t worry, he’s in safe hands.”
“Thanks, Chills, for looking after all of us the way you do. We’re lucky to have you.”
She starts cleaning up. “I’m just doing my job, but I’m glad to be here, too.”
“Do you miss Chicago?”
Chills exhales like she’s living a thousand memories. “I miss the people. I miss my parents more than anything, but I love it here. Everyone has been so welcoming, and if being in Houston means the best possible chance for baby Kobe, then that’s what I’m gonna do. Because he’s my world… him and his daddy.”
“When did you know Chains was the one?”
“Well, that’s a whole other story I’ll have to tell you over drinks, but in a couple of days when you’re feeling better, okay? No drinking until then. Keep up the pain meds, the antibiotics, and rest. I also want to take you to the hospital tomorrow to run an antibody or antigen test, just to test for things