Ink's Second Chance - Carol Dawn Page 0,21

until morning.”

I nod my head and close my eyes. I know he used the pronoun ‘she’ on purpose and I’m thankful for it. For all the bravado I want to feel, being alone with a strange male isn’t something I’m able to deal with right now.

The officer leaves and I’m finally left alone.

I drift off to a light sleep full of nightmares and sinister smiles.

Chapter Twelve

Ink

I’ve been standing in the doorway to Rachel’s room just watching her sleep. I wouldn’t call it a restful sleep, but I’m half afraid to wake her up.

What if she doesn’t want me here? What if seeing another man only trigger’s things for her and makes it worse?

Maybe I should have had Laura come after all.

“Can I help you?”

I turn around and come face to face with a female nurse.

“How long has she been asleep?” I ask.

“Who are you?” She asks firmly.

I have to give it to the woman, she’s a bit scary.

“I’m Rachel’s man,” I say with determination. “When can I take her home?”

“Well, Rachel’s man,” she says. “I’m nurse Wing and Rachel is under my care while she’s in this building. Until she is awake and gives the okay for you to take her out, she stays put.”

I don’t hit women!!!

How many times in a week am I going to have to remind myself this?

“Listen here,” I start.

“Sammy.”

The sound of Rachel’s voice pulls me from the difficult nurse, and I spin around and rush to her side.

“Baby,” I whisper as I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”

I’ll never forgive myself. I left her alone knowing that shit was going down with the club. I don’t know who did this to her, but I have a feeling it has to do with the Sons.

“Please, take me out of here, Sammy,” Rachel says.

I lean back to get a good look at her face and my heart stops at the pure anguish I see in her eyes.

“Alright baby,” I say, not even attempting to stop my eyes from misting over. “Alright.”

I look around for her chair and turn to face the nurse still standing by the door.

“You left her in here alone with no way to leave?” I say, my anger at its peak.

The nurse’s hard demeanor changed to one of confusion.

“She didn’t come in with a chair,” she tells me. “She actually hasn’t spoken a single word since she got here. Not until you showed up.”

“Give me the address brother,” Wolf says. “I’ll go grab her chair and anything else she needs.”

I nod my thanks and give him her address.

“I’ll meet you there,” Wolf says to Trigger. “I’m going to go switch my bike with my truck.”

I pick Rachel up and cradle her to my chest. I’m never fucking letting her out of my sight again.

“Just grab her some clothes and her bathroom shit,” I tell them. “Anything else she needs I’ll just go buy.”

“Do you have any medications you need me to get, sweetheart?” Wolf asks.

Rachel shakes her head against my chest, and I relay her message.

I’m on my way outside, Rachel still tucked tightly against my chest, when I remember that I rode here on my fucking bike.

Damnit.

“Already taken care of,” Trigger says. “Bear’s outside waiting for your bike keys.”

I head outside to where I parked my bike and see Bear standing next to it.

“Here’s my car, brother,” he says. “I’ll take your bike back.”

Not able to speak, I nod and place Rachel in the passenger seat of Bear’s car and buckle her in.

“Don’t forget that she’s got power,” I say, handing my keys to Bear. “Don’t have too much fun and get yourself hurt or Rose will kill me.”

Bear laughs and straddles my bike.

“See you at home,” he says, starting my bike and driving away.

I get into the car and turn to face my woman.

“I’ll never be able to forgive myself,” I admit. “This happened because of me.”

Rachel wipes her eyes before facing me.

“Don’t you dare blame yourself,” she says, fire in her eyes. “The men who did this knew exactly what it would do to you. They know exactly what to do to hit your club hard. It was hard and I was so scared, but I never once blamed you.

However, I did pay attention, Sammy. I paid attention to everything said to me. Every sound, every smell, and every name. And, I didn’t say a single word to the police.”

I’m shocked at the hardness in her voice.

“Why didn’t you talk