Toyota 4Runner shimmers under the parking lot lights. He jumps out and hurries to open the back door. The truck’s lifted so I have to give Mallory a boost. She’s stoic and doesn’t make a sound until she’s situated. No one bothers us.
The vehicle’s awkwardly quiet. What the hell are we supposed to talk about? I know Benny from the tour but it’s not like we’re best buds. I end up turning around to check on Mallory about a hundred times.
I’m still facing her when we turn onto our little street.
“Fuck,” Benny mumbles and slaps his palm over the horn. “Move, asshole.”
“What’s going on?” I peer out the window at the small crowd of reporters covering our front lawn. “What the fuck are they doing?”
He shrugs but it’s more of a nervous jiggle. “I, uh, they were all over Andrew’s place earlier too. Guess they found their way down here.”
“Why? What’s their problem?”
He keeps staring straight ahead. “I don’t know.”
A sick feeling settles in my gut.
Benny nudges his truck into our driveway. “Stay there. I’m going to walk you up to the door,” he promises.
“Why are there so many people on our lawn?” Mallory’s sleepy whisper is barely audible over all the noise from outside.
“I don’t know. Stupid tabloid assholes.”
“Because of me? That’s sick. Who does that?” At least she sounds more angry than sad, although I’d prefer neither.
Benny opens my door and then the back door, shielding us from anyone who tries to get too close. “Back the fuck off,” he growls. “You’re trespassing.”
Ignoring everything around us, I reach in and slip my arms under Mallory. “Hang on to me.” I press a quick kiss to her cheek and lift her out of the truck.
“Mallory! Are you okay? Do you want to tell us what happened?” a woman shouts.
“Get the fuck out of our way,” Benny barks.
Mallory wraps her arms tight around my neck and buries her head against my shoulder. “Why are they doing this?” she whispers.
“I don’t know.”
Benny shoves photographers right and left, clearing a path for me to follow behind him. Flashbulbs go off. Lawsuits are threatened. A camera cracks and shatters against the sidewalk. Finally, we make it inside the house.
Benny casts a nervous glance at the door. “You need me to stay, Chaser?”
“No, I think we’ll be fine.” I set Mallory down on the couch and she drops her bags on the floor.
“You really might want to think about hiring someone until this dies down,” Benny says. “I know a guy.”
“We’ll be okay. Thanks, though.” I can always call on my MC brothers if this continues.
He slips a card in my hand. “If you need something, call me. Don’t worry about what time it is, okay?”
“I will. Thank you, man. Tell Andrew I said thanks, too. Okay?”
“You know it.”
The noise and questions start up again when we open the door. Benny slips out into the crowd. I slam the door shut, throwing all the locks into place.
Mallory slumps against the couch and closes her eyes.
“Let’s put you to bed,” I offer, picking her up off the couch.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Mallory
Zapped of energy, I can barely move. I’m uncomfortable, though. Need to visit the bathroom and change the stupid pads the hospital gave me. Chaser carrying me around everywhere isn’t helping.
“I need to do a few things, first.” I push at his arm, hoping he’ll take a hint and set me down.
But Chaser’s not a take-the-hint man. He’s all direct words and actions.
“What do you need, little dove? Tell me.”
Heat burns my cheeks. “Female stuff.” I point to one of the bags on the floor I’d brought home from the hospital. “I need some…things. Don’t worry about it.”
He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I’m sorry to tell you but I’m not one of those men who runs screaming from the room at the words ‘female stuff’ and I worry about everything when it comes to you.”
Of course that’s his answer. “Can’t you leave me to wallow in my misery and shame alone?”
“No.” He dips down and scoops up the bag.
Thankfully, he does drop me off at the bathroom and give me privacy. I take care of myself and give the shower a longing stare but there’s no way I can stand up for that long.
Chaser knocks on the door. “Ready for bed?”
“Yes.” I open the door and he hands me a glass of water.
“You need to eat something before you take those pain meds.”
I drop my gaze to the cup of yogurt and spoon in his