5. Indy

Chapter 5

Indy

It seems odd as hell to see the fear in the man’s eyes when he looks at me. I decided to call him the name that was on his cut that Cooper got rid of. I was hoping that would calm him. He’s got a death grip on my hand, but he’s doing his best to push the fear down. I’m not sure I could be as calm as him if I were in his place. With my hand still in his, I finally sit beside his bed and try to let my presence give him something to concentrate on. I lick my lips as I try to figure out how to proceed with the man trying to act like he’s not terrified.

Jeff comes back in with the water, unscrewing the top and holding it out toward Breaker. I intercept it, standing back up. I grab a straw that I put there earlier in anticipation of him waking up. I actually thought he would have been more alert yesterday. I was starting to worry a bit, but with his vitals strong, I was pretty sure he was fine. If it had taken another day or so, however, I was going to take him to the hospital. I didn’t know how I would handle things. I was very aware that taking him to my place to treat a gunshot wound would have cost me my license—especially since I didn’t check him into the hospital.

I quickly tear the plastic wrapper from the straw and push it into the bottle. “This will be better. Drink slow,” I warn him with what I hope passes for a kind smile. There’s this private worry in my mind that he’ll be upset that I didn’t take him to the hospital. Will he sue me? Shit, I really should have thought things over better before I got involved in all of this.

He sips the water, and I watch as his Adam's apple moves. That shouldn’t be sexy, and yet it is. I force my gaze up to look at the man’s face and he’s staring straight at me. I think he can see the desire I’m feeling in my eyes. Crap. His lips twitch, but the intensity on his face makes me feel like there’s electricity flowing through my veins. What in the hell is going on with me?

“Thanks,” he says gruffly as I pull the water back.

“Want some more?”

“Not yet,” he says. I nod, setting it on the nightstand.

“Are you a doctor?” he asks, his voice sounding strained by the time he finishes asking his question. Jeff nods at me and quietly leaves the room. It is a little crowded at the moment. I can’t say as I blame him. I’d like to escape with him instead of answering Breaker’s questions.

“No. I … uh … I found you,” I stutter, trying not to get him too upset.

“Found me?”

“Do you remember anything at all?” I ask, knowing that would make this simpler.

“No,” he says, his voice thick with emotion.

I sigh. “Someone shot you and threw your body into the lake. You must have been awake enough to drag yourself out though, because by the time it was semi-safe enough to get to you, you were lying unconscious on the ground, soaking wet, and bleeding.”

“I was shot?”

“I’m afraid so. The shot wasn’t as bad as it appeared, though. I think the ones that did it thought they killed you. Instead, the bullet went straight through. You bled a lot, but I was able to stitch you up. There will be a scar, and you will need to do some physical therapy to make sure you retain a full range of motion in your arm.”

“You found me after someone tried to kill me?”

“Yes. I was hiding on the hill that overlooked the road where they shot you and another man.”

“You have someone else here?”

I frown. I feel like I’m handling this all wrong. In my defense, there’s no handbook to tell you the correct way to tell someone that they were almost murdered and left for dead. I exhale, trying to tell him what has happened. I don’t know anything about this man. I have to be careful. “No. I’m afraid the other man was already dead.”

“Did you know him? Do you know who I am? Is my family here?”

I blink. “Your family?”

His brow furrows as if he’s trying to search for his answer. He ends up grunting, as if admitting he doesn’t find anything. “I have to have family, right? Everyone does …”

I don’t think right now is the time to point out that not everyone has a family at all. He’s dealing with enough and frankly, so am I. “I don’t know you. I’m sorry.”

“Why did you help me?”

“I couldn’t let you die. I had to help.”

“Did I have any ID or anything? You’re calling me Breaker. Is that my name?”

“I have no idea, I’m sorry. Your jeans had a faded outline on the pocket, so I think you had a wallet or something. Maybe they took it, or you could have lost it when they threw you in the lake. I’m really not sure. You had a motorcycle vest on and the patch on the front said Breaker . ”

“Where’s it at? Can I see it?” he asks.

Shit. “I … uh …” I blow out a breath. Screw it. “I had my friend Coop take it back to where I found you.”

“Why—”

“Please don’t get upset. It’s not healthy for you,” I caution him, holding up my hand. “I was afraid if they didn’t find some sign of you in or near the lake, they would hunt for you. I couldn’t risk that they’d come back and search my place. They passed me on the road before they shot you. They knew I was in the area. I can’t risk bringing them to my doorstep and possibly harming my daughter.”

He swallows, watching me. “You should have left me to die.”

“Not going to happen,” I huff at him. “Now, are you having any pain?”

“A headache. I feel damn tired, but I’m okay.”

“Mommy, can I come in now? I don’t want to be alone,” Tinny says, coming into the room cautiously. “Is the man okay?”

“Where is Iva?” Cooper asks.

“She’s at Mommy’s office,” Tinny supplies. “You’re awake,” she adds, looking straight at Breaker.

“Hi, Tinny,” he says, surprising me. His face doesn’t look as confused or angry anymore, either. It’s shocking how calm and inviting he looks. Heck, even his eyes seem to sparkle as he looks at my daughter. “Thank you for kissing my boo-boo.”

“You’re welcome!” my daughter chirps out proudly.

“You heard us?” I ask, remembering that conversation with my daughter.

“I did. I just couldn’t open my eyes or respond.”

I nod. “What do you say we check you out a little bit to see if you’re responding as you should? Then we’ll discuss your options.”

“I’m going to go check on Iva. We’ll talk soon, Breaker,” Cooper interjects, tipping his Stetson.

Breaker nods before answering me. “Okay.”

Tinny hugs Cooper as he leaves, then walks over to me and grabs the box of latex gloves I keep on the nightstand. She immediately takes two out and starts putting them on. She completely ignores that they are way too big for her.

“What do you think you’re doing, young lady?” I ask, staring down at my daughter.

“I’m your ‘sisstant, Mom,” she mumbles, like I should know the answer. I hear Cooper out in the hall, laughing as he heads for the front door. My gaze shifts to Breaker and he’s smiling at my daughter with so much warmth in his gaze, something eases inside of me. This is not a man cut from the same cloth as any of the Feral Kings MC members. He’s not a threat to my daughter. I breathe a little easier. She holds her hands up in the air and grins at Breaker. “Are you ready?” she asks. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud and hurting her feelings.

Breaker eyes widen in surprise, but his smile only deepens. “I’m ready,” he says gently. I take out the small flashlight from my shirt pocket and decide now is the time to make sure his eyes are responding right. Later, I’ll talk to him more about what happened. I don’t really want to discuss it with my daughter in the room. He looks at me and I think he understands, because he’s relaxed now and gives me a very slight nod.

I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m not truly scared now. Whoever Breaker is, he isn’t the kind to harm a child. Something tells me he wouldn’t purposefully hurt a woman either. I take my first free breath in a while, glad that I helped Breaker. Now, if we can just figure out how to get him home …