10. Nitro

10

NITRO

Tommy and I spent the rest of the night cuddling. No surprise that when we woke up the next day, it was almost noon.

My phone started going off, and I groaned at the noise, the interruption to our lazy morning irritating me.

I wanted to find my device and hurl it against the closest wall, then spend the rest of the Saturday rolling in bed with Tommy.

Speaking of Tommy, he looked gorgeous, his arms wrapped around me, his head resting on my chest.

I couldn't resist the urge to run my fingers through his disheveled hair, savoring the warmth of the moment, contemplating stealing a kiss from him.

Then my phone's ringtone started again, shattering the tranquility of our cocoon. Tommy woke, looking just as grumpy as I felt.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

I was about to tell him I had no plans to, determined to ignore the outside world for a little longer, then remembered what day it was.

Swearing under my breath, I gently pried Tommy's arms from around me and began the search for my elusive phone.

When I finally located it under the bed and answered the call, Tommy sat up, his expression shifting from sleepiness to concern.

Spike's panicked voice came through, cutting through the air like a knife.

"Nitro, where are you? I need you, man,” Spike said.

The urgency in Spike's voice left no room for delay. I exchanged a worried glance with Tommy.

Tommy silently mouthed the words "Go."

Nodding in acknowledgment, I grabbed my jacket and moved towards the door.

"I'll be right there," I told Spike. "Is there really no way to cancel this?"

"Cancel this? Nitro, this is a matter of pride," Spike retorted.

I found myself wondering whether I preferred dealing with Spike sober or drunk.

At least when he was intoxicated, there was a chance he might see reason. Trying to make him see logic over the phone seemed futile.

"Just get here," Spike mumbled, ending the call abruptly.

Tommy, who had likely overheard the conversation, offered, "I could come with you."

It was a sincere offer, but involving him in the affairs of the MC wasn't an option.

Imagining Tommy amidst a group of rowdy bear shifters sparked possessiveness and jealousy within me.

Firmly shaking my head, I made it clear that Tommy staying behind was non-negotiable.

“Sorry, I need to focus on Spike and if you’re there, I’d want to murder every bear shifter who so much as looks at you wrong,” I admitted.

“Alright,” Tommy said. “Take care of Spike and call me?”

“I will,” I assured him, finally leaving his apartment.

By the time I had arrived at the MC compound, the fight was about to begin.

A knot of worry tightened in my stomach as I quickened my pace toward the challenge circle behind the MC clubhouse.

A crowd had gathered. Some of my MC brothers were making bets. I growled, pushing my way until I was at the very front.

The tension in the air crackled as Spike and Venom faced off, both shifting into their massive grizzly forms.

Spike roared, his fur bristled, and his muscles rippled with power as he lunged at Venom, claws extended. The two bear shifters clashed.

The fight unfolded with a ferocity that left no room for hesitation.

Despite Spike's relentless efforts, Venom proved to be a formidable adversary.

The fight was intense, a brutal exchange of strength and skill.

I watched, my heart pounding, torn between the urge to intervene and the realization that Spike needed to do this on his own.

As the struggle wore on, Spike began losing ground.

Venom, was the more vicious and tactical fighter and he quickly gained the upper hand.

Each of Venom’s attacks landed with a bone-rattling force, and it was clear that the fight was taking its toll on Spike.

I clenched my fists by my sides, fearful for Spike.

Then, in a moment that sent a shiver down my spine, Venom delivered a final, decisive blow.

Spike, though battered and bruised, lay on the ground, defeated.

I held my breath, fearing the worst. Venom looked down at Spike for few moments.

My heart raced. Was this Spike’s final moments on this earth?

To my surprise and relief, Venom spared Spike's life. The tension in the air eased, and the weight lifted from my chest.

As Venom turned away, leaving Spike on the ground, a mixture of emotions swirled within me.

Relief washed over me. Spike had been granted a chance to live.

As the crowd dissipated, I noticed Micah, the official healer for the MC and the raven shifters, standing nearby.

Beside him stood Greed. Micah acknowledged my presence with a curt nod.

A silent understanding passed between us as Micah made his way toward Spike, who remained motionless on the ground.

"Thank you," I murmured to Greed, grateful for their presence as we hurried to join Micah at Spike's side.

Greed gave a nonchalant grunt in response. It wasn't a secret that Greed didn't get along with Spike.

No surprise there, given Spike attempted to flirt with Micah recently.

Micah knelt on the ground, and he placed his hands over the deep cuts marring Spike's chest.

I watched in awe as the cuts faded and now looked days old.

"Don't thank me," Greed grumbled, his tone low and gruff. "I don't like Spike much. Mayhem asked me and Micah to be present for today's fight."

Micah rose to his feet, the lines of concern etched on his face as he finished tending to Spike's injuries. He sighed and met my gaze.

"That's all I can do for Spike," Micah said.

I nodded, understanding that Micah's abilities, though formidable, had limitations.

"We're done here," Greed declared, sounding impatient. Micah shot him a pointed look.

"Greed, be a little nicer. Help Nitro carry Spike back to the MC clubhouse," Micah suggested.

I appreciated Micah's attempt to bridge the gap, but Greed didn’t look the least bit interested in helping me carry Spike.

I shook my head. "We've imposed enough. I can manage," I said, not wanting to burden Micah and Greed further.

"See? They'll be fine," Greed said with a dismissive wave.

Micah, however, shot him a reproachful glance before turning back to me.

"Take care of him, Nitro," Micah urged. “I’ll check in on him in a few days.”

“I will. Thanks, Micah,” I said.

It took some effort, but I finally managed to drag Spike's unconscious, grizzly form back to his room at the MC clubhouse.

The weight of his massive body made the task challenging, and I cursed and grunted the entire way.

Spike remained in a deep slumber, completely unresponsive to the world around him. The fight had taken its toll on him.

I was careful with him, not wanting to reopen any of the injuries Micah had taken care of.

The hallway leading to Spike's room seemed longer than usual. I focused on the task at hand, determined to get him to the safety and familiarity of his own den.

As we reached his room, I carefully maneuvered Spike onto the bed. With a deep exhale, I stepped back, surveying my best friend.

To my annoyance, Spike suddenly shifted back to his human form.

I couldn't help but grumble internally—why couldn't he have done this transformation earlier when he was still outside?

Maneuvering a full-grown grizzly through the clubhouse was no easy feat.

Spike groaned, probably exhausted from the shift. He finally opened his eyes, blinking away the remnants of unconsciousness.

Spike gasped, uttering a single word, "water."

I hurried to the nearby sink, filling a glass with water and bringing it back to Spike.

Handing him the glass, I watched as he took a few slow sips.

"Easy there," I said. "You took quite a beating."

"Tell me, Nitro. Did I make an ass of myself?" Spike asked, sounding a little pathetic.

I hesitated, considering my response.

Spike was clearly feeling sorry for himself, and I decided it might be best not to fuel that self-deprecating fire.

Instead of answering, I remained silent, letting the question linger in the air. Spike probably took my silence as an answer in itself.

"Say, did you manage to get back to Tommy last night?" Spike inquired, shifting the focus away from his own predicament.

I took a seat on a nearby armchair, sensing that we might be steering clear of the topic of the fight, at least for now.

"Yeah," I responded. I couldn’t help but smile. "He had an episode, but it's fine now. We're hooking up later."

Spike let out a low whistle, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction.

"I meant, we're going on another date," I clarified, amused by the misinterpretation.

"That's great," Spike said, a genuine smile touching his lips as he settled against his pillows.

Spike added, “Don't let that one slip from your fingers, Nitro. He's a good one."

"Don't I know it," I murmured.

What Tommy and I had was special. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Spike's words were a reminder not to take it for granted.

As Spike closed his eyes, drifting into sleep, I quietly slipped out of the room. Then I remembered I owed Tommy an update.

Pulling out my phone, I sent Tommy a text, assuring him that Spike was fine. I asked him what time he was free to meet.

Tommy's immediate response made me chuckle.

"Right now."