Chapter Six

Alana

W AKING UP, I’M on fire and can’t move in the bed that feels softer than a cloud. Even when I try to stretch out my body, I can’t move. Opening my eyes, I see Ghost and Geek on either side of me asleep. Looking at Geek first, I take in his long brown hair fanned out across the pillow under his head. His face is completely relaxed with his long eyelashes resting against his face. Ghost and Geek have the kind of lashes any girl would kill for. They’re long and full and emphasize their eyes more than anyone else I’ve ever met in my life. Geek has one arm resting under his head with the other arm over my body holding me tight as if I’ll disappear on him. Turning to look at Ghost, I take in his lean shoulders and chest that are on display. Other than his back and upper arms, he has no tattoos and I’ve always wondered why. His dirty blond hair is sticking up and it looks as if his hand is running through the short strands while my head rests on his other arm. Both men are sexy as hell even if they’re human heaters.

Slowly, I try to slide out of bed without waking either man. They’ve been getting up with me when I have nightmares and don’t go back to sleep if I can’t. Yes, I have nightmares almost nightly about Terrence and what he’s put me through for the last year of my life. I feel so fucking stupid for allowing him to not only put his hands on me and abuse me mentally and emotionally but for having the ability to still affect my life with the nightmares and not wanting to leave the safety of the compound. When I was with Jameson and Reagan, we went to dinner one time away from the clubhouse because I didn’t want to be in public. The only reason I allowed them to take me out was because my brother begged me to get away from the compound. When we were in Cedar Bay, I didn’t leave the compound at all and Haley was good with it. The truth is I wanted to go to her diner and help her when she had to work, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Instead, I hung out with my nephews and niece and tried to forget about Terrence and all the hell he brought to my life.

I manage to get out of bed without waking either man. Looking back at them, I take in what I can see of them and my mouth waters with the thought of them in my life and bed. I haven’t ever dated a lot and Terrence was my first real boyfriend. It should’ve been obvious from the very beginning that he wasn’t the man for me because I’ve always compared any man in my life to Ghost and Geek and what I remembered about them when we were growing up. None of them ever compared and no one ever will. These two men are among the best and I will do everything I can to make them happy and feel as if they’re making the right decision by taking a chance with me. Yes, I overheard them talking last night and I can say I’m fully on board with them. I can also reluctantly agree that while I don’t feel as if I have to get over any heartbreak when it comes to Terrence, I do have to heal from the abuse he put me through. So, seeing the counselor will help me with that.

Making my way into the bathroom after grabbing my phone, I close the door and turn on the shower while sending a message to my parents.

Me: I’m in Pine View now. We got in yesterday and all I wanted to do was crash. I’m sorry I didn’t message you when we got here. I love you all so much.

Setting my phone on the counter by the sink, I strip down and take care of business while grabbing a towel from the shelf to hang by the combined bathtub and shower. There’s already bottles of the body wash, shampoo, and conditioner I use on the shelves. A brand-new razor is also sitting there waiting for me to use and I’m thankful because I would have to go out and get a new one since I’ve lost mine somewhere along the way.

For the first time since the attack, I allow myself to turn and look in the mirror over the sink. While I’ve looked long enough to make sure my hair looked okay, I haven’t fully accepted everything that’s been done to me by Terrence. Today is the day I start to take back the power I’ve been giving him over me. I look at the fading bruises that are a nasty yellow and green color on my face and neck. The small cuts that cover my skin are mostly healed and won’t leave scars behind. A few scabs linger and I hate that they’re still there. My skin is pale and the freckles I’ve always loathed stand out against my skin even more than normal. On my neck a few of the bruises show Terrence’s fingers where they dug into my flesh. Since I’m standing naked in front of the mirror I can see the stitches on my chest from where he sliced my skin open. Honestly, I’m glad I don’t even remember him doing that because I imagine it hurt like hell.

“Tink. Are you okay, baby?” Ghost’s smooth, deep voice breaks me from the thoughts racing through my head as I turn to look at him in the doorway of the bathroom.

I feel the tears sliding down my face and have no clue when I started crying. Apparently I was so focused on inspecting the damage that’s been healing and fading with time to realize Terrence still has the power to hurt me. I rush to Ghost’s arms and wrap myself around him.

“I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve allowed myself to look at what Terrence has done to me,” I whisper to him as he wraps his strong arms around my body and holds me close.

“I’ve got you, Tink,” he whispers, pressing a kiss against the top of my head as Geek enters the bathroom and hugs me from behind, squishing me between the two men I want to keep in my life.

“We’ve both got you, Sweet Angel,” Geek whispers, kissing my shoulder. “I know you want a shower, but you can’t get your cast wet and I’m not sure if you’ll be able to get your chest wet yet with the stitches still there. Would you mind if we get Doc in here to check you out before you take a full shower?”

“That’s a good idea. I honestly wasn’t even thinking about the stitches in my chest. I just wanted to take a shower since it feels as if it’s been forever since I was able to take one. I’ve mainly been doing baths and washing up with a wet washcloth,” I say, eying the hot water filling the bathroom with steam.

“I’ll go call Doc and see when he can get here. Why don’t you have Ghost help you get a bath? He can wash your hair for you so you don’t get anythin’ wet that’s not supposed to,” Geek says, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine in a chaste kiss when I turn to look at him gratefully.

Geek disappears before I can answer him and leaves me in the bathroom with his best friend. Ghost helps me in the tub after turning off the shower and letting it start to fill with water. He remains outside it but crouches down after grabbing the cup on the sink.

“Tilt your head back, Tink,” he says, his voice sending chills through me as I look up at him.

With a smile on my face, I tilt my head back and close my eyes. My back arches a little bit and I know my chest is on full display and I can’t help it. The skin pulls a little tight with the stitches and healing wound. It doesn’t hurt necessarily, but it doesn’t feel the best either. Ghost gently wets my hair and runs his finger through the long strands in an attempt to untangle the mess my hair always becomes when I sleep. When he’s satisfied my hair is wet enough, Ghost sets the cup down and grabs the bottle of shampoo. He massages the suds into my hair and I can’t stop the moan from escaping when his strong fingers massage my head and neck. My eyes snap open and I look at Ghost as he stares down at me. The sapphire color of his eyes is almost completely gone as his pupils dilate.

“Gotta stop moanin’ like that, Tink. It’s puttin’ all kinds of ideas in my head and I don’t think you’re ready for all that yet,” he tells me, his voice even deeper than before as he rinses the shampoo out of my hair before shutting off the water that’s been filling the tub.

“I’m sorry. It just feels so good,” I tell him honestly as I close my eyes once again.

“No one’s ever taken care of you, have they?” he questions softly as I listen to him grab the conditioner and repeat the process.

“No. Terrence was my first real boyfriend. I dated when I was in high school and a little bit in college, but most of the guys only wanted one of two things. They either wanted a way in with the club or thought I was a slut who would fuck them and all their friends because I grew up in a clubhouse. In their minds a club is all about sex and partying with nothing else. They don’t think of the people those men and women are or how life actually happens with them. I learned really quick not to invest myself in anyone. Don’t ask me what changed with Terrence because I really can’t tell you. It just kind of happened and I regret every single second I was with him,” I tell him, the words flowing out easily with my eyes closed so I don’t have to look at him and see the pity or other emotion filling his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Alana. I promise you right now that Geek and I will take care of you every day for the rest of our lives. You won’t ever be alone and have to fight on your own ever again. Not that you ever really had to before because we all know your dads and Pops will kill anyone who hurts any of their kids. Now, you have the two of us and if this is what we do every day, I don’t have a problem with it,” Ghost tells me, my eyes opening as I look at him and see the sincerity of his words filling his eyes as he stares at me.

“Do you have to work today?” I ask him, not knowing when he wants me to start at Phantom Ink.

“No. We’re goin’ in tomorrow. I’ll spend the mornin’ with you and walk you through the setup you’ll be workin’ with. It’s easy and borin’ work that we’ve all been doin’. I hate takin’ payments and goin’ through the aftercare bullshit with each client. Especially the women who only want to linger longer after gettin’ a tattoo or piercin’ done. I’d rather be inkin’ someone than worryin’ about the rest of the bullshit that comes with managin’ a business,” he answers me as Geek makes his way back in the bathroom, crouching down next to Ghost without any words.

Geek picks up the washcloth resting on the side of the tub and gets it wet with fresh water after pulling the plug from the drain and turning the water back on again. Ghost squeezes out the excess water from my hair while Geek washes the parts of my body I can get wet. He’s very careful to avoid the wound on my chest and gentle when he gets close to the bruises covering my body.

“Doc will be here in less than twenty. He’s havin’ a slow day at the office and doesn’t want to wait to check on your wounds since it’s been a while. He can’t X-ray your hand here at the clubhouse, but he can do everythin’ else. Before Doc leaves, he’ll figure out when you can get to his office so he can check the healin’ in your hand and determine how much longer the cast will have to stay on,” Geek informs us as he rinses the soap from my skin while Ghost grabs two towels. I only grabbed one, so he pulls out a second one from the closet and waits for me to be finished with my bath.

Ghost and Geek dry me off and lead me back into the bedroom where my bags from the car are laying on the floor at the end of the bed. I still need to unload my car and get the rest of my belongings in here so I can unpack and settle in. Instead of grabbing clothes to cover the wound, I pull out a tank top that dips low over my chest and a button-down shirt to cover me up when Doc isn’t inspecting my wounds. It will be easy to remove and fit over the cast on my hand. Today needs to be a day for comfort so I grab a pair of leggings and slide them up my legs after pulling on a pair of panties that will match the bra I chose for today.

Geek and Ghost leave long enough to take quick showers in their rooms and dress for the day before meeting me back in the room we shared last night. Together, we make our way down to the common room and find it almost empty with the exception of Vault, Annabell, Savannah, Valor, Brynn, and King. King is holding one of the babies to his chest and smiles when he sees me enter the room. I watch as he gets out of his seat and makes his way over to us.

“It’s good to see you again, Alana. Are you okay? Do you need anythin’?” he asks me, pulling me from the two men behind me to give me a one-armed hug as I look down at the baby in his arms.

“I’m good, King. Thank you. Who is this little bundle of joy?” I return, my voice filling with emotion as I look down at the little bundle nestled safely against his dad’s chest.

“This is Remy. She’s the smallest of the triplets and the youngest. Bishop was born first and then Alara. They’re sleepin’ right now. Remy was havin’ a hard time sleepin’, so I’ve been rockin’ her in my arms. Brynn has been waitin’ to see you or she’d be sleepin’ right now too,” he answers me, handing over his daughter as I carefully hold her and don’t let my cast hurt her little, precious skin.

“She’s beautiful. Brynn and you know how to make some adorable babies,” I tell the proud man standing next to me as we slowly make our way over to the table they’re all sitting at.

“Thank you, Alana. Remy must have known you were here and wanted to meet you before her brother and sister,” Brynn says as I hand the little girl back to King so I can take a seat.

Until I get my cast off, I don’t want to risk hurting a newborn because I’m not confident in holding them without hurting them. And taking a seat is a small challenge for me these days with my body in pain still. For the most part the pain is gone, but every now and then I get a muscle spasm or an ache that digs in deep and won’t let up. That’s when I feel my weakest and don’t trust myself to hold a child in my arms.

As I get comfortable in my seat, the door of the clubhouse opens and I turn to see an older man enter with a bag in his arms.

“Alana, this is Doc. Doc, meet Alana,” Ghost introduces us as I hold out my hand for the man to shake.

“It’s nice to meet you, Alana. I wish it were under better circumstances, but I’m sure I’ll see you plenty if you plan on stayin’ here in Pine View,” Doc greets me, his voice soft and gentle as I smile back at him.

“You too. Is there a room you have here or would you rather just examine me here?” I ask him, not sure what Doc usually does in these circumstances.

“It’s whatever you’re comfortable with, Alana. If you want to stay out here, I’m good with it. I did tell Geek about you comin’ to the office for X-rays on your hand,” he says as I nod in acknowledgment.

“I’m comfortable here for you to examine me. I grew up with a different club and everyone here will know what’s going on with me before too long,” I answer him as Ghost and Geek move to stand closer to me in support.

Doc sets his bag on the table and starts to examine my face and neck. He asks me if my throat is bothering me with the bruising Terrence left behind. I assure him it doesn’t hurt and really hasn’t since I woke up in the hospital. He inspects the wound on my chest and lets me know the stitches are ready to come out. Doc removes the stitches carefully and inspects everything as he goes to ensure there won’t be any bleeding along the way. Then he moves on to inspect the wounds from having to get my spleen removed saying it’s healing nicely and doesn’t appear as if there will be any infection setting in since it should’ve happened before now. Again, he removes the stitches there and bandages both wounds up just to be on the safe side.

“Can I take a shower now? I mean, I know I can’t get my cast wet, but I’d do almost anything to take a full shower,” I ask Doc once he’s done and putting everything back in his bag.

“Give it another day or two before you take a shower. While the wounds are closed, I want to make sure they heal just a little bit more before you blast them with water. For now, keep the bandages dry and clean, changin’ them at least a few times a day. The boys can help you so you’re not tryin’ to do it one handed. Tomorrow when you get done with work, I’ll meet you at the office so we can check on your hand and see how that’s healin’. I’ve reviewed your chart from the hospital and can tell you now that you’ll be put in a hand brace after the cast is removed,” Doc informs me, his voice informative and gentle as he looks between Ghost, Geek, and myself knowing they’ll be helping me through this.

“Sounds good. Thank you, Doc. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” I say as he leaves the clubhouse once he’s checked in with Brynn to ensure she’s feeling okay and the babies are good.

No one comments on my injuries and what they’ve just seen. I’m sure it was a shock for them all and I hate that they’ve had to see what that asshole did to me. I can see the tears in the eyes of Annabell as she looks at me with a sad smile on her face. When she gets up from her seat and heads for the kitchen, Savannah and I follow her while I see Brynn and King making their way upstairs to their room here at the clubhouse. I’m sure King is getting his wife into bed since he finally managed to get Remy to sleep. Annabell, Savannah, and I don’t speak as we start preparing lunch for those still at the clubhouse. There aren’t many people here, but as ol’ ladies of the club, they are always prepared to take care of the members, kids, and women here on the compound. I’ve always helped my family out as long as I can remember and this is no different.