“How long do I have to stay here for?” I ask while flinching.
“I’d like to perform some tests and a scan to see if your internal bleeding has stopped. At this stage, if it hasn’t, I’d like for you to stay another night.”
It’s going to be much harder if Viper comes back to see me and doesn’t leave, wanting me to come back to the clubhouse with him. “Can I leave later this afternoon if it has stopped?”
She studies me. “Yes, you can. Will you have anyone to monitor you?”
I hope I can stay with Lawson. Harrison works shifts and at times stays at the fire station, whereas Lawson might be able to work from home for a day. “Yes,” I reply, but I don’t mention who. I don’t think Milly would say anything, but I don’t want to risk her telling the club I’m leaving to stay with my brother.
TWENTY-ONE
HEARTACHE
Sophie
“Here,let me get that for you,” says Lawson, passing me the TV remote.
“I can get it,” I snap. I give him a tight smile. I don’t enjoy being dependent on anyone, but here I am, feeling useless. Lawson raises his hands in surrender.
As I lean over to retrieve the remote, a twinge of pain shoots through my ribs. There’s a chuckle across from me.
“If I knew you were going to be a bitch to look after, I would have left you in the hospital.”
“Sorry,” I mutter under my breath. “I hate feeling like this.” My body aches all over, especially my ribs, but it’s the ache in my chest that hurts the most.
“At least you’ll be healed by Zara and Knox’s photos at the wedding.”
My sharp intake of breath makes me cough. I forgot about Zara and Bomber’s wedding. I have to go—I wouldn’t miss it for the world—but it’s going to be hard to fake being okay when I see Viper and the whole MC again.
My phone rings, but I don’t answer it because I know it’ll be Viper and I don’t have it in me to talk to him… not tonight. The ringing stops, but moments later it chimes, which suggests I have a voicemail. Followed by Lawson’s phone ringing.
He raises a brow at me, grabs his phone, answers it, and puts it on loudspeaker.
“Where is she?” Viper asks. I frown at the worry in his voice.
“Sophie’s safe. She’s staying with me.”
There’s a heavy breath through the phone. “Why did she leave? She didn’t tell me, and she won’t answer her phone.”
“Whatever is going on is between you two, I’m not getting involved. Sophie’s still in pain, she’s tired, and…”—Lawson looks me dead in the eyes and says—“she’s being a bitch. I think I’m doing you a favor. Anyway, she’s here, she’s fine. Just give her a bit of space and I’m sure she’ll contact you soon.”
“She’s my wife.”
My head falls back from the sadness in his voice. There’s a painful tightness in my chest. I’m delaying the inevitable. I don’t know how I’m going to tell him. I know if I tell him the truth, he won’t accept it. It pains me to have to hurt him, but I can’t be the reason the MC ends up in jail either.
“As I said, try calling her again tomorrow.”
“If she doesn’t pick up tomorrow, I’ll be at your doorstep.”
Lawson sighs. “Okay, Viper. I’ll let her know.”
After they hang up, Lawson shakes his head while his eyes are on me. “What are your plans with him?”
“Dad gave me an ultimatum. Divorce and leave Viper or he’ll ensure one way or another that the whole MC ends up in jail.”
Lawson’s mouth parts. “I can have a word with Dad if you want.”
“There’s no point. He won’t listen.”
