Shadow’s Heart (Devil’s Inferno MC #3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Shadow

S o from what Blade told me during his visit with Sera, the news of Megan’s role in what happened did not go down well with the rest of the MC. They were all fuming on both mine and Wreck’s behalf. It’s nice in a way that they all feel that way and didn’t once think to blame me, like I originally did. It’s one thing for me to blame myself; it’s another thing entirely when it’s the people you see as your family.

I can’t help but blame myself. No matter what Wreck says, I should have seen the signs that she was a threat to him. I shouldn’t have ignored all the red flags I had seen and experienced. Fuck. Stop. It’s over; she’s gone. Blaming myself isn’t going to change anything. Drowning myself in guilt isn’t going to change what happened. I just need to focus on Wreck and help him in whatever way he needs. I’m sure my guilt will subside eventually.

I can tell Wreck’s getting tired again now that Sera and Blade have left; his eyes keep dropping shut before he jolts himself back awake. It’s sort of adorable in a way, but he needs to stop that shit and get some rest. His body needs it to recover.

“Stop fighting it and close your eyes.” I say breaking the comfortable silence we’ve been sitting in.

“Only if you join me, I sleep better knowing you’re next to me.”

I can’t argue with that; I sleep better knowing he’s next to me too. After what happened, I’m not surprised we both need each other. It’s how it’s always been with us, and I doubt that’s ever going to change.

Crawling into bed next to him, I settle down on my side, placing one arm over his chest. His heartbeat slowly starts to lull me to sleep, and before I even realize what’s happening, I’m out like a light. Safe with the knowledge he’s next to me.

* * *

I’m woken by the sounds of voices talking quietly. Opening my eyes, I see the doctor and Wreck talking. It’s pretty bright in here, so I’m guessing we both slept through the night, which I am taking as a massive fucking win. I was a little worried one or both of us would be plagued by nightmares. Hearing the tail end of the conversation, I realize Wreck is being released. Thank fuck. I’m so ready for us both to be home, and I can’t say I’m going to have an issue with having a bigger bed to sleep in. These hospital beds really aren’t made for two men our size.

The doctor leaves once they wrap up their conversation, making sure we both know a nurse will be in soon with Wreck’s discharge papers and instructions. I get out of bed, focusing on what I need to do to get us ready to leave as soon as we can. Walking towards the bag that’s set down by the door, a bag that I have no clue which visitor left, as we’ve had a lot since Wreck first arrived at the hospital, but I know what will be inside. Clean clothes for us both. I’m definitely thankful for someone’s forethought.

Opening the bag, I take out both sets of black sweatpants and white tops. They’re nothing spectacular, but they’re comfy and clean. Just what we need right now. I pass one set to Wreck while taking the other and heading into the bathroom. I quickly change clothes before heading back out, where I find Wreck has managed to get dressed on his own, but it’s clearly caused him pain. His face is lined with it.

“You should have waited for me to help you.”

“Maybe, but I just want to get out of here. I’ve had enough now.”

I can understand that; I want out of here too. The door opens, and a nurse enters pushing a wheelchair. Fuck, he’s not going to like having to get in that to leave, but hospital policy doesn’t care about that. The face he pulls is one of utter disgust, and I can’t stop the laugh that breaks free. It’s so fucking good to be able to laugh for the first time in days without worrying for Wreck’s safety playing on my mind. It feels amazing.

Wreck gets himself situated, even if I can tell he’d rather walk out of here on his own two feet. Five minutes, that’s all it takes for us to wheel out of the hospital and towards the SUV Wrath left for us. I need to remember to thank him later; my head’s been far too all over the place; I hadn’t even thought about how we’d get home. This list of people I need to apologize and thank is getting longer and longer by the day. I’m lucky everyone has been so fucking understanding.

The drive home doesn’t take long, and before either of us know it, I’m pulling up in front of my house on The Compound. I love the way it turned out. Unlike the house I shared with Wrath and Flame until recently, my place is a single story. It’s designed more like a giant cabin than a normal house, but I absolutely love it. The minute I saw the design for it, I knew this was what I wanted. Something deep inside me told me this was my perfect home, even if it wasn’t what I thought I wanted. Originally I planned to have a house built very similar to my brother’s, and what I ended up going with is anything but what my brother has. I couldn’t be happier that I followed my gut in picking this design; I can’t imagine living anywhere else now. It’s perfect. Also, now that I’m thinking about it, the fact that my home is all on one level is a really good thing with Wreck’s ribs being hurt. Less strain for him while getting around.

Climbing out the SUV, I walk around to Wreck’s side of the vehicle and wait for him to climb out. I don’t offer to help, even though I really want to. I know he needs to do this himself, and if I need to step in and help, I will, but until that happens, I plan on standing here and watching him. It’s really hard not to just stare at him constantly now that he’s back with me. Part of me thinks it’s because I’m afraid I’ll look away and he’ll disappear.

It’s amazing what you notice when you’re paying really close attention to someone, and I can’t help but take notice of the tension bleeding from his body now we’re here. It’s freaking amazing to know that bringing him to my home causes such a strong reaction. Actually, I can feel my own body doing the same thing now that we’re here. I feel much better knowing we’re safely behind the walls of The Compound. For me, there’s no place safer for Wreck right now. Even knowing Megan is gone, I can’t help but worry something or someone else will come for Wreck. It might not be rational, but I can’t help the fear I’m feeling after coming so close to losing him for good.

I shake off my thoughts because my fears have no place here right now. I start walking next to Wreck, just in case he needs a hand, heading for my front door. As I go to open it, I stop in my tracks as it opens from the inside. My nephew Cam is now standing in the doorway to greet us. I really shouldn’t be surprised that at least some members of my family are already here and inside. They knew Wreck was being released today.

“Welcome home. We’re just dropping off food Papa cooked up for you. He doesn’t trust your cooking skills, Uncle Shadow.”

His words earn him a full-on laugh from Wreck. Fuck if that isn’t one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard in recent memory, even if he’s laughing at my expense. Seriously though, I’m not that bad of a cook, but nothing compares to Flame’s cooking. So I’m not even going to open my mouth and try to defend myself. I’m not risking him taking whatever he’s cooked up away. No chance in hell. I’m not fucking stupid.

We follow Cam into my farm-style kitchen, where I see Flame sliding dishes into both my fridge and freezer. So it would seem my brother-in-law decided to cook up a storm. Fuck, there’s enough food in just my fridge to last the week. We’re going to be eating like kings for a while with what Flame’s provided. I am curious as to when he found the time to cook it all, though. Did the man stay up all night to make sure he’d have enough food to stock us up with?

“Thanks man.” I say, slapping his shoulder.

“No problem. You know we all want to do anything we can to help, and well, this is my way.”

“We both appreciate it.” Wreck says as he slides into one of the seats at my kitchen counter.

“Don’t you want to get settled on the couch; it’ll be more comfortable for you.”

He looks at me, and I can see he’s in pain from the look on his eyes. Fucking stubborn man trying to carry on like normal when he’s injured. I shake my head at him and, without another word, guide him from the seat and into the other room. No way am I going to give the man a chance to argue with me. He must be in a hell of a lot of pain because he doesn’t fight me at all.

I laugh when I see what’s in my living room. Someone, and I have no idea who—it could literally be anyone—has collected a shitload of pillows and piled them all up on my coffee table. They’ll definitely work in helping Wreck get in the comfiest position possible. Someone clearly wanted to do their part in helping too. I wish I knew who to thank.