Going through to the other room, she found Edward puking into the bowl she’d left. She didn’t wait for Zero to tell her what to do. Charging for the bed, she wrapped her arms around his back, stroking his hair.
“Let it all out. I’ve got you, Edward.”
He grumbled but didn’t say anything.
“You shouldn’t be holding him, Sophia,” Zero said.
She looked up glaring at him. “Lash didn’t say anything about not being there for him. I’m holding him, which is what everyone deserves when they’re ill.”
Edward wasn’t all that conscious either. She could tell from the way he was acting. His body was covered with sweat, and the scent of the vomit was making her sick to her stomach. When he was finished, she left his side instantly even though he reached toward her.
“I need something. It hurts.”
“You’re not getting anything, pal,” Zero said.
“I wasn’t f**king talking to you.”
“Come on, Sophia, please.” He was looking at her with doggy eyes. Sad doggy eyes at that. She cleared away the bowl, wiped away the spillage, and grabbed his chin harshly.
“You’re not getting anything from me but a f**king bowl of porridge. You’ve been a bad little bear.” She shoved him away and walked off even as he started to curse her, calling her names.
Blocking everything out, she went back to bed, holding onto her teddy as if it was a lifeline. Minutes later Zero walked into the room. Within moments he was settling behind her.
She tensed. “What the hell are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m not going to try anything with you. It seems you need a hug. I’m offering you comfort, Sophia, without any crap.”
She turned toward him seeing the sincerity on his face. Slowly his arms wrapped around her. Sophia didn’t want to fight him and curled in close.
Not been alone with a man and now you’re sleeping next to one you don’t know. Classy.
“He doesn’t mean anything he’s saying. It’s the drugs. The detox makes you do crazy shit.”
“I did this, Zero. I pushed him away, and it has been a big regret. I love him, and I shouldn’t have done what I did.”
“He should have been stronger. Yeah, you pushed him away, but you didn’t force the f**king drugs up his nose. Do you really think you could have stopped him with that?” Zero asked.
“I don’t know.” She closed her eyes, enjoying being held even if it was by someone she barely knew.
“Thank you for being here with me,” she said.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
When she next woke up it was to see Lash staring down at them. “I see you two had a busy night.”
Sophia blinked the sunlight out of her eyes becoming aware of Zero lying right close behind her, along with the evidence of his happiness to be that close. Jumping out of bed she headed toward the kitchen without looking back. There was nothing going on between her and Zero. She didn’t even know why the other biker was being so nice to her. Zero’s kindness and attention were unnerving her.
Edward was sat on the bed. He was pale and looked like shit. When he stared up there were tears in his eyes. Shooting him a glare, she started to work on the breakfast. Another biker was sat at the table, and she jumped back.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m Killer.” The man was larger than Lash and looked far more deadly. “I’m taking over for Zero.” There was no way she was letting this giant cuddle up against her. Fuck, she shouldn’t have let Zero cuddle against her. There was no way she wanted him getting the wrong idea about her.
“Did you sleep well?” Edward asked.
She nodded, not meeting his eyes.
“Well I had a great night’s sleep,” Zero said, walking through. His hand lingered on her hip as he kissed her cheek. “It’s just for show.” He whispered so only she could hear.
Chancing a look at Edward she saw he was tense and his hands were tight fists.
Putting together some food for the bikers she finished Edward’s porridge last. “Here you go, Edward,” she said, handing him the bowl.
“What happened to Nash?”
It was the first time he’d asked about the name change. She felt the men behind her were ready to take over. Bending down to his level, she stared him in the eye. “Nash is part of The Skulls. He’s not a druggie or an addict. You’re not him.”
Turning away from him she walked into the bedroom to get changed. None of the men came through, which she was thankful for. When she was done, she ate her own porridge before finishing the dishes she’d used.
“I’m staying today,” Lash said. “You can go until tonight.” He spoke to the other men waiting for their instructions.
Zero and Killer left the building leaving her alone with the two brothers. From the look Lash was giving his brother, it was going to be a long day.
Going through to the other room she grabbed a book and went to sit down at the table. Every now and again she winced as Lash landed a blow to his brother. When he released the cuffs binding him to the wall she was surprised.
They fought, hard. Edward didn’t get many blows in. It took everything inside her not to stop what was happening. She needed to trust Lash that he knew what he was doing.
Sophia hoped she could stick it out to make Edward better. She hated seeing him ill.
****
That night Edward was chained to the wall. He’d already thrown up everything he’d eaten, but the shaking was the worst. Edward hated the shaking more than anything else. Every now and then he looked at the door separating him from Sophia. Killer had left him an hour ago, and he couldn’t help but wonder what the hell was going on beyond that door.
Don’t think about it.
Zero had made sure he knew about his interest. Sophia was his woman.
You don’t deserve her.
He needed her though. With Sophia close he felt like his whole world was complete. The only problem he found was the fact he couldn’t reach out and touch her. She was there, but when he spoke to her, shit came out of his mouth.
The door opening quietly startled him. Around the corner Sophia appeared. She was wearing a pair of cute teddy bear pajamas as she walked toward him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. The blanket she’d given him was wrapped around his shoulders. When she sat down on the mattress he was taken aback. Wasn’t she afraid he’d hurt her?
“I couldn’t sleep, and I needed to see you. Today was harsh.”