Page 79 of Iron Heart
“In case he died,” I finish in a whisper. “He…”
I choke, the last words Dante’s brother ever said to me echoing in my head.
“Dominic said to tell you he’s sorry.”
31
Dante
Tori rides home on the back of my bike like a champ, even with her fucked-up ankle. I consider bringing her back to the clubhouse, but right now I want her safely away from everything MC related. Instead, I break off from the formation when we get into Ironwood and drive her to her place. I call two prospects to stand guard outside, with strict orders to call me if anything even slightly out of the ordinary happens.
Axel sent Reno ahead to the clubhouse to get some medical supplies, and he meets me at Tori’s house not long after we get there. In the living room, he stabilizes Tori’s ankle, and gives her some painkillers and a med to help her sleep. He tells Tori she ought to go to the hospital to get her foot X-rayed, but she refuses.
“Right now, I just want to get cleaned up and rest for a while,” she insists. “I promise I’ll go to get it looked at tomorrow.”
I carry her upstairs to her bedroom and set her up in the bed. She’s still dirty and cut up, but she says she wants to sleep for a while before she tries to take a shower.
“I’m gonna have a couple of the old ladies come over to keep you company,” I say, sitting down on the bed beside her. “Reno’ll be here until they get here, just in case you need anything. I have some club business to take care of. I probably won’t be back tonight. But I’ll come back and see you tomorrow. Okay?”
Tori looks up and me and gives me a small, brave smile. “Okay.”
“Good.”
On impulse, I reach over and cup the back of her head, bringing her face to mine. I kiss her, softly. The kiss of a lover. A kiss I’ve never given anyone before.
“Take care, Lois Lane,” I whisper.
Back downstairs,I check in with Reno before I leave.
“Call me if she ends up needing anything,” I tell him. “I’m gonna have Bailey and Laney come over later. I figure she might like some female company.”
“Will do.”
“Well, I better get back to the clubhouse. Axel’s holding church in a bit. Looks like we’re gonna have some decisions to make.”
Reno nods, looking somber. “I’m almost glad not to be there. I’m sorry about your brother, Dante.”
Up until now, I’ve managed to keep my emotions mostly at bay. But at Reno’s words, a tidal wave of grief, loss, and anger rises up in me so strong, it feels like I’m going to drown in it.
My brother’s gone. My fucked up, irritating, dumbshit of a baby brother.
Jesus Christ. I don’t know how I’ll ever fill the hole that he leaves in my life.
“Thanks,” I manage to say.
Reno claps me on the back once, then looks down and shakes his head. “And look. You know how I feel. If it comes down to a vote in church,” he mutters. “Bama needs to pay for what he did.”
“That’s for Axel to decide, I guess.”
“He’ll do what’s right.”
“Well, I better get over there.”
Reno nods, then claps me on the back again and pulls me into a rough hug.
“You take it easy, brother,” he says. “I got everything under control over here.”
* * *