I need his tongue, so I say, “I’m going to miss you.”
He slaps my ass again. I love it.
“What was that for?” I snap.
“That one,” he chuckles, “was just for fun.”
Jerk.
Then he puts his mouth on me and I don’t think he’s a jerk anymore.
FOURTEEN
THE next morning, Tracker leaves with Rake, Irish, Arrow, Trace, Ronan, and Sin. Vinnie is staying behind, currently peering over my shoulder as I make breakfast. His usually shaved head actually has a little hair on it for once.
“Be patient,” I tease.
“Uncle Vinnie is hungry,” Clover calls out from where she is drawing on the dining table. “We need to feed him or he gets grumpy.”
“I can see that.” I look at Vinnie, who is grinning at Clover affectionately. “Clover has more patience than you.”
He stares at the waffles longingly, then glances up at me. “They smell so fucking good.”
Clover gasps. “That’s a bad word. I won’t tell Mommy though. I’m not a snitch. I heard Daddy tell Uncle Arrow no one likes a snitch.”
Vinnie and I share a glance, then start laughing. The things this kid remembers!
When the waffles are ready, I let Vinnie and Clover eat first, then make a huge pile of them for anyone else who wants them. When Blade steps into the kitchen, I point to the pile and he grins.
“Can we keep you?”
I laugh. “I’m here every weekday until I start school again.”
“You need a ride anywhere today?” he asks as he eats.
I look to Clover. “Where do you want to go today, Clo?”
She thinks it over. “Can we go to the animal farm?”
I nod. “Sure. Are you going to come with us, Blade? We can have some lunch too.”
He shifts on his seat, suddenly looking uncomfortable. His dark eyes stay on mine as he says, “Sorry, Lana, I can only drop you off and pick you up.” I squint my eyes at him, wondering if that is Tracker’s doing or if there is something else he needed to do. He runs a hand over his short dark hair, waiting for me to say something.
“Oh,” I say. “Okay, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
Clover and I get ready and Blade drives us in a black four-wheel drive. When we get there, he double-checks that my phone is charged and that I have his number before he drives away. We have lunch first, then see all the animals. A few hours later we get picked up and head back to the clubhouse. Faye is waiting for us when we get there, having gotten home early from work.
“Mom! I had so much fun today,” Clover says after she hugs Faye. “I fed a horse!”
“Sounds like you had a ball,” Faye says, kissing her head. Clover runs off, and Faye looks at me. “You’re so good with her, Lana. I know that every time I leave she’s going out to explore and have fun, not just sit here and watch TV all day.”
I shrug a little shyly. “She’s a great kid.”
“That she is,” Faye replies, grinning. “Do you wanna stay and chat for a bit, or do you have to leave?”
I think of all the work I have waiting for me at home. “Love to stay, but I better go.”
She nods. “No problem. See you tomorrow.”
“’Bye, Faye,” I say, smiling, then walking to the front door. I look around for Blade but don’t find him. When I spot Vinnie I ask him if he can give me a ride home instead.
“Of course I can,” he replies. “But I need to go somewhere else after so we’re taking my bike.”
I’ve never been on anyone else’s bike.
“Ummm,” I mutter, not knowing if this is okay.
Vinnie laughs. “It’s just a ride. I’ll deal with Tracker.”
It’s not like Vinnie is an ex, like the situation with Allie. And Tracker is the one who made me promise I wouldn’t go anywhere alone. Shrugging, I get on the back of his bike, not pressing my body to his like I usually do with Tracker. When we get to my place, I thank him, then walk to my front door while searching for my house keys in my small handbag. When I find them, I unlock the door, waving to Vinnie. Once I’m safely inside, I hear the rumble of his bike as he rides off. Closing the front door, I turn the lock. I’m about to spin around when something hits me on the back of my head, pushing me against the door.
My vision flashes.
I hear a voice. Female.
And another. Male.
Another hit.
Laughter.
And another.
I slide down the door, falling to the floor.
I fight to stay conscious.
I don’t want to leave Tracker. I just got him.
“Tracker,” I mouth, but no sound comes out.
All I feel is pain, all I see is darkness.
* * *
I wake up, my whole body hurting.
Every inch of me is in pain. My ribs are throbbing. My legs feel numb. My jaw is swollen.
My right eye is swelled shut, but my left manages to open.
“Lana?” I hear my mom call my name. “Thank god.”
I feel her hand in mine. I squeeze back.
Then I fall asleep again.
* * *
“Lana?” I hear his voice. “Fuck. Lana, can you hear me?”
I open my left eye and look at him. He looks like hell. His eyes are red and his face pale. “Tracker?”
My voice is weak.
Broken.
“What happened?” I ask him.