Chapter 9 That is a very long story
Viper
Four days had passed. Four entire, fucking days without a single glimpse of her brilliant green eyes. Come on, Angel. Open your eyes for me. The doctors had inserted a feeding tube. They took her for more scans this morning, and the crushing weight on my chest finally lessened when they confirmed there was no damage to her brain. Her body is a battlefield, but it just needs time to win the war.
Jenna took her father home after visiting hours ended on the first night, but I would not budge. Her papa, after a long, measuring look, arranged for a second bed to be placed directly beside hers. That is where I have slept, my hand wrapped around hers. I did not leave the second night, either.
Butcher stopped by on the third day to check on us. He tried to convince me to return to the clubhouse, to shower and sleep in a real bed, but I refused. I could not risk being away the moment she came back to us. Today, it was Torque who appeared, carrying a duffel bag.
"The Prez said you look like hell."
"I appreciate it."
"She has not opened her eyes once since you got here?"
"Not once."
"Where is Jenna?"
"She took her father to an appointment. It seems the man does not drive himself, and since she was here at the crack of dawn, he insisted she take him."
"What is her old man like?"
I looked at him and gave a slow smile. "He looks like central casting sent him over for a mafia film. Pure Italian, down to the impeccable suit he always wears. The accent is thick enough to spread on toast. He radiates this energy that says if you mess with him, he will personally remove your spine. I fucking like him."
Torque gave a low grunt of acknowledgment.
"So what is the situation with you and Jenna?"
"Nothing complicated. She is incredible in bed, and she knows exactly what to do with a man."
"She is not your usual type, though. You normally go for those tall, model-thin blondes with the obvious implants and a face full of makeup. Jenna has the height, but she has more curves than you usually go for. Gorgeous curves. And that face does not need any paint."
"I do not know, man. Every time she walks into a room, I cannot look away. That night you got with Reina Salvaje was the first night I was with Jenna."
"Reina Salvaje?"
Torque grinned. "Little Crazy. The whole club was impressed with how she handled Sophie. She had that blade up so fast. The way she talked to her was fucking priceless. Nobody has ever put Sophie in her place like that. The woman is always pushing boundaries. Then when she threw that knife and it landed dead center between those limes, I went over to check on Jenna. She just laughed and told me her sister has serious skills. The brothers heard her, and a couple of them started calling her Reina Salvaje."
I laughed, wondering if the name would appeal to her.
The door opened and Catalina’s father entered, with Jenna following close behind. Her eyes went wide the second they landed on Torque.
"Who are you?" her father demanded.
"Torque."
He turned to Jenna, his expression stern. "Why do all of your friends have such strange names? Do you know anyone with a normal name?"
"Oh, really? Aietitore." (Reaper)
"Silenzio." (Quiet)
"What the fuck was that?" Torque asked.
"They are all completely fluent in Italian."
"Is that so," Torque said, his gaze settling on Jenna with a distinct heat.
"Do not look at my daughter that way. Show some respect; she is a lady. I have seen that television show, Sons of Anarchy. You all treat women like puttana."
"Papa!" Jenna cried out.
Torque and I both laughed. That is one word that needs no translation.
"Well, she was my little puttana the other night," Torque said.
"Torque!"
If Jenna’s face got any redder, I would think she had dipped it in paint.
I stifled a laugh. Her father was absolutely furious.
"E questo il tipo di uomo con cui vai a letto?" (This is the type of man you sleep with?)
"Si papà, non credere che non abbia visto le troie uscite dal tuo condominio. Sei altrettanto cattivo." (Yes Papa, do not think I have not seen the sluts who leave your condo. You are just as bad.)
Her father let out a dismissive sound and settled back into the chair he had claimed for the past four days.
Torque moved to Jenna’s side, capturing her mouth in a brief, possessive kiss. “I have no idea what you just said to your dad, but that was seriously hot. I will see you later, gorgeous.” He gave me a acknowledging nod before he left the room.
I grabbed my duffel and told Jenna and her father I was going to use the shower. Jenna gave a tired nod, but the older man acted as if I had not spoken. I was starting to fucking like him.
I washed up in record time, pulling on clean black jeans and a grey t-shirt. I left my cut off for the moment, gathering my things from the bathroom. I arranged everything on the small table beside the bed I had been using, which I had pushed closer to Catalina’s, a single chair wedged between them. I sat down and took her hand, stroking my thumb across her knuckles. I am not a man who makes a habit of prayer, but in that moment, I closed my eyes and pleaded with any god who would listen to please, please let my girl wake up.
About an hour later, a low moan escaped her lips. Jenna, her father, and I were on our feet in an instant, crowding gently around her bed. She made the sound again, and then her eyelids began to tremble before opening. Those brilliant green eyes found mine first, and a massive, helpless smile broke across my face. Her gaze then drifted to her sister and her father.
“What…?” Her voice was a dry crackle. She tried again. “What is going on?” Her words were raspy, strained from disuse.
I turned to the bedside table and poured water into a small plastic cup, guiding the straw to her lips. She drank, her eyes conveying a silent thank you. I set the cup down once she was finished.
“Hey, baby. Jenna found you in your apartment four days ago. You were hurt.”
Her eyes went wide at the mention of four days. Then, panic flooded her expression. “Where is Jake?”
I would be lying if I said that did not sting. But he was her boyfriend; of course she would ask. Even though the bastard had not bothered to contact her once. Her phone had been charging next to the bed this whole time, completely silent.
“We do not know,” Jenna answered.
A profound wave of relief washed over Catalina’s face. The swelling had receded enough yesterday, the bruising fading to a sickly yellow, so the emotion was unmistakable.
“Did that asshole do this to you, Chaotic?” Jenna asked.
Chaotic?
I saw Catalina’s eyes dart toward her father. His expression transformed into something hard and impassive, and he gave a single, grave nod. Jenna, entirely focused on her sister, missed the exchange. Her father bent down, pressing a kiss to Catalina’s forehead.
“Ti amo,” he murmured. He stood and walked toward the door.
“Papa, where are you going?” Jenna asked.
“Hunting.”
“Quella madre, figlio di puttana del cazzo,” Jenna spat, her body trembling with rage.
“What is happening?” I asked, looking between them.
“Jake did this to her. It is no wonder he has not tried to find her.”
I turned back to Catalina. “Is that true? Is that why you looked so relieved when Jenna said he was gone?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice still rough.
I leaned over her, my lips meeting hers in a soft, promising kiss. “I will be back, babe.”
“And just where are you going?” Jenna asked as I walked to where my cut was draped and pulled it on.
“I am going to find that son of a bitch and end him.”
“Did you not hear our father? It is already being handled.”
“What does that mean?”
“Our father is hunting him. When he finds Jake, there will be nothing left.”
What the fuck?
“Is that what he meant by ‘hunting’?”
Jenna nodded. Catalina was watching me, her gaze intense.
“You two are talking like your father is some kind of assassin, not a retired Italian gentleman. What the hell is he actually going to do?”
“Believe me, our father is more than equipped to handle this. Just stay with Catalina. I will be back,” she said, moving toward the door.
“Gunner!” Catalina snapped, then winced in pain, her hand going to her throat.
“Do not worry, Chaotic. I am getting the doctor to remove that feeding tube. Then I am going to get Viper a burger and you some Pho.”
“I love you,” Catalina sighed.
“Ti amo, mia sorella.”
Once Jenna was gone, I sat back down and took Catalina’s hand. “Hey, Angel. What is with the names? Gunner? Chaotic?”
“That is a very long story,” she said, her voice gaining a little strength. “One I am not allowed to tell. Maybe one day I will share all my secrets, but for now, you can think of them like our road names.”
I looked at her, utterly captivated. I got it; we were strangers, really. I was completely determined to change that.
The doctor entered the room, so I stepped out into the hallway. I pulled out my phone and called Butcher.
“Viper, how is she?”
“She woke up half an hour ago. She confirmed the boyfriend did it. I want to find him. I want to make him feel every single fucking thing he did to her before I rip his heart out.”
“Consider it done. We will find him. You focus on your girl. I will let you know the second we have him. What do you have on him?”
“His name is Jake. Jenna said he works for Schuster Investments.”
“Alright, Brother. We are on it.”
“Thank you, Brother.”