Page 42 of Dane

My eyebrows rose in outrage. “Next time maybe don’t step in front of the gun. Then you won’t have this problem.”

“Can’t promise that. I won’t even pretend I will.”

“Dane?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too.”

“I know.”

If I’d had any sense, I’d be annoyed at his arrogance. Instead, I found myself smiling at the same time I said, “Asshole.”

Chapter Seventeen

Dane

“If you don’t hold still, Dane, I’m going to give you a reason to squirm.” The usually mild-mannered Pain was now a first-rate grouch. Not to mention it felt like he was scrubbing my raw flesh with sandpaper.

“If you touch that fuckin’ place again with that fuckin’ steel wool brush, I’m about to gouge out your fuckin’ eyes.”

“My, my,” Pain observed, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Stop being such a pussy. It’s just gauze.”

“I got fuckin’ shot! And you’re trying to flay the skin from my fuckin’ bones!”

Pain had me shirtless on a gurney. I’d noticed the clinic furniture increasing over the last few weeks. The strange thing was, everything seemed geared toward… children? I mean, the club had picked up several old ladies who had children, and there was always one or two kids staying at Haven, but five new exam tables seemed a bit excessive.

Antibiotic ointment preceded a bandage, and Pain wasn’t gentle about it. “I’ve seen you when other people have injuries, so I know you’re not this fuckin’ rough. What did I ever do to you?”

“You’re a guy. Suck it up,” Pain muttered. “Besides, I can’t get revenge on the people who caused all this mess, so I’m taking it out on their men.”

“What did Brielle do?”

“She’s a woman. And she might not have done anything wrong yet, but mark my words, she will follow in the footsteps of the others.” Pain actually shook a finger in Brielle’s direction like he was telling her off.

“There.” He stepped back, arms crossed, looking me over like I’d disappointed him personally. “You’re fine. Go home. Sleep on your other side.” He paused. Considered. “And try not to get shot again. Gunshots make me cranky.”

The door opened as I flipped him off. Ethan held the door open and followed Lana inside.

“You’re not dead,” Ethan observed. “Lana had money on dead.”

“I had money on a dramatic exit,” Lana corrected. “Orchestrated by his woman, after she kicked Sutton in the taint.” That got a startled laugh from Brielle.

Ethan leaned against the counter. “Two uniforms watched Sutton produce the weapon. At a permitted public event, with thirty or forty witnesses nearby. Sutton’s behind bars, any investigation regarding Brielle is gone, and your parole officer put in several very good words on your behalf.” Ethan shook his head, grinning. “I’m not really sure what background that woman has, but I’m willing to bet it was either military or foster mom. Likely both.”

“Yeah,” I said with a grin. “I had her pegged the same way.”

“The point is, there’s nothing to do. You and Brielle are both free of Sutton. Lana and I will handle everything from here.”

I sat up, slowly, feeling the pull of tape against skin. The gurney creaked. Everything in this place creaked. “Sutton? He gonna get bail?”

“Not sure. But the judge who gets this won’t be friendly. Attempted murder, firearm at a public event that was probably attended by most of the judges in town, and we’ve got Sandlin’s testimony about the earlier conspiracy.” Ethan shrugged. “He’s done.”

Lana leaned one hip against the door frame. “Dane, there’s a path to getting your conviction overturned. It’s still slim, but I believe it’s doable.”

I shook my head. “No.”

Ethan’s eyebrows rose. “You didn’t let her finish explaining --”