Zero

“Erm, talking is never really been necessary. I mean, I’ve talked to Angel and Tate, but they’re, erm, they’re taken. Other women, they’re not hard, and conversation is the last thing on our minds.”

Giggling, Prue grabbed her water and sucked on the straw. The blonde nurse hadn’t made an appearance into the room yet, surprising Prue. She’d expected the other woman to be all over The Skulls, even Steven.

“They’re women you’ve got no chance of f**king?” she asked.

“For a woman your language isn’t all that great.” He sat on the chair beside her bed.

“I grew up with my brother and Zero. He’s not changed since joining The Skulls. Zero has always had vulgar language, and I picked it up from him.” She sipped more water, smiling at the other man.

“He’s never spoken of you.”

“I don’t expect him to. We’re friends, but we don’t have an impact on our lives. He came to me when he needs help or if it’s a certain time.” Zero hadn’t visited her the last time she’d taken the time to remember Trevor. For the first couple of years after Trevor’s death, Zero was always there. All of a sudden he stopped turning up, making excuses. Putting her glass down, she stared at him. “What about you? Any woman on the horizon?”

“No, no woman. I like to take what I like. There’s something about variety I love.”

He was blushing, and Prue couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s charming seeing a man who blushes easily. How did you survive being a prospect?” Prue asked. “I’m sure they gave you more than your fair share of embarrassing jobs.”

“I did just fine.”

“I’m sure you did.” She smoothed out the blanket covering her legs.

“You’re not freaking out,” he said.

“About what?” She tucked some hair behind her ear, looking at him. Steven was a handsome man. He was younger than Zero, possibly younger than she was. She was twenty-nine years old and been through her fair share of pain.

“Getting shot. I imagined you’d be freaking out.”

She touched the cover that hid her scar. There were stitches binding her skin together. “I grew up with a brother who was always hurting himself. He actually shot himself in the leg.” She chuckled, remembering the anger their parents had at Trevor hurting himself. Hanging out with two boys intent on adventure, Prue had ended up in all kinds of scrapes and accidents because of the boys’ dares. “I don’t know. I’m happy to be alive, and I’ve got company. It’s nice not to worry. I’d be freaking out if I was alone. I’m pretending to be a big girl.” Prue rarely lost control. Looking after young children who fell down and scraped their knees had trained her not to freak out at the littlest thing.

“You’ve been shot.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen someone shot. I was there when Trevor got shot. He didn’t aim properly and was pissing about with a gun thinking he was some hotshot. Zero had to carry him all the way home, and I applied pressure to his leg. My brother squealed like a girl as if he was dying or something. We were all friends growing up. Trevor, Zero, and me. They didn’t mind me hanging out with them, strange I know.” She’d been a tomboy, rarely wearing dresses and preferring jeans to skirts.

“Your parents are dead?”

“Yeah, I’m the only one left of my family.” She smiled even though she didn’t feel like smiling. “Zero was part of our family, but he’s not a blood relative. We’re just friends.” Prue was pleased. Her thoughts had nothing to do with brotherly love when it came to him.

“I’m sorry. I’m usually better at conversation.”

“Yes, he really is,” a woman said, entering the room. Glancing up, Prue saw a beautiful woman carrying a basket with a child on her hip. “Hey, honey, I’m Eva, Tiny’s wife. I’ve come to say hi and to give you something a lot nicer than the hospital crap they serve up. I should know, there have been too many visits to this place. We should demand a refurbishment if we end up here again. I for one am getting tired of the stained walls. This is my daughter. Her twin brother is with his father.” The basket was placed on the floor as Eva embraced her.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Prue said.

“She won’t let you starve,” Steven said. “She’s an amazing cook. All of us at the club are grateful for her skills. She left us once for a few weeks, and I had the shits for ages.”

Eva clocked Steven around the head. “Don’t talk like that.” Steven laughed, rubbing at the part Eva hit. The basket was brought to the bed as her daughter sat on the bed “You don’t mind Joanne being there, do you?” Eva asked, pointing at her daughter.

“No, I don’t mind. It’s fine.” She smiled down at the girl then returned her gaze to Eva.

“Right, I’ve got enough food to sink a ship,” Eva said, passing her a clear tub with a large sandwich. “Get dug in. Here you go, Steven. I brought you food as well.”

For the next twenty minutes, Prue forgot about everything as she listened to the people around her. She ate the food given to her and smiled as Eva talked about family life and Zero. The club was a family, she soon realized. They were all there for each other, and if they didn’t accept it they had to leave. Prue felt relieved that Zero had found people who took care of him. The thought of him being alone scared her. Losing Trevor had hit the other man hard, and she’d noticed the change within him the moment he collected her. Eating the food, she watched as a woman with long blonde hair entered. A large man covered with ink stood behind her, and his hand was on her shoulder, holding her close. On her hip was a boy. The woman looked like an angel. Her face was so beautiful, innocent almost.

Looking at them, Prue saw how protective the man was over his woman.

“That’s Lash and Angel,” Eva said. “With their young son.”

“Hello,” Angel said. She held up a sack. “I brought some clothes for when it’s time to take you home. I didn’t know what size you were going to need, but I also brought a belt in case they’re too big.”

Lash leaned down whispering to her. Angel blushed and glanced at the floor. “Sorry about that. I hate it when she puts herself down,” Lash said, entering the room. “We thought we’d come and see Zero’s little secret.”