Zero

She was talking about work? All he could think about was taking care of her needs. “They want you to get well before you even think about returning to work.”

“Good. I’ve never taken a sick day yet. They should keep my job for me. I’d hate to start looking now. The whole economic climate doesn’t fill me with too much confidence on the job search.”

“Have you ever thought about moving closer to me?” he asked.

“How would I do that when you said it wasn’t safe for us to be close?” She turned to look at him. Her green eyes were so beautiful and wide.

“Alan’s taken that out of our hands.”

“Yeah, he has.”

There was a game show on. He watched for several minutes, reaching out to take her hand.

“I’ve missed you, Prue.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” She rubbed at her temple, and he watched the movement. “Zero,” she said, glancing at him.

“What, baby?”

“Will you hold me?” She tapped the bed beside her.

Smiling, he climbed on the bed, moving his arm underneath her head and drawing her close. “I’ll always hold you close to me.” They settled down together. He felt her heat, and his c**k responded to her closeness.

Down, boy.

Her needs struck him once more. Would her pu**y hair be the same as the hair on her head? Shit. Cravings yearned deep inside him. He wasn’t some immature teenager who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.

“He’s going to hurt us,” she said.

“I know.”

Zero knew there was not going to be a way to stop Alan once he started. None of them knew where he was. Whizz was working on locating him.

Closing his eyes, he tried to stop the fear from working inside him. He hated feeling fear.

“Your friends are nice. I would hate for them to be hurt.”

He looked down at her. Her face was turned up to his. When did her lips get so plump and inviting?

Shit, this was the last thing he needed, for his mind to be on her body rather than the danger they were all about to face.

“We can’t leave. Otherwise I would do it.”

“Why can’t we leave? When I’m out of the hospital we can just go.” Her hand lay on his chest. Did she know what her body was doing to him?

“Alan will not stop, Prue. He’s going to take out our friends, and he’d do whatever he could to lure us back to him.”

“I hate him, Zero.”

He didn’t say anything. His feelings toward the bastard had never changed. Alan needed to die, but until they found him, they would have to play his games.

“Why did you do that to his face?” she asked. “I know you said you tortured him, but why do that? Why not just kill him?”

“I intended to kill him, Prue. It was never my intention to let him walk free. I should have made sure he was dead.” His one biggest regret was walking away without guaranteeing he was dead.

She settled next to him. “We’ve just got to wait?”

“Yes, we’ve got to wait.”

Zero felt her relax, and he watched the television. After an hour she finally settled into sleep. Assured she was asleep he looked at her face. Her skin was pale, and her complexion didn’t have a single blemish. Reaching out he cupped her cheek, stroking a thumb along her soft skin.

“I’m always going to take care of you, Prue.” He kissed her cheek, feeling his c**k pulse, demanding attention. Watching the television, he was at peace. Having Prue back in his arms settled something inside him.

He wasn’t yearning for Sophia or begging for a fight. The beast he kept at bay was resting. The only time he ever felt so calm was in Prue’s arms. Ever since he realized his parents despised him, Zero had always felt some need to take out his aggression whenever he could. Learning how to shoot helped him build his confidence. The fights he got into were always worth the bruises. The pain helped him to feel free all those years ago. That feeling hadn’t changed even now. The club fought him when he needed it.

When Prue told him about the bullies all those years ago, he’d loved the hours he spent training her. She never acted like all of the other girls or women in his life. Prue treated him like a friend. She didn’t blush or stutter in his presence, and she was never afraid to land him on his ass. When had he cut her out of his life? Over the years he’d tried to forget about her, only he found himself at her doorstep when he promised himself he wouldn’t. Nothing had changed inside him. Prue was all grown up now, and they were both having to face their old enemy together.

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he held her tighter knowing his life would be worse for losing her. She made living possible.

****

What the f**k am I doing here?

Butch sat in his seat at the back of the church. The candles were alight, and no one was around to see him. He looked at the man on the cross without feeling. There was no feeling inside him. Staring at the Bible, he wondered if he missed Cheryl. He asked Lash about her, but there was nothing his brother could say. Lash didn’t remember anything about the other woman besides the fact she did beautiful flower arranging that Angel enjoyed looking at. It was like talking to a f**king brick wall.

“You’re back,” Cheryl said, holding a jacket in front of her. He noticed she had a bag on her shoulder.

Putting the Bible back in place, he stood. Her smile didn’t waver, and neither did her gaze. She knew who he was, yet her gaze didn’t leave his eyes. All of the women he’d been with checked out his cut before settling on him.

“Yeah, I’m back. I don’t know why.”

She smiled. “It doesn’t matter why. Maybe you need some help in your life. Church is always open. I hope you find your answers soon.” Cheryl took a step toward him. “Good night.”

His heart raced as she stepped around him. She didn’t try to rub against him.

“Where are you going?” he asked, not wanting her to leave. The only reason he’d come to church was to see her.

“I’m going home. It’s late, and I only help out at the church when I can.”

“Can I walk you to your car?”

“I don’t own a car.” She hadn’t looked anywhere but at his eyes. This was an entirely new experience for him. Most of the women were after the title of f**king a Skull. Cheryl didn’t look upset or expectant when she stared at him.

“How do you get home?”

“I walk.” Cheryl chuckled and looked down at her feet. “Not all of us need a car or a bike to get us around.”