Free Mica (Rebel Wayfarers MC) by MariaLisa deMora Page B

making Mica wince from the noise. “Mason and Mr. Rupert saved you! Not that you needed saving, it sounds like. They said you were fierce and holding your own, but they tore into those men anyway, and gave them new assholes I guess. The cops wanted to hang around and talk to you, but Mr. Rupert said they could get a statement ‘at a later date, when it is more convenient for Ms. Scott’, and turned them right out of the room.”
    “The bad guys are all in jail, or in the hospital handcuffed to their beds. They aren’t from the neighborhood, but they had a van and might have been planning to put you in it. That’s why they were there; at least, that’s what I heard…or uh…maybe it was your purse they were after. It is pretty stylish, after all. Anyway, um…Mason has been great; he hasn’t gone home…except to box up Michael’s stuff and kick his ass out…and to pay the locksmith. Tug and Dig have called a dozen times to check on you. Mr. Rupert has been back like six times. You’ve been out for nearly a full day, sweet pea. Um—I have your new keys, and uh, Donnelly’s happy…and…I think that’s everything, so I’m shutting up now…” Jess trailed off into silence.
    Mica thought fondly that she never seemed embarrassed by her run-on mouth, and loved Jess more for that unselfconsciousness. “Mason, you didn’t have to do that—with Michael, I mean. Thank you, though, you are a good man and a better friend than I deserve. So are you, my dear distracting Jessica,” Mica said the last part softly, looking at Jess. She wanted to make sure Jess knew there was no anger over her telling Mason about Michael, figuring that’s what all her stuttering was about during her rambled update. She took a painful breath, considering all the information Jess had tossed her way, and decided to focus on the stranger in the room first.
    “Mr.—Rupert, was it?” she asked, and he nodded in confirmation. “Are you the guy from the car? I didn’t know who you were or why you were there, but I remember being glad to see you.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond before she continued, “Mason, I know I heard your bike, but don’t think I ever saw you. I’m sorry. I hope you haven’t been badly hurt—either of you. It looks like you are both bruised up, and on my behalf. I’m so sorry.”
    Shuddering in delayed reaction, Mica’s eyes welled with tears. Mason reached out and put his large, rough hand on her head, gentling her with soft strokes of her hair as she struggled to hold onto control of her emotions.
    Daniel Rupert looked from Mason to Mica, noting the tender care in his touch, and he nodded slowly at her. “Yes, I was in the car. I saw you walking down the street, and then turn down the alley. As soon as you did, there were two guys that followed you in. It didn’t look safe, so I wanted to make sure everything was okay, but by the time I got there, you had practically disabled two of the men and they were on the ground. I was too slow though, because it was clear you were already hurt. I am sorry I was not there quicker to prevent that…more sorry than you know. So, Ms. Scott, if you will stop apologizing, so will I.”
    Daniel carefully moderated his breathing to mask his disappointment, it seemed that Mica was in a relationship with Mason after all. He was surprised that Mason hadn’t mentioned it; they had talked quite a bit over the past day, most of it about Mica. He found himself fascinated by her, and had not been able to keep himself from returning to the hospital again and again since they brought her in. There was no reason; he simply wanted to check on her, and maybe get a chance to watch her sleeping.
    Mason laughed out loud and grinned at Mica. “I saw a bunch of guys jumping a girl, and then realized it was you, babe. Rupert and I nearly killed each other before we realized we were both the good guys. I was taking the shortcut from our street to Main, looking for you. Thought we