Chapter 54

Ailee

Being out of the hospital has been great. Don’t get me wrong, I was treated excellently by my doctors and all of the staff. I’m sure my grandda and guards had a lot to do with that since I was kept in the VIP wing. But I can’t stand hospitals. I have been in them enough to last several lifetimes. Getting home to my own space was relaxing. Lug has been by my side the entire time. The man has all but moved in completely. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I think he is just waiting for me to ask him to move in before he brings over the rest of his things. And I fully intend to do that tonight during the special date Lug has planned. He has been very secretive about what we are doing. He won’t even give me a hint. All he said was to dress comfortably. I have a feeling he involved Finn and Callen to help him with whatever he is doing because they have been acting odd for the past week. BUt I haven’t said anything. I have always enjoyed Lug’s surprises and I believe this time will be no different. Let them have their secrets for now.

Once I was home the visitors poured in like a dam had broken. And I loved every minute of it. I even got to meet the newest member of the club, baby Ford. Kelley, Brick and Gretchen’s newest. He was the cutest little chunk of a boy. He is definitely going to take after his father in size. And a heartbreaker. He has Brick’s eyes and Gretchen’s hair. And even though he is the youngest I have a feeling as he grows old he is going to be very protective of his big sister. And what a proud big sister she is. The whole time I was holding Ford she would hover over me saying “ Be easy. He small.” It was adorable.

The only thing I didn’t like is for the first two weeks everyone was treating me like I was made of glass and I hated it. They wouldn’t let me do anything. Including work. I just wanted to answer some emails and check on my charities. I could do it while sitting on the couch with my laptop. No stress at all. But they kept saying it was too soon. I finally had to put my foot down and threaten to throw them all out. They know I am much stronger. I won’t stand for being treated like I’m feeble. I get it we had gone through a scary experience but it is time to move on now that I’m better. And that is what today is about. I have my date with Lug and before that I have to go back to work. As the Ice Queen. That is going to be the ultimate test for me. I hate to say it but even with having to get information from an arsehole it does bring a sense of normalcy back to my life.

This one was pretty easy. I had to remind one of our low runners we don’t tolerate abuse. We don’t usually get involved in our people's personal lives. But when it was found out he was abusing his husband and kids I felt I had no choice but to step in. We took the kids and spouse to a safe house and offered support for whatever they needed. The husband just wanted a divorce and custody of the kids. He wanted to start over and make a safe life for him and the kids. I helped with that. I made sure the abuser got twice as much as he dished out. And I walked away with the signed divorce and custody papers in my hand. They were free of their tormentor. And for once I felt good about being the ice queen.

I finished my job and was meeting Lug at the clubhouse. I still had on my gear since I was going to change there. I haven't fully calmed down yet and when I walked in and my eyes something that put me back in full ice queen mode. As a matter of fact it got amped up. I felt like I had ice in my veins. I could feel the temperature in the room drop to a meat locker cold. I could see everyone else felt it too since they were all slowly backing away. Lug was sitting at the bar. Normally no big deal but the skank rubbing on him was. And no I wasn’t mad at him since I could see him back away from her. I didn’t think twice when I approached them. That was when I could hear their conversation. I stood back to listen. I needed all the facts before I stepped in. Just in case the girl was innocent. But I highly doubt she was judging by the look on Lug’s face. It also helped that I trusted my man completely. And that wasn’t something I gave out lightly.

“ I told you to back off. I have an ol’e lady. Everyone knows that. You know I’m off limits.” I heard Lug say. “ I know Merigold didn’t call you in here so why are you here anyway?” he asks. That is a very good question. The skank runs her hand up Lug’s arm and pushes her fake tits into him. “ Come on Lug. I have missed you. You are never around anymore.” she said. Ahh, I see she is one he has used before. Nasty. “ What part of ol’e lady do you not understand?” Lug growls. “ I don’t understand why you went outside the club to that O’Sullivan trash. You need to stay with the club. Not outsiders like the rest of the guys. What has she got that I don’t?” she whines. How pathetic.

Lug pulls back “ You better watch what you say about my girl. Do you have a death wish?” “ Like you would ever hurt me. We were good together. You think I’m scared of that girl. She is nothing. She is all talk. I bet she lied about being part of the mob. Ohh I’m so scared.” she laughs. That's enough for me. She says she isn’t afraid of me. I’m about to show her true fear. I set my bag down and pull out some very special gloves. They have silver pieces that go over the tips of my fingers that give me incredible sharp claws. I don’t use them often but this seems like the perfect occasion.

As I come up behind the skank she doesn’t see me. She is preoccupied with trying to charm Lug. But others do. I don’t know what they see but it has them backing away in fear. And right now I don’t care. Before the skank can figure out what is happening I have a clawed hand wrapped around her throat making sure to dig in. If she moves even a millimeter the claws will dig deeper. My other hand has my nine millimeter flush with her temple. When Lug sees what is happening he just leans back in his stool with a smirk and watches.