Trial By Fire - Bouncing Back, Book 1

Five

Thomas started putting her through muscle-building exercise for her arms and legs once Ambrosia cleared her for them. Focusing her thoughts on her training, she pushed through each hour without complaint.

Shockingly, she wasn’t mouthy with him during their time together. Instead, she obediently gave him her best every step of the way. Thomas took a breath as he watched her, knowing that she would tell him when she had enough. The month was almost over, and she’d regained much more of her flexibility and muscle than he thought possible.

"Caramel," she said as a sudden pain shot up her spine.

He moved fast, knowing that she had used her safe word. It was the one sweet she didn't like, which was why she picked it to begin with. Helping her up off the floor, Thomas guided her over and got her to sit down on the bed. Turning to the sink, he ran the water until it was cold. Grabbing a disposable cup, he filled it before handing it to her.

"I could have gotten it myself, Thomas. I’m not an invalid," Kennedy said in a small voice.

"Don't be silly," he barked with a laugh, "I think I may have misjudged you, Kennedy. You're a lot stronger than you let on, and it came as a shock to me that you wanted me as your coach. You didn't just get shot, either. You had some fractured ribs, multiple lash wounds, shallow cuts, and a slew of bruises."

She sipped the water, "I know. It's the reason why Amber kept me in an induced sleep."

"You survived what would have broken most adults in the same position, Kennedy. After you woke up, you finished every bit of missed homework, helped my kid get his done, and got his grades back up a little,” Thomas grunted.

"I didn't want to get bored," she muttered. “I don’t think Donna Amber would like it if I turned this place into my personal science lab.”

Laughing under his breath, he said, "I know why you wanted me to do this with you. You're a sneaky little brat, I'll give you that."

"The timeframe for you to be doing physio with me coincides with the extracurricular activity hours at school. By picking a well-known coach, I ensured that I got the marks I needed to pass the course without overdoing it. Besides, I wanted to get to know you better now that me and Memphis are dating. I know that you don’t really think much of me right now, but I’m hoping to change that."

Shaking his head, he asked, "How do you know about the after-school programs? I thought that the school didn’t promote that anymore."

"I read the rulebook. I figured it would be a good thing if I could get you in here because you’re a Fitness Instructor for the OPP and you’re a Gym teacher. Besides, I don’t trust many men, and you’re one of the few I do trust not to do me wrong." She replied.

The door opened, and a terrified-looking nurse told Kennedy that there were some men in colours asking for her. She'd been wondering when someone from the chapter would visit. She told the nurse to let them in and turned her body to face the door.

Ryland came in first, followed by Bruiser and Buster. Bruiser and Buster were fraternal twins from New Zealand whose nicknames were a tribute to what they liked to do best: busting up and bruising their opponents. Their real names were Paul and Jason Rollins.

"Hey, Queen. It’s been a while," Ryland said. Though he was one of the Elders of the Club, his long salt-and-pepper hair and equally long beard made him look like a kindly grandfather. Yet, underneath it all, she knew that the man was far from being guiltless. His biker reputation preceded him in many ways.

"S'up, guys? Is everything okay?" Kennedy asked as she straightened the books on the nightstand.

Buster cracked his knuckles suggestively. He grinned, "The Club members are kind of upset that you got hurt the way you did."

"We’re awful proud of you, though, Kennedy,” his brother chuckled. “You put up one hell of a fight from what we heard. You were born to lead us to greatness.”

Ryland cleared his throat. "Can we get a moment alone, boys?"

"It's okay, Thomas," Kennedy whispered as she took in his less-than-pleased facial expression. Nodding, he told her he would be back in five minutes.

As soon as the door closed behind the other three men, Ryland let out a breath. "When the mafia told me years ago that they would train you, I didn't think it would turn out so beautifully, Kennedy. Damn it, I’m a biker for Christ’s sake. I shouldn’t be bawlin’ like a baby, but you sure do run the show like your father, honey."

Her brow furrowed, "The memories of my childhood are sketchy. How did you know my parents?"

Inhaling deeply, he whispered, "See, I'm your father's younger brother. The day they were murdered, I gave your sister some money to hide with you. I know it wasn’t much, but I tried the best I could to keep the traitors away until you grew up. The old Don was a good friend of Frank’s, too. Hans liked how straight-up your Daddy kept everything. We lost sight of you after your sister got married, but you came back with a vengeance Francis would be proud of."

A memory of a picnic when she was younger popped into her mind. Her mother was setting out dishes with Temperance, and their father was playing chess with her. At that time, she was around six or seven. It was just before her father started teaching her how to shoot. She remembered the large, heavily-tattooed man who dropped to the ground beside them with a huge smile on his face.

"Uncle Ry," she whispered. “I remember you now.”

Ryland took a breath. Reaching out to run his hand over the crown of her head, he said, "You've done well to weed out the den, sweetheart. I'm proud of you, but don't be such a martyr, baby. I don't wanna bury my brother's youngest daughter while you’re still so damn young. You got so much more to look forward to in this life, so enough with putting yourself in danger, okay? I don’t want to lose the only family I got left."

"I'll be more careful, Uncle Ryland," she replied. "I need to get some rest now. I just finished my physio, and Ambrosia is discharging me either tonight or tomorrow."

"I hear ya. I've never seen your sister so happy before. Spotted her the other day out shopping with her man. They had some adorable kids with them," he commented. "That Declan guy takes good care of her, right?"

"He took us in after Tem was lured into a sham job a few years ago. He helped her heal, treated me well, got me into a high-end school, and protected us from harm. The kids are Tem’s, and she’s really happy with her life right now. So am I. Um, how would you feel about me dating a Black guy?"

Nodding, Ryland chuckled, "I'm glad to hear that she’s doing good. Your poor mother was kicked out for gettin' pregnant with your sister, but Francis took her in and fell deep. As for you being with a boy of colour, that s**t don’t bother me none. So long as he’s being good to you, I got no reason to make his sorry ass disappear now, do I?”

He hugged her tight to his chest, careful not to hurt her still-healing body. “I just want you to be safe and happy, Sweetheart.”

"I need to get some rest now. I’m really tired from doing my physio earlier." Pulling from him, she wiped the tears from her eyes. She wasn’t. She just didn't want to talk about her parents. Watching Ryland leave, she knew she didn’t have long before Thomas walked back in.

He looked her over carefully once he came back. “Ambrosia said that you can go home tomorrow since all your tests came back clean and clear. You’re under orders to keep taking it easy for a few more weeks. I won't be docking your participation grade, either," Thomas told her.

"Why not?" She asked, confused.

"You didn't give up on Memphis, so I'm not giving up on you. You’re not as bad as I first assumed. Actually, I’ve come to understand that beneath all the crazy is a decent young woman with a head on her shoulders," he replied.

A tear leaked from her eyes, but she brushed it away. "I don't know what to say."

"Just promise me that you won't walk out on him for no reason. His maman walked, and I never got over it. I don’t want him questioning what the f**k he did to deserve it when he would die to protect you. I don’t need him moping around the house blaming himself for everything or drinking himself stupid because you suddenly decided to up and leave," Thomas confided.

"Thomas, can I have a hug? I know I’m a hard-ass sometimes, but I really, really need one right now," she sobbed.

Confused and a little shocked, he wordlessly granted her request.

She sniffled as her muffled voice spoke the words: “I’m not going to lie, he has to do something incredibly stupid to warrant me leaving him, Thomas. I love him. If he pisses me off, he’s getting a detailed description of what we need to work on, not a breakup.”

Shocked by the girl's words, Thomas turned down the lights, and gently closed the door as he left the room.