I hit the next exit and take the back farm road to the connecting road that leads to the club. It’s dusty and bumpy, so we only ride on it for secret runs or we all know to use it for an emergency as well. In this situation, I need to get to the club quick, so I have to use it.
Avery squeaks occasionally whenever we hit a bump, but she’s been a trooper so far. She’s surprised the hell out of me to be honest. I’m going to have to check my girl out tomorrow—poor bike. She ain’t good for this kind of shit. Avery’s probably going to be sore as fuck from holding on and all the bumps as well.
Fuck, Prez is going to flip the fuck out when he hears about this shit too. Cain will go ballistic if he thinks London and Jamison will be in any danger too. That guy’s like a damn grizzly bear when it comes to his family.
Shit, I can feel Avery shaking like crazy behind me. I bet she’s scared out of her mind.
“It’s okay, Shorty, we’ll be there in a few minutes and you can lie down and relax.” I reach back to rest my hand on her thigh. “You good?”
“Umm,” she groans and shakes even worse.
“Avery? What’s going on? Talk to me.” I squeeze her leg a few times but she remains quiet. “Yo, babe, the fuck?”
She begins to sob into the back of my cut and buries her head into the leather. I stop questioning her, concentrating on the ride and getting to the club as soon as possible. I can’t believe this shit happened while she was with me. It angers me that the asshole was shooting at me, but to do it and threaten Avery? It makes me fucking boil inside.
We arrive at the club about five minutes later. My baby’s shaken up and probably won’t walk well after such a rough ride. “Hey, Shorty, let me get off first, you’ll probably be a little wobbly.”
She keeps quiet and I scrunch my forehead. I know it was scary for her, but if she can’t handle that little bit, she won’t be able to handle this life.
I get off the bike, taking in the parking lot. Looks like everyone made it home and we have a full house. Cain’s Challenger is here so that means London and the baby are here too.
I turn to help Avery climb down. She’s ghostly pale and her lip’s trembling. “Free bird. It’s not so bad, come here.” I’ll hold her until she calms, my poor woman.
“I’ve-I-I’ve been s-shot,” she whispers as tears trail down her already tear-stained face.
Scanning over her body, I desperately scan every inch of her. She glances down to her leg and I notice blood oozing out of the side of her thigh.
Fuck! I look at my hand that was just holding her leg and sure enough, it’s covered in blood. How in the fuck did I not notice this? It had to be the adrenaline, to make me so oblivious to the wetness coating my palm.
Pulling her to my chest, I her into my arms and carry her as quickly as possible towards the clubhouse.
“It’s okay, Avery. Everything will be fine, I’ll look you over as soon as we get inside and I’ll fix it. I’ll fix this; I promise I can make it better. I promise, okay?” I ramble, scatterbrained at her being injured.
This should’ve happened to me- me. Not her.
The main door flies open and Niko exits onto the platform in front of the door. His eyes grow wide when he sees us and he scurries down the four stairs with his hands out to grab Avery.
“Give me her,” he demands.
“No fuckin’ way, Niko, get out of my way, now.” I bark and attempt to weave my way around him.
“You fuck! Give her to me now,” he shouts, panic echoing through his heavy Russian accent.
“Back the fuck up, Niko. I ain’t muthafuckin’ playing right now. Get out of my way.” I slam into his shoulder, attempting to head for the door again.
“No, you give her. I transport upstairs and you retrieve supplies.”
Well, now that makes sense to me. I nod, begrudgingly and tenderly place her into his arms. She wraps her hands around his neck and gives him a sad smile.
It pulls at my heartstrings to see her so welcoming and comfortable with him. I know he’s good to her and they have fun, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. I can’t believe this just happened to her.
That pop didn’t sound like a damn car tire blowing; I should’ve pulled over and checked on her when we got on the farm road. She was shaking so badly, I should’ve realized it was more than her being scared.
She appears so weak and disheveled. I can’t stand that look on my fierce woman; she’s normally stubborn and full of life. I have to fix her leg so she feels better, then I have to shower her in attention.
I jog in front of Niko and up the stairs, yanking the door open. I pull it as far as it will go, giving them room to get through the door easily.
As soon as the door opens, music pours out. “Hurry up, fucker, so I can get her cleaned up.” I gesture dramatically toward the doorway.
“Don’t you hurry me, you imbecile. This is your fault. She with me, she does not return shot and wounded,” he grits heatedly. I glower at him as he passes me on his way into the club.
“Set her on the couch and yell for the Prez. I’m going to get the supplies to check her leg out.” I run to the bathroom to get the medical bag.
I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. Christ, all a sudden I’ve turned into the fucking club doctor or something. I guess it’s just in my nature to want to take care of people, after taking care of Sadie for so long.
“Brother.” Ares nods and grumbles while he takes a piss.
I glance up at him, unaware he was even in here with me. I’m focused strictly on Avery and no one else. I nod back and rush to the closet, ripping all the supplies I may need off the shelf.
Towels, I need towels.
Toilet paper rolls and paper towels go flying everywhere onto the floor as I shove stuff out of my way. Ares watches me as if I’ve gone mad. I have gone mad though.
Once I get my girl cleaned up and taken care of, that ghostly-looking motherfucker is mine. Make my girl bleed? It’s fucking on. I’ll ride out with Nightmare and Exterminator if I have to. I know Nikoli will take care of Avery while I handle business.
This is two hits against the club; brothers won’t stand for it. Avery and Brently aren’t members, but Brently is family and Avery is with me now. She may not know it yet, but it will happen.
I need to let Prez know I’m laying claim. If anything, so I get retribution for this today. She never deserved this shit happening to her.
Ares watches my frantic pace and finally notices the blood on my shirt when I turn toward him. “Shit, man, who’s hurt? What happened?” He stares at me, full of surprise and concern.
“I was followed at the store by a Twisted Snake and Avery was shot on the way home. I’ll explain it all to you guys later. I need to get to her.”
He nods, quickly moving out of my way and I head toward the bathroom counter, laying the supplies on the large surface. “Yeah, brother, of course, go to her.”
I wash my hands well in the bathroom sink then snatch up my supplies and make my way back to Avery. It’s not sterile, but it’s better than nothing. I know that nasty fucking couch will be the most unsanitary out of everything. There’s no telling who’s fucked and what not on it.
Ares follows and when I see her, she’s lying unmoving and pale. She looks weak and broken. Nikoli, Prez, Cain, Twist, and Nightmare all surround the couch watching her, waiting for me. I’m sure they’re wondering what the fuck a chick is doing on our couch, bleeding, with a pissed off Russian standing guard next to her.
I kneel and place all my items on the table and turn to Avery to cut a hole in her pants and get to her wound.
“2? Explain, brother,” Prez booms. He’s standing, gazing at me sternly, waiting for me to say the word. Fuck, he’s pissed. I’m sure he has a good idea of what went down and wants confirmation so he can handle it like he’s been waiting to.
“I will, Prez. Let me cut this first.”
Keeping my focus on the shredded material from the bullet, I pull out my kn
ife and slice a hole in her pants. Ripping the rest of the material from under her leg, I tug the bottom portion of her pants leg down.
I start dumping rubbing alcohol on her thigh, patting it lightly, so I can see what’s going on and just how serious this is. If it’s bad, I’ll call the real doctor straight away. I’m done fucking around; I’ll make sure that this time she’s properly taken care of.
“They were followed, Prez. by a fucking Snake. Guess he shot Avery,” Ares grumbles to the guys next to me.
Prez turns bright red and looks like his head may pop off. “What?” he explodes pissed off. “Are you fucking kidding me right now with this?” he shouts, his gaze flying to me.
I nod with a somber look.
“Nah, Prez. I’m not fucking around,” I recant the events from the store up until we pulled into the parking lot and I discovered Avery had been shot.
“She need the doc?” he gestures toward Avery.
“No, it’s not too bad. The shot hit toward the outside of her leg, straight through. I’m going to clean it out good then sew it up.” I glance back at Avery and see her watching me silently.
She’s not even crying anymore, she just looks exhausted. “I’m so sorry, Shorty.”
“I know.” She turns her face away, toward the black leather cushion and closes her eyes. I fucked up bad this time. I never should’ve had her in that situation in the first place.
“Will someone get her some Jack?” I look around at the brothers.
Ares straightens up, “Yeah, brother. No problem.” He walks behind the bar and grabs her a fresh bottle of Jack Daniels.
Good. After she takes a sip, I need to drink about half of that shit myself. He hands me the bottle and I nod in appreciation.
“This fucking shit has to stop and now. I want each one of those Snakes. I want them to fucking hurt. They come rolling up, fucking with people in my club? Not happening. I want this handled ASAP, no more pussy-footing around, Ares.” Prez orders and cracks his knuckles.
Twist looks crazed, his face radiating anger. He nods profusely at Prez. “I want to go, Prez,” he snickers. “I have something good for them.” He grins, evil filling his gaze.
Prez affirms, nodding, “Yes, I’ll send a few of our roughest to clean house, fucking chop the heads off all those fucking slimy bastards. Enough, this gets discussed in church.”
I turn back to Avery. She drinks straight from the bottle, swallowing a big gulp. Normally, I’d give her major props for that shit, but right now is not the time to tease her and give her grief.
I pat her wound again and glance up at her. “You ready, free bird? I stalled to give you a little time for that Jack to play its part. I know it’s going to hurt, but I’ll move as fast as I can baby, I promise. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Yes, just get it over with please. I can’t stand to see my own blood; that’s why I almost passed out earlier. It freaks me out. Other people’s blood I’m okay with, but not mine.”
Yeah, the Jack has kicked in, because my girl is talking a little more normal now.
“Come on, biker. You either fix it or I take her to doctor.” Niko glowers at me and I curl my lip.
“I’m fixing it, RUSSIAN, just trying to make sure it doesn’t hurt her as much. Let the alcohol work its magic,” I reply shortly and turn back to her leg.
“Yeah, man, back the fuck off my brother. He was just shot at too and doesn’t need your fuckin’ bullshit,” Twist gripes to Niko.
“Hey, easy now. Twist, back the fuck up yourself and go tell the brothers that church is in an hour,” Prez cuts in, before it can turn really ugly and we end up with a dead Niko.
Nightmare stands solemn and silent the entire time, watching and waiting before he ever speaks or makes a move. Twist turns, looking peeved and heads for the other brothers. I wonder where London is. I can’t believe she hasn’t come in here to chew my head off already for getting Avery hurt.
“Hey, man, saw Loretta parked out front, where’s your ol’ lady and kid?” I glance to Cain briefly then back at my work.
He chuckles. “Why, you scared that she’s going to scalp your ass for Avery getting injured?”
“She should—or I could—I have knife,” Niko suggests and smiles at Cain.
“Nah, man, don’t fuck with 2; he’d never do anything to get Avery hurt purposefully.”
Niko rolls his eyes and huffs off to the bar, probably for his beloved vodka.
“London and my boy are at home. Ares needed to use my truck, so I brought Loretta along. She needed a good wash,” he replies fondly.
He and Ares must’ve had fun with some poor idiot. He’s going to make a good Enforcer with Ares someday. Brother keeps it up like he is and he’ll be voted Enforcer before he knows it. Ares would be happy to have permanent help too.
I nod while Nightmare just stands next to Prez watching me. It’s kind of creepy, but he does have a pretty fucked up name and a scar running over one of his eyes.
Avery has hers closed tightly. Poor Shorty, I’m such a failure at keeping her from getting hurt one way or another.
“All right, baby, all done. I’m going to need to carry you to the bed, so you can rest and relax though. It’s all covered up with gauze and tape, so you can look. It shouldn’t make you sick.”
I stand and stretch my muscles. “Prez, Nightmare, I’m going to go and get her settled in, I’ll be back in a while to discuss this with y’all.” Nightmare stares at me and doesn’t say anything, go figure,
Prez nods and glances sympathetically at Avery. “Church in an hour,” he grunts.
“I’ll be there,” I confirm and scoop Avery into my arms carefully.
“Ouch!” she groans into my neck.
“Sorry, Shorty, just have to get a good grip on you. I got you, okay?”
She nods against my throat and grips me tighter. Ares follows us and opens my room door so I don’t jostle her any more.
“Thanks, brother.”
“No problem. Angel, if you need anything, just holler, baby,” he mumbles to her, it sounding a bit gruff. He’s a broody bastard like Nightmare.
“Okay, thank you, Ares.” She sends him a pained smile and he shuts door as he leaves.
I lay her down gradually, attempting to make the transition somewhat gentle from my arms to the bed. Next, I take her socks and shoes off, rubbing her ankles and arches as I go. Anything I can do for her, I will.
“Are you comfy, free bird? You need me to move the pillows around or get you something else to drink?” I mutter and slowly lie down beside her on the bed, attempting to be careful and not shake her or cause any unwanted movements that’ll bring her more discomfort.
“No, thanks, I’m not an invalid you know. Blood just makes me squeamish. I’m not nauseous anymore, though. However, the bullet did hurt pretty badly when it hit. I thought something had burned me, until I realized what had happened. When I saw all the blood, I had to keep quiet or I would’ve either puked or conked out. I figured silence was better than hitting the dirt,” she explains and rubs her petite palm over my scruffy cheek.
I relish the feeling; it’s comforting and relaxes me enough to make me sleepy. I turn in to her touch and squeeze my eyes closed for a few beats.
“Fuck, I’m sorry, baby. This never should’ve happened. You shouldn’t be mixed up with me and this club shit. I don’t want you to get hurt or worse, dead.”
“Look, 2, I’m a big girl, okay? I can handle when times aren’t easy. It was the blood; otherwise, I’m perfectly fine.”
I stare at her incredulously. “You mean to tell me, you’re not flipping out in that head of yours? Not even a smidge about getting shot, someone chasing us on my bike, and then me sewing you up?”
“No, I’m not. It was crazy and I got one hell of an adrenaline rush, but I’m okay now. I panicked at first but then I got over it. I was honestly so busy worrying that something would happen and you’d be hurt. I stopped having time to panic with all of the stuff going
on.”
“I’m finding that a little hard to believe. I’ve been at this shit a whole minute. Stuff just happened, and you’re already cool. Nah, Shorty that sort still gets my heart pumping.” I shake my head in disbelief.
No way can she be so calm about it. I wonder how she’d react seeing me take my Glocks out and shooting some fucker dead right in front of her. Would she still blame it on the blood, or give in and admit that club life can be fucked up?
I know it inside, hell, we all know that our way of life is fucked up in many ways. There are many of us who’re screwed up though and this life calls to us. We have an innate need for freedom, a wildness that runs rampant in our veins.
She shrugs. “Look, you can believe and feel however you want. I knew about Tate before anyone else and it didn’t bother me one bit. I just asked that the Mafia please not come after me since I knew about them. Niko handles some crazy stuff, but who am I to judge what he does without me? You’re the same way; I’m aware you don’t play cards with the boys and keep everything G-rated. You do what is expected from you and what you enjoy. As long as I am treated well, then I couldn’t care less what you get into in your free time. Like you said before, that’s club business, which means it’s not my business.”
I’m a little impressed and surprised with her response and reasoning. Could I really have a girl who can understand my way of life, maybe even enjoy it? I’m almost too scared to hope, but can’t help myself.
“I’m glad you look at it that way, Shorty. Speaking of, I have to get to church and check in with my brothers.” I kiss her affectionately on the tip of her nose and stand. “You need something before I split?”
“No, thanks, I’m okay. I’m going to hang out here and try to take a nap. I’m worn out after all that madness earlier.”
I nod and make my way to church, giving her some peace.
Niko’s still sitting at the bar looking angry.
“Hey, Nikoli, she’s chilling in my room. She said she’s going to take a nap, but she’d probably want to see you beforehand.”
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 25
