8
Doc
Doc sat back on the seat of his bike. Would this woman ever cease to surprise him? He let out a quiet snort. Knowing Ava, not likely. It was one of the things he’d loved about her, her spontaneity, her zest for life. Now, though? He’d never want to see her lose that joie de vivre, but he’d had enough shocks over the last couple of days. Just as he was starting to adjust, along came another one, slamming into him and tilting his world sideways.
Ava had a kid. A kid. When the hell had that happened? Kids hadn’t even been on the radar when they’d been together. He slumped back. Had they? Had she wanted kids and he’d been so blind to her wants and desires that he’d totally missed it? No. He may have been a young kid back then, but he hadn’t been that dense. He’d cared about her and worked damn hard to make her happy. There’s no way he would have had no clue about something that was so important to her.
Except they weren’t so young anymore. When they’d first gotten together, they’d both just finished their undergrad degree, barely twenty-one. Their days had been spent studying hard and partying harder. Starting a family; that hadn’t even been a consideration. Now, barreling swiftly toward thirty, life had changed. God knew he had. Maybe it had changed for Ava, too.
But where was the girl’s father? Doc’s face twisted into a scowl. What kind of asshole left behind his wife and child? He’d known the moment he’d laid eyes on Ava the day before that he would give his left nut for another chance with her. That didn’t mean it was in the realms of any possibility for him, but for a regular guy? One who didn’t ride around on a motorbike wearing leathers? A regular dude, a nine-to-fiver. He had no excuse. Is that why Ava had suddenly appeared in his town—a fresh start after ending a relationship with a supreme dick?
A thought slammed into him so hard he wobbled on his bike. Maybe it hadn’t been the dude that had left. Ava had been crazy jumpy, both immediately after the Joker ass had attacked her and when he’d been watching her after. Doc had put it down to the attack. After all, anyone was well within their rights to lose their shit after something like that. But Ava still seemed spooked two days later. Was it just recovery from the waiting room incident, or was there something more going on? Was Ava hiding from someone, running from an abusive ex? That would explain why she’d shown up so suddenly, out of the blue. His eyes narrowed, thinking back. Had there been any other marks on her when he’d tore the fucker off her in the ER? Then again, if it had been any longer than a week or two, it was unlikely there’d be any marks to speak of, if he’d even left them were they were visible day to day, anyway. God, that was fucking depressing.
He forced his hands to uncurl and he sat, watching the light come on in Ava’s front room, the brief twitch of the curtain, as though someone had ran by fast. He smiled. Her daughter seemed like a real little whirlwind, from what little he’d seen. Ava’s face had been filled with love at the sight of her daughter, and dare he say it, contented. If she did have horrors in her past, then she’d moved past them. As long as anyone who had hurt her stayed far away, she’d be okay.
He sat up straight, his hands resting on the handlebars. And that was where his job came in. She’d made herself clear as crystal the day before: Ava didn’t want anything to do with him. That didn’t mean he was going to leave her unprotected. He’d be there, every day, making sure she left home safe and got to work, then he’d repeat it all the other way later in the day. In between, when she was safely tucked indoors at work or home, he could do what he needed for the Steel Kings and keep Levi from losing his shit.
Doc’s hands tightened around the bars. The Jokers could still get to her at her home, or work; they’d already more than proven that. But there was no way he could watch her 24/7. As much as he wanted to, sleep and food at the very least were required at some point. The best way to keep her safe from those assholes was to know everything about them. Where they’d gone after their attack on the clubhouse, who exactly had been involved, and what their movements and plans were now. He would find out everything he could, where they lived, where they gathered, how many times a day they scratched their ass. Everything. Then, if one of them did threaten Ava, he’d know and could be there to keep her safe.
Doc glanced back at Ava’s house one last time. The porch light had come on automatically as dusk fell. Good. Her curtains were now drawn, hiding any movement from inside the house from prying eyes. Even better. He’d be back in the morning to escort her to work. In the meantime, he had research to do.
Half an hour later, he was back at the clubhouse. He’d taken the scenic route back, checking out possible routes to the hospital from Ava’s place, looking for weak points where an ambush could be attempted. He’d ridden slowly, pausing at every motorcycle he’d seen along the way, but hadn’t spotted anyone he had to worry about. The Kings weren’t the only guys in town who rode a bike. You had the weekend warriors, the occasional hobbyist citizen, or worse, a RUB or a waxer, though the last two were unlikely to ride at all, let alone at 6 p.m. on a weeknight. When he saw a cut, though, or any type of denim or leather, he slowed right down, checking for a patch or colors that would tell him what he needed to know. He didn’t see a single Joker. The night was quiet, for now.
The quiet didn’t last long. He’d barely parked at the compound when Seth came strolling out of the clubhouse. At the sight of Doc, he bowed low at the waist, a smirk decorating his face. “So nice of you to join us today.”
Doc rolled his eyes. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
Seth moved fast, deftly snatching Doc’s phone out of his jacket pocket and shoving it to his chest, forcing Doc to move quickly to grab it before it hit the dirt. He wasn’t a fan of the things, but every member of the club needed to be reachable at all times. Maybe he should have invested in a cheap prepaid. They were a hell of a lot less breakable than the expensive smartphone he’d gotten. He’d been all set on a cheap model, but then someone had gotten him addicted to Candy Crush. He was still plotting ways to kill them quietly in their sleep, brother or not.
“Next time, answer your damn phone.”
Doc shrugged. “I texted.”
“I know.” Seth’s face softened. “Look, man. Everyone’s a bit on edge.” He held up his hands when Doc opened his mouth. “I know, I know. You checked everyone out, Levi told me. That doesn’t mean it’s just all hunky-dory around here right now. Do me a favor and don’t disappear for hours without at least giving me or Vlad a heads up, okay.”
Doc’s hand went up, gripping the short hair at the back of his head. “About that . . .”
Seth grinned. “Already figured it out, man. As long as you keep out of harm’s way and get your shit done, you won’t find any quarrel with me. Just don’t be an ass like Merc was and keep us out of the loop for too long. That’s bound to make Vlad even more of a cranky bastard.” Seth turned, walking away, his hands shoved in his pockets and whistling.
Damn him. Seth knew exactly what he was doing. Doc sucked a breath. He wasn’t going to be able to keep them all in the dark forever, but he had been hoping he’d have at least a couple of days to wrap his own head around it all before telling the guys the full story. He should have known Seth and Levi would figure it out fast. Levi knew exactly when you were hiding something, and how to get it out of you. He grinned. Just ask Grady.
The poor fool hadn’t had a chance the moment Levi decided he was going to fix him. Though, as much as it had been a painful process, it had been worth it. The man was much happier now, even shacked up with his old lady and so totally in love he’d almost turned soft. Doc grinned. Almost. Merc would always have that edge, that hardness from what had happened to him that no one could ever erase. But now it was useful, a well-honed expert marksman and strategist that kept the club safe, not a loose cannon firing at anyone who got in his way.
Doc swung his leg over his bike and started toward the clubhouse. If Grady could find peace after all he’d been through, maybe there was hope for him, too. He’d
barely cleared the clubhouse door when Shakespeare strode up, steering him into the club meeting room. He stood at the table, almost dropping a laptop onto it before opening it and typing in a password, his fingers flying over the keys. “Vlad wants me to run you through what I found so far,” he said, glancing up and catching Doc’s eye. “Sit down, and don’t break any of my shit. You’re sure as hell not going to like this.”
9
Ava
Ava stretched, her head tipping back to enjoy the sunshine. It had been an unseasonably warm day, and the last rays were still decorating the sky as she stepped out the hospital doors. It had been a good shift, even ending early after an appointment she’d had to fill in paperwork regarding the whole mess had been canceled. Maybe it was the weather, but just about everyone that day had been cheerful, an extra bounce in their step. Digging around in her bag for her keys, she waved goodbye to the security guard at the door and headed around the corner to the staff parking lot. After the first two days after the attack, she’d returned to leaving by the front door.
She still shivered a little when passing by the spot the gang member had held her against the wall, but Ava was determined to put it out of her mind, simply walk quickly past it while refusing to move her head even one inch to the side. Out of sight, out of mind.
It worked most times. The guard helped. Management had placed one of the security team there permanently after what had occurred.
She’d been worried at first, concerned that it might stop people coming into the ER for treatment. She’d be devastated if someone died because the sight of a security guard standing at the entrance made them too fearful to come inside. She didn’t care what they did in their life outside the hospital; she’d made an oath to treat all patients to the best of her abilities. Ava didn’t care that the oath wasn’t legally binding. She’d meant it. It didn’t matter what they’d done or hadn’t done before they’d arrived at the ER. When someone came through those doors, it was her job to save their life. She glanced back behind her, at the doors to the waiting room. She’d do it all again, scared as she’d been.
The scent of coffee and fresh pastries coming from the van parked near the hospital doors perked her up again, and she couldn’t help but stop for one. Just something small, so she’d have room for dinner with Emily as soon as she got home, but as the sweet, sugary, and fruity flavor of the Danish exploded over her tongue, Ava couldn’t help but moan. Offset by the slight bitterness of the coffee, it was the perfect combination, and she felt her good mood returning. It was the perfect afternoon snack, and she finished her shift early enough to still enjoy the late afternoon sunshine. There was nothing that could possibly get in the way of her enjoying her evening.
Except him.
She bit back a curse when her coffee sloshed over the rim at her sudden stop. What the hell was he doing there? Connor Mills. He was standing at the back of the parking lot, far enough away from where she’d parked that she would have never noticed his presence were it not for the unseasonal sunshine.
As her gaze roamed his body, she inhaled sharply. It was as if all the air had suddenly been sucked out of the world, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Then remind herself that she was mad as hell at him. But God, he’d changed since their younger days. He’d been good-looking then, too, but time had been very, very kind to Connor. His legs were long but firm, encased in denim despite the warmth of the day. A loose T-shirt hung over his body, even the relaxed fit unable to hide the broadness of his chest and the way the sleeves strained against his biceps.
She frowned. He’d removed his jacket at some point, likely due to the temperate weather, but that damn leather cut was still draped across his shoulders. That, she’d never get used to. What had happened since the night he’d left for him to end up in a biker gang?
She should leave. Just turn around and walk away. Instead, her feet started moving in his direction. The hand holding the still-steaming coffee twitched, and she paused for only long enough to throw it away in the trash before moving toward him again. Through anger or nerves, she had no idea, but her appetite was gone. She was going to find out why Connor was hovering around in the hospital parking lot and then tell him to get lost—that she never wanted to see him again. Except why did that thought make the ever-present simmering anxiety spike?
He straightened as she approached, pulling himself off the wall he was leaning on, and ran a hand through his hair. Her eyes widened. Was he nervous? Was that even possible? She’d been so steaming mad at him the other day that she hadn’t stopped to look at him. Really look at him. It had been several years since she’d laid eyes on Connor Mills, and while he’d definitely changed in ways that had shocked her at first, there was something about him. If you looked hard enough, she could still see that spark of vulnerability in his eyes, the self-deprecating grin. She’d been looking for a good time back then, and not much more, but Connor had still treated her like a queen.
Her cheeks colored, suddenly a little ashamed of her behavior. She should have known he would never have done anything to hurt her. She’d just been so damn shocked that she’d lashed out. The guy had pulled the man strangling her off, for heaven’s sake.
Okay, so she’d been a little unfair to him. But why was he still here now? May as well find out from the horse’s mouth. He’d sworn that he was telling her the truth the other day. Time to put that to the test. She stopped a few feet in front of him, her hand still wrapped tightly around her keys, just in case. “Connor. Just happened to be in the neighborhood?”
He inclined his head in greeting, a small smile making the corners of his mouth turn upward. “Might have been,” he said. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She frowned, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He shifted, his arms crossing over his chest. “Uh, because you were nearly killed for just doing your job.”
Ava bristled. For some reason, his tone pissed her off. She was overreacting, she knew that. But there, standing right in front of the guy that had hurt her more than anyone ever did, she let emotion overrule her. What gave him the right to tell her what she should or shouldn’t feel? “I’m okay.” She mimicked his stance, her face tight. She wasn’t giving anything away to Connor Mills. Not this time. She’d given him her entire heart once, and he’d stomped all over it when he’d left without a single word.
You’re not completely innocent, either. Damn it. Why did her conscience have to bug her right now? She released some of the tension radiating through her, but didn’t drop her arms. They remained loosely wrapped around her torso. “I’m okay,” she repeated, forcing a smile. “Besides, that’s all over with now.” Her eyebrows shot up when a dark look took over Connor’s entire face. “Isn’t it?”
He sighed, his arms dropping away to his side. Unlike her, he didn’t relax, though. Rather than reply, he looked up, his gaze surveying the entire lot and possibly even further. The position of his body would look relaxed to anyone watching from a distance, she realized, casual even. But there, up close, she could see every muscle was tense. His biceps flexed, and the muscles under his shoulders rolled as he moved his head, scoping out every corner of the parking lot. What exactly was he looking for? “Connor? You’re starting to scare me.”
His gaze snapped back to hers, a look of regret crossing his features, before he scaled it back. “Ava, the man who attacked you . . .” his voice trailed off as his gaze roamed the lot again. Just what was he looking for? She remembered her first assessment from across the lot. If she didn’t know better, she’d almost think he was nervous. Connor didn’t get nervous about anything. His personality had been perfectly suited to his chosen profession. He’d never been outwardly cocky or arrogant, his bedside manner making him a patient favorite. Instead, he held himself perfectly, a quiet confidence. Connor didn’t need to be a bully to get people to listen to him. He was damn good at what he did, but he never rubbed it in anyone’s face. He just
did what he did, his skills and personality drawing others to him. Now? He looked wary.
“Connor? What is it?” Damn it. Why could he never tell her what was clearly swirling through his mind?
He cleared his throat. “The man that attacked you is not a good guy. Not by a long shot.”
Ava’s eyebrows shot up. She would almost have laughed, if the whole conversation wasn’t so weird. “I kinda already had that figured out, Connor. You know, when his hand was wrapped around my throat.” She ignored the shiver that went through her at the words, but by the frown on Connor’s face, he hadn’t missed a thing.
“It’s more than that.” His shoulders lifted as he took a breath, almost shrugging. “These aren’t your garden-variety bad guys, Ava. They’re so much worse.”
He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous tic she recognized. The hitching breath, the fingers threading through his hair. He was hedging. “What exactly do I need to be safe from? How do you know that?”
His eyes shuttered. “I just do.”
Ava frowned. It was almost as if someone had thrown a switch. From the very first words they’d spoken to each other in years, nothing had changed. He was still shutting her out. Every time the conversation came around to specifics, he shut her out. She took a step back, turning to walk away. “Whatever.”
Connor’s hand shot out, grabbing her arm. The same electricity jolted through her as it had when he’d grabbed her hand at the hospital, the same damn spark that had been between them all those years ago. That morning, when she’d woken up alone, she swore she was done. Connor had had his last chance with her. So why the hell was her body still not on board? Figure it out. He doesn’t care. This whole thing was just a weird sense of obligation he had, maybe since he happened to be there when the attack had happened. What other explanation could there possibly be? Ava pulled her arm away. “I’m done, Connor. If you’re not going to be honest with me, then what’s the point?”
Vengeance (Steel Kings MC Book 3) Page 5
