“Sasha!” I yelled, terrified she was dead.
The sudden, jarring impact of hitting the asphalt was a shock to my mind and body. Pain lanced every single nerve in my system at the same time. I landed with a hard thud, cringing as my bike landed on top of me, bounced, and then flipped over, landing a few feet away. The crunch of metal and shattering of glass were the last sounds I heard before I reached a hand toward Sasha and lost consciousness.
My mind scrambled to make sense of the chaos unfolding in front of my eyes. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not the wreckage that remained of Bodie’s Harley. The broken glass littering the ground. Even the skid mark imbedded in the inky asphalt that stretched far beyond the muted lemon-yellow light of the streetlamp.
My gaze skittered over the gravel of the road and found the puddle of dark crimson next to Bodie’s body. He wasn’t moving. Blinking, my fingers stretched across the ground, skimming over the coppery scented fluid that trailed all the way up to the wound on his chest.
A gunshot.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Bile rose up in my throat and I tried to turn on my side, groaning as a wave of pure agony swept across my back and lower limbs. My vision blurred, then cleared as I swallowed hard, trying not to completely lose my shit.
“Bodie,” I whispered, chest heaving as I managed to roll over to my right and my fingertips grazed the soft leather of his cut.
He didn’t stir.
Taking a couple of breaths to steady my nerves, I focused my attention on the surface of his chest, desperate to find a rise and fall. Breathe, please.
Nothing.
How long could a person stay alive and unconscious if they weren’t breathing? Didn’t I read somewhere that you had four minutes before permanent brain damage? How long had I been lying here before I woke up?
“No, no,” I wailed aloud at the thought that Bodie was gone. “I just found you.”
Tears filled my eyes, but I didn’t have the strength or will to lift my hands and swipe the droplets away as a few slipped free and dribbled down my cheeks.
“I don’t want to live without you.”
The words tumbled with desperation and sorrow from my lips. I flopped onto my back, ignoring the stiffness of my movements as I stared up at the cruel, cold visage of the moon. Clouds dipped and danced, brushing across in a lighthearted banter, playful and teasing while mocking my current situation.
A groan escaped my lips as the pain in my body spread throughout every cell and organ all the way to my fingers and toes. Was this the end? Would I die here next to the man I loved without the ability to hear his voice one more time? Or feel his addictive touch?
A motorcycle rumbled in the distance and I knew the bike was heading this way. Several more engines joined the first. A herald of steel beasts that would finish what they started.
It would all be over soon.
Death would come on his fiery metal stallion and reap my sinful soul.
Choking on the knowledge, I lifted my hand high enough to flip off the useless moon and the hell rider that would steal my last breath.
Fuck you!
I wasn’t going to die that easily . . .
The bikes grew closer and I finally found the strength to sit up. My head was fuzzy and throbbed, forcing me to sway as I rose up to my knees. Shit. I probably had a concussion.
Reaching into my jacket, I pulled my cell free and noticed the damaged screen. I hoped it would still be able to make a call. I swiped across and heard the screech of tires, glancing up to see the black van was coming back, speeding down the road in my direction.
I hit Cindi’s number and it rang once before she picked up. “Sasha?”
“I’m hurt. Bodie and I were thrown from his bike. He’s not moving! Hurry, tell Grim!”
I tossed the phone into the grass so it was still on and they could hear what was happening. Two Scorpions MC members hopped from the side of the van as it stopped a few feet away.
“Don’t touch me!” I screamed. “Bodie! Help me!”
He didn’t stir and I bit my lip, unable to stop the tears from filling my eyes and spilling over.
“Wake up!” I begged, scrambling backward to get away from the bikers who laughed and picked me up, tossing my body over one of their shoulders. My screams only seemed to amuse them as the roar of bikes grew closer. I was tossed in the back of the van and backed away from the men who sneered at me. One grabbed the front of his pants.
“I want her first.”
No. Fucking. Way.
The van swerved and pitched to the side and I was tossed like a rubber ball back and forth until the vehicle straightened out. Chugging along, it picked up speed as I heard the distant hum of a motor. The longer we drove, the louder the engine behind us became.
Was it Bodie?
Hope blossomed in my chest.
The back of the van opened as the doors flew to the sides and the two thugs closest to the exit aimed guns for the rider who had caught up to us. Familiar dark hair alerted me to the man I loved but it was the cold, vengeful hatred in his icy blue eyes that confirmed my man was alive.
Yes!
The Scorpions weren’t paying attention to me and that was their downfall. I lifted a leg and kicked the guy closest to the edge. He lost his balance and fell out of the speeding vehicle, landing with an awkward bounce and then remained down. Two men kept firing shots but the other turned in my direction with deadly intent. The same asshole who said he would rape me.
My fingers felt along the interior of the van as he lunged in my direction and my fingers closed around something cool and metal. I lifted the weapon as the biker shouted but he was too late to move out of the way. I brought the crowbar down on the top of his head and he swung his fist, connecting with my temple as lights exploded before my eyes. I thought I heard a roar and blinked, rolling to the side. My hand was still clutching at the crowbar and I lifted, swinging again as the hooked end caught the biker’s neck and dug in. I didn’t pause but shoved the bar deeper, kicking at the same time as he tumbled from the back of the van and Bodie swerved his motorcycle to miss the body.
The bike disappeared around the side of the van, and I listened for Bodie’s voice. He was yelling but I couldn’t make out his voice above the roar of both engines. Something slammed into the side of the van and it swerved. I wasn’t sure if they were trying to run him over or off the road. The van hit the brakes, and I was thrown against the driver’s seat. Multiple curses filled my ears.
The van slowed down and Bodie ended up behind us, revving his engine with a fierce expression on his face. Another gunshot hit his right shoulder and I screamed his name. My heart was in my throat and I worried he would pass out or crash. The resolve in his eyes didn’t diminish. The van careened wildly as I heard another motor and realized Bodie wasn’t the only one on the road.
Friend or enemy? I wasn’t sure.
Something hit the van hard and this time I was nearly tossed from the back, thrown to the edge as it swerved off the road and crashed into a tree. My body flew through the air and I was certain I was about to die when I felt Bodie’s arms wrapping around me, breaking my fall.
We hit the pavement hard and I heard him groan but I didn’t feel a thing. My body was sore and my head felt like it was going to split in two but that was from the earlier crash and not this one.
“Sasha, baby, can you hear me?”
My head flopped to the side and I meant to answer. I desperately wanted to tell him I thought I would survive this craziness but I couldn’t. Fatigue washed over my body like a warm blanket and all I could do was close my eyes, lost to the darkness.
“You’re like a fuckin’ phoenix, brother.”
I winced as I sat up, my attention focused on the woman that was passed out next to me in our bed. Sasha was unconscious but I wasn’t sure how serious her injuries were until she was examined by a doctor. I wanted to take her to the hospital but it was too dangerous. Our enemies were still out there and I
was far too vulnerable right now.
A phoenix? This wasn’t a goddamn fairytale. Wraith didn’t know what the hell he was saying. “What the fuck you talkin’ about?”
“You rose up from the dead, you dumb shit.”
I flipped him off, not in the mood for bullshit.
“Grumpy fucker,” he snickered, tossing back the rest of his beer. He was leaning against the door and watching me as I winced.
I moved to my side and lowered my head, kissing Sasha lightly on the lips. “Where’s Patriot?”
“Right here,” he announced, walking out of my bathroom. He was drying off his hands and I assumed that he finished his exam on Sasha.
“How is she?”
“From what I can tell, nothing is broken but she should go to the hospital.”
“Shit. I was afraid you would say that.” Not that I was opposed to it. I just wanted to make sure we were safe first. It was too risky to take her right away. More Scorpions were arriving as we sped away.
“She’s got a concussion.” Patriot cleared his throat. “I took some blood.”
Shrugging, I didn’t care about that. “Okay.”
Patriot was staring at me funny. “What?”
“Nothing,” he replied way too fast.
I looked at Wraith. “Can you give us a minute?”
“Sure.” He reached for the handle of the door and shut it, leaving the three of us alone.
“Out with it. You’re making me anxious.”
“I don’t think it’s my place to say anything.”
Fuck. Was something wrong with Sasha? “Tell me, brother.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Is she dying or have some rare disease?” My heart clenched at the thought.
“No.” He chuckled, shaking his head.
“You’re killing me. What the fuck, Patriot?”
“If you really want me to tell you I will but I think you should let her give the news.”
Blinking, I had no idea what he was talking about.
Patriot groaned. “You’ve got nine months to sort it out.”
My jaw dropped open and then I rushed to my feet, rocking slightly as I took a step in his direction. “Are you sure?”
“Man, I can’t put those kinds of hormones in her blood. She’s pregnant, brother.”
All of the air in my lungs left in a rush and my head felt light. I sank to my knees, staring at Patriot for several ling minutes before a smile finally surfaced.
“Wow. My ol’ lady is gonna have a baby.”
He smirked. “Yeah, she is.”
“Hey,” I asked, a little uncertain, “Would you keep it between us for now? I don’t want anyone else to know until we’re ready.”
“You got it, brother.”
He left me alone to think over the news and I sat next to Sasha, brushing my fingers across her cheek, mesmerized by the love I felt for her and the knowledge that we were going to share a child together. If anyone asked me a year ago if I thought I would be getting married, having a baby, and fall in love I would have laughed and flipped them off.
My heart swelled with the peace I felt when I thought about how right this was – me, her, the engagement, and the pregnancy. I’d never been so happy in my entire fucking life.
Sasha was mine to keep. Mine to claim. Chamuco didn’t know what shit storm he started by taking my ol’ lady. I was going to fuck him up, take my vengeance, and then come home and make plans with Sasha to start our life together.
“HE’S NOT HERE,” CINDI announced, sitting next to my side when I woke up. Dazed, it took a few minutes to realize I was back at the Crossroads and to remember the accident and subsequent chase through Tonopah.
“What do you mean? Where’s Bodie?”
“They went to take care of club business.” She shrugged, tilting her head to the side. “How do you feel?”
My stomach was in knots. My head ached. It was awful.
I sat up and a bit of vertigo took hold, the contents of my stomach sloshing around inside and burning with the need to rise. Bile hit the back of my throat and I jumped up, running for the bathroom. I barely made it to the toilet in time, spewing up everything in there and then dry heaving for several minutes.
“Oh,” I groaned, wiping across my mouth. “I feel like total and complete shit.”
She shook her head. “You have the same problem I do.”
Huh? “Did you hit your head?”
She laughed, a light and carefree sound that I couldn’t help responding with a giggle. “That was great. Seriously, honey. When was your last period?”
Blinking, I saw not reason to ask that question. “What?”
She helped me up and over to the sink. I rinsed out my mouth and brushed my teeth, running a brush through the tangles in my hair. I caught my reflection and frowned. I looked like hell.
“Want a shower?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll hang out in here in case you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Go ahead and hop in.”
I turned on the water and stripped down, stepping inside once the water was warm enough. Cindi didn’t say anything until I was done, handing over a couple of fluffy towels. Once I was dried off and dressed, she returned with a bottle of water and a box of saltines.
“There’s only two reasons to throw up like. Well, maybe three.”
“Okay?”
“Stomach flu or eating bad food. A concussion.”
“Obviously, that’s my issue.”
She leaned forward, passing a box into my hand. “Or pregnancy.”
I stared down stupidly at the words written in bold type. Pregnancy Test.
My eyes widened.
“How long has it been?” she asked again.
“I think I’m late.”
She nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll wait in the room.”
I followed the directions and used the test, washing my hands when I was done. Staring down at the window I kept waiting for the results to pop up. When two clear blue lines showed up, I nearly freaked out.
“Holy shit!” I blurted and Cindi ran in, glancing at the test.
“You’re pregnant, Sasha!”
Wow. I sat down on the toilet seat after flipping the lid down. “This is crazy.”
Cindi laughed. “Finally, I can tell someone else. I’m pregnant too!”
That explained why she had an extra test.
“I wonder what Bodie is going to think.”
“He’s going to be thrilled. That man is so in love with you. We’ve got two of the best.” She reached in and gave me a hug. “Come on. You need rest.”
I let her drag me back to bed and I climbed under the covers.
“The Crossroads is on lockdown until they take care of the threat against the club. No one leaves. Ol’ ladies, families, kids, everyone stays here. It’s for our protection.”
I understood. She didn’t have to tell me all of that.
Nervously, I chewed on my bottom lip. “I hope they come back soon.”
This news was too big to keep secret for long.
“This is it,” Patriot announced, pulling over to a stop.
Grim was the first to stand. “Salazar sends his apologies for locating a decoy and not the real Chamuco.”
“Right.” Motherfucker led us astray on purpose. He would never admit it but Angel was also a distraction. Our enemies were growing bolder and the club had some serious shit to think over.
“Why the fuck are we at a cemetery?”
“What?” Wraith teased, “Afraid of seeing a few ghosts?”
He was teasing Exorcist. Ex always complained about weird or freaky shit. It was hilarious to the rest of us because we were fucking Reapers. What was scarier than that?
“You’re a goddamn Reaper, Ex,” Rael complained. “Act like it.”
Ex rose up off his seat, moved in and stared Rael down, then leaned forward and smashed his forehead into Rael’s. The SAA fell backward over his bike and landed on his ass with a grun
t.
“Fucking hell, Ex.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Rael. I won’t hesitate to kick your ass.”
Rael sighed and scrambled to his feet. “Yeah, yeah. Okay. I had that coming.”
“Fuck yeah you did,” I added, slapping him on the back. “You run your mouth too goddamn much.”
Wraith and Lucky burst out laughing.
Grim shook his head. “It’s like a fuckin’ daycare for adults around here sometimes.”
Patriot snorted. “Trust me. Marines are just as bad.”
I didn’t doubt it.
“Bandanas up, brothers,” Grim ordered and we lifted the skeleton printed material up over our faces to hide the true nature of our Reapers as long as possible.
The graveyard was eerily quiet, covered in thick gray fog as it swirled below our feet and hovered around the gravestones. Moonlight was sparse and mostly concealed by the thick, dense clouds that filled the sky. Even the stars were muted by all the cloud cover.
We entered the cemetery and headed toward the rear of the immense lot. Salazar said Chamuco was hiding out in an old crypt. Talk about macabre. I thought we were dark and intense. This guy actually spent his free time bedding down with corpses. No wonder he chose the name Chamuco.
Reapers loved death and carnage. We lived for the moment when we could reap souls and send them to hell. Our favorite souls were the ones so corrupted, vile, and evil that Lucifer Morningstar himself wanted eternal payment for the deeds committed on Earth.
Chamuco was one of those special circumstances.
We only walked a few more steps when the click of several guns could be heard at once.
“Don’t move any closer.”
“Chamuco,” Grim announced, “We’re here to pay a long overdue visit.”
“I don’t care what you want, gringo.”
“You should. Your choices brought you here.”
“You killed my cousin!” he roared, stepping into the light.
Grim shrugged. “He was trying to rape and kill an ol’ lady. He deserved what he got.”
“You’re going to fucking die!” Chamuco screamed, lifting his gun and aiming right for Grim’s chest.
Bloody Mine (Royal Bastards MC, #2) Page 7
