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“Whoa. You know as well as I do that we need him, Granddaddy. Especially with everything—” X makes a hand jerking motion across his throat, widening his eyes for her to stop talking in front of non-club members.
Ora flat out snarls at him. “Arg. You make me nuts. We can’t afford to lose that man, not to mention that it’s just the right thing to do.”
“Hmm. You’re right. I got fired up. Sorry.”
I can barely believe my ears, hearing the way he apologizes, genuine, subdued.
“Make sure Doc fixes him up. Hellena, welcome to the Block. Wish it were under better circumstances…” the old president mutters as he stomps off, nodding at another biker as he trots in, looking worried. “Dirk.”
“Sir?” the new guy asks, watching the president rush out, chasing down the culprits. For some reason, he strikes me as odd, the tall guy with the chops and a full mustache. His bandana’s well worn, just like his cut and everything else about him. Good-looking, all things considered.
I must be out of my mind for lingering on him.
For checking him out. It’s been a rough day.
“Hey. Earth to Hell?” Ora tugs at my arm.
Exhaustion has me spacing out, falling into a trance on my feet. I blink, and there’s a middle-aged biker standing over Gavin. I blink again, and he’s got an I.V. hooked up to him, washing away streaks of blood to assess the damage. “Clean shot. That’s good. Missed organs or he’d be gone.”
The words aren’t really making sense, but it sounds like a good thing, from the expression of the salt- and pepper-haired man poking and prodding my friend.
More than friend.
He’s…
“One tough motherfucker.” Another woman’s voice echoes through my skull. She’s assisting the doctor, setting out his tools, sending bikers to fetch materials, water. When did she get here?
“Agreed. Ora, your friend is in shock.”
“I can see that, Doc.” They’re talking about me like I’m not here.
“I’m, fine. Just a little shaken up.”
“Bullshit, Hell. You look like you got dragged through a battlefield! No offense.”
At that, the doctor pins me with a stare. “The site. Where you found him…?”
“I finished the job for him. He walked me through it. Bodies are still in the van.”
“Noted. No one tells Xavier anything about that for now. I’ll see that they’re disposed of properly.” He’s stern, but kind. “You’ve been through the wringer tonight, young lady. Go get cleaned up. Mr. Rorshak is stabilized, but I need to finish cleaning and suturing the wounds to make sure he doesn’t get an infection.”
The sandy-haired lady at his side gives me a grin, a motherly squint to her eyes. “Ora, get her fed and showered in the spare. Then you put her to bed, you hear?”
“I know what the hell I’m doing!” Ora declares, pulling me along in her wake. “Water. Food. Shower. Bed. And maybe I’ll even snuggle up with you to keep you warm!”
I try to protest, but they’re all talking too fast. I need to stay with Gavin…
It’s pointless trying to argue with Ora Clive, or anyone else, in my state. My last clear memory before hot water and a cozy bed is Ora rubbing my head, lying curled up next to me.
Late afternoon sun spills through the blinds when my eyes crack open, resisting the pull back to consciousness. My whole body hurts like I ran a marathon.
It’s still dim in the room, and I slide my hand over, feeling the warmth of another body in the bed with me. My fingers brush another hand, but instead of slender, girlish fingers, I find rough calluses.
A sigh of relief slips through my lips as I gaze up to the auburn hair on the pillow, the cut and rugged features of his cheeks, his jawline, and that bold chin.
He’s breathing easily, sound asleep.
I’m drawn to him, scooting over to be as close as I can be without disturbing him or his wounds. Here in this dark room, the world outside feels far away. Everything else can wait. I can’t resist running my hand over his hair, down his cheek.
