“Thinking somethin’ was up, we went to her house and that’s where we encountered three of ’em. They killed her mom, slit her throat, and raped and beat Erin. They were looking for Pike, trying to torture the information out of her, but she didn’t know anything.” My eyes flipped to Tag before swinging back to Marek and Tripp. “They killed the girl right in front of us. Shot her in the head.” Tag made a noise before punching the top of the bar. “Then they fired at us.” I pinched the bridge of my nose in recollection, the image of that poor girl’s life being stolen in such a brutal way was definitely gonna keep me up at night.
“Did they say anything?” Hawke joined the conversation, asking the question I was sure they had all thought. Before I answered, Kaden, Linc, and Nash hovered close as well.
“They were watchin’ us, that’s for sure. They knew we checked on her at the café. They even knew Tag was the one who always went in.” I didn’t have to turn toward our prospect to know he was barely holdin’ it together. He liked Erin, was certainly interested in her, and to have to witness her death like that… I didn’t even want to put myself in his shoes. “They called us predictable, always wantin’ to save someone.” Linc shifted his weight from one foot to the other as I spoke. “He said they knew we’d show up at her place, that they knew once they made a move, we’d make ours. Then right before he killed the girl, the bastard said, and I quote, ‘It’s perfect really. Four less of you to be around when we do it.’ He wasn’t talkin’ about Erin.”
“What was he referring to, then?” Jagger asked. I hadn’t even seen him come in.
“I have no idea. When I asked, all he said was ‘You’ll see.’ But the good thing is, there are three less Reapers walkin’ around.”
There was no comfort knowing three of our club’s enemy were dead. Instead, we were amped with worry over their next move. We’d come to them this time, played right into their hands, but what would happen if they planned on surprising us, coming onto our territory, threatening us directly, the men’s families?
With Brick and Ryder out of the mix until they were back on their feet, which could take weeks, there were only thirteen of us to spread out, watching over the women and children, thirteen and a half if we counted Tag. Although until his leg healed, it wasn’t like he could run after anyone. He’d proved his aim was steady, however, which would certainly be an asset. I wanted Marek to know what Tag had done without question, and while his actions had been motivated because of Erin, he’d erased a Reaper from existence, nonetheless. “Tag ended the Reaper who killed the girl. Shot him twice without a second thought. My ears are still fuckin’ ringin’.”
Marek peeked over at him, but it was quick. And although he didn’t say anything about what I’d told him, I read his expression to mean he was pleased. It was probably one of the few times his features relayed his thoughts because otherwise, Prez was a difficult man to read.
“Can we go now?” Chelsea wrapped her arms around my waist, careful of the healing wound on my side, leaned up on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips against mine. “I just wanna go home.” Her eyes were slightly puffy and all I wanted to do was whisk her away from here and be alone back at my place, our place for the interim. But I had to do one final checkup with Addy about the condition of Brick, Ryder, and even Tag.
Addy worked on Brick for an hour and a half, tending to his injuries. His were the most life-threatening because the bullet that hit him in the chest, while just underneath his left collarbone, was also close to his heart. Somehow, the bullet got stuck on its way out of his body, but she was able to retrieve it without too much trouble. My words not hers. I was sure the entire ordeal taxed her talents. The shot that hit his leg was more of a flesh wound than anything, tearing away a small part of his outer thigh.
The bullet that hit Ryder below his rib cage on his left-hand side had an exit wound, which was good, but the man lost more blood than the rest of us. His condition, while stable, was almost as precarious as Brick’s.
Zoe had finally been able to see Brick once a few of the guys carefully moved him to one of the back bedrooms for the night, Ryder taking the one next door to him. Addy didn’t want either man going anywhere for at least the next twenty-four hours. Which meant our Laredo brothers were either shackin’ up in the rooms that were left, or they had to get a hotel room close by. I didn’t care enough about the details to ask. I had more important things on my mind.
My injury required four stitches, and I was told I’d most likely have a scar which wouldn’t allow my hair to grow back in that spot. But since it was only the bottom of my hairline, I didn’t care.
Tag’s leg was all patched up, the bullet that hit his shin nicked his fibula before exiting the back of his calf. Oddly enough, there were a pair of old crutches in one of the bedroom closets, the height of them working perfectly for him.
We were a sorry bunch for sure, but at least we were all still breathing.
“Let me check one more time with Addy, then we’re out of here. Okay?” Chelsea nodded, taking a step back so I could stand. My ass had gone numb from sitting on that damn stool for so long, the stretch of my legs feeling good as I headed toward our miracle worker.
“Everyone still good?”
Stone was off to the side talking to Riley and Kaden and for once the conversation was civil. I didn’t know what they were saying to each other, but based on body language and facial expressions, it didn’t appear as if a fight was gonna happen between the two guys.
Addy readjusted her messy bun, pushing back several strands that wouldn’t stay in place. Her clothes were covered in dried blood, but she didn’t seem to mind as much as I thought she would’ve. Then again, this woman had probably seen a lot over the years, if the stories I heard were all factual.
“Ryder and Brick are stable. I’ll be back in the morning to recheck them.” She patted my shoulder. “How’s the head?”
“Fine. I’m a little dizzy but otherwise okay.”
Without asking, she lifted my shirt. “How’s this one?” She peeled back the bandage and inspected my other wound. “Looks good. Do you still have a lot of pain?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
“Fine,” she echoed, grinning like I said something funny. “Go home and let Chelsea take care of you. She hasn’t been able to take her eyes off you since she got here.”
“That’s the plan.” I leaned down and kissed Addy’s cheek. “Thank you for helping today.” Out of nowhere, my eyes glassed over, my emotion rushing forth, and if I didn’t pull it together, I’d embarrass myself for sure.
“I’m always here to watch out for you guys.” Her arms wrapped around me and she gave me a gentle hug. “Now go home and get into bed.” I wiggled my brows, my unshed emotion receding. “Why do I bother?” She laughed, heading toward her husband and daughter.
Initially, Marek had wanted everyone at the clubhouse, all families included, but after talking it over with his VP, they determined that wasn’t the best idea.
After deciding that Rez, Cutter, Trigger, Nash, and Miles were to stay here and watch over Ryder and Brick, everyone else left to take care of their families. I thought I heard Jagger mention whoever wasn’t here right now was at the restaurant, which is where he was on his way to, along with Tripp and Prez.