Page 6 of Tank

"She's stable," Doc says finally, straightening up. "But she’s going to need rest and fluids. I’ll set up an IV."

I nod, relief washing over me like a wave. "Thanks, Doc. I owe you one."

He waves off my gratitude, already packing up his bag. "Just doing my job," he says. "You know where to find me if anything changes."

And then he's gone, leaving me alone with her once more. I sink down into the chair beside the bed, my eyes never leaving her face.

"Who are you?" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the hum of the air conditioner. "What happened to you out there?"

But she just lies there, lost in a world of her own. And as the minutes tick by, I find myself making a silent promise.

I’ll keep her safe. I’ll find out what happened to her. And I’ll make damn sure that whoever hurt her pays the price.

Because that’s what I do. That’s who I am.

I’m Tank, the Iron Reaper. And I never let anyone down, no matter what it costs me.

The hours tick by as I sit there, keeping watch over the mysterious woman who’s stumbled into my life. The steady beepof the heart monitor fills the room, a constant reminder that she’s still with us, still fighting.

I can’t explain it, but something about her calls to me on a level I’ve never experienced before. It’s like a pull, a connection I can’t shake off. And the longer I sit there, the stronger it grows.

My mind races with questions, trying to piece together the puzzle of who she is and what brought her to Perdition. But for now, all I can do is wait and hope that she wakes up soon.

As the first rays of sunlight start to peek through the blinds, I hear a soft groan from the bed. I lean forward, my heart pounding in my chest as her eyelids flutter open.

"Hey," I say softly, not wanting to startle her. "You’re safe now. You’re at Perdition, the Iron Reapers’ clubhouse."

She blinks up at me, confusion and fear clouding her eyes. "Who... who are you?" she croaks, her voice hoarse from disuse.

"I’m Tank," I reply, offering her a reassuring smile. "I’m the one who found you last night. You collapsed in the bar, and I brought you up here to get some help."

She nods slowly, seeming to process my words. "Thank you," she whispers, her gaze dropping to the IV line in her arm.

"Don’t mention it," I say, shrugging off her gratitude. "I’m just glad you’re okay."

But even as I speak the words, I know this is just the beginning.

THREE

SOPHIE

Darkness.Muffled voices. My heart pounds against my chest, threatening to break free. Where the fuck am I? Vision blurred, I blink rapidly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Panic rises in my throat, choking me.

Gotta get out of here. Now.

I try to move, but my body won't cooperate. Pain lances through me, stealing my breath. I'm so damn weak. Gotta keep moving. Can't stay here. Not safe. Never safe.

I attempt to raise my head, ignoring the searing agony radiating from my temple. The room spins violently. Bile burns the back of my throat. I'm gonna be sick.

No. Focus. Get the hell up.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself up on my elbows. The scratchy material of the sheets rubs against my skin. Sheets? I'm in a bed. How did I get here? Fuck if I know. Memory's shot to shit.

Last thing I remember...running. Always running. Then, blackness. Did they find me? Oh god, what if they—

No! Stop. Breathe. You're not there. Not anymore.

I scan the room, searching for an escape route. Door. There. I just need to reach it. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, biting back a scream as pain rips through my body. Keep going. Survive.

---