Page 122 of Beast

It’s crazy, but the first thing I think of is how much it sounds like firecrackers. The next thing I’m aware of is Beast clutching his shoulder.

He’s been shot.

Panic explodes in my chest.

I try to stop him from falling. But trying to support Beast’s body is like a toy car trying to tow a real one.Impossible. I start to panic even more. I’m too small and he’s too big. He collapses onto the wet road.

It starts to rain as I drop to my knees beside him and pull the phone out of my jeans pocket. “Who should I call?”

“No one. We can’t hang around. We’re too exposed out here. We’ve got to get out of here.”

I look at the Harley. It’s a beast of a machine and I’d never be able to hold it up. I’ve also never driven one before. I’d kill us both.

“I’m okay.” He hisses in a rough breath. “I just need a minute.”

“You’re badly wounded.”

“It’s nothing more than a nick.”

“I should call someone?—"

“Belle, I can get us home.”

He hauls himself to his feet and manages to swing his leg over the body of the motorcycle and start the engine. With a rumble the machine comes alive.

I climb on behind him and we take off.

Ten minutes later, relief hits me when I see the clubhouse in the distance through the fog. “We’re almost home.”

Beast steers the bike along the long driveway and pulls to a stop near the stairs leading up to the front porch. He pushes down the kick stand with his big boot and climbs off. I try to help him, but the moment he’s free of the motorcycle he collapses.

“Help us! Please, we need help!” I cry out. His shirt is drenched with blood. He’s lost a lot during the ride home. “Please, someone!”

Almost immediately the big front doors groan open, and Viking, a prospect, and Ryder appear.

“What the hell happened?” Ryder asks as they descend the porch steps.

“Go get Priest,” Viking tells the prospect, who hastily disappears back inside.

“Do you need a hospital?” Viking asks.

“I’m fine,” Beast growls. “Just get me inside.”

Viking and Ryder sling his bulky arms around their shoulders and carry him into the clubhouse.

“Why are the lights out?” He groans.

“Blackout. They don’t expect it to come back on for a few hours.”

“What about the generator?”

“Lightning strike. Sticky, Balls, and Lars are trying to fix it now.”

They drag him into the bar and ease him onto a chair. “Where the fuck is Priest?” Viking growls. Then, tipping his head back, he yells in a big baritone voice that rattles the walls, “Priest, get in here now.”

Only moments later, Priest appears carrying his medical kit.

He takes one look at Beast on the chair, bleeding all over the floor, and blows out a breath.

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