Page 8 of Stripped

“We need to take her to the hospital,” Axel said.

“I'll be fine,” I said. “I just need—”

“You aren't a wolf,” Axel said. “You're going to the hospital.”

Zane helped me, slowly, into a sitting position. I looked around at the three wolves. Paulie's right arm was hanging limply at his side and Axel's face looked like it had been dipped in purple dye it was so bruised. Zane had some bruising around one eye, but looked fine otherwise. “You three need a doctor more than I do.” I spoke with my teeth clenched together against the pain.

“We need to heal and get home,” Paulie said.

“Zane will take you to the hospital and stay with you until you're better,” Axel said.

“No, really, I'm—”

“What are you talking about?” Zane asked, sounding almost angry.

“Somebody needs to look out for her,” Axel said. “You're the only one…”

“It's fine,” I said. “I'll ask Alice to stay with me for a few days, she won't mind.”

Axel frowned and hesitated. I wasn't going to like what he was about to say. “It's not just the concussion, Abby. Leopold said some things at the meeting…It's clear he's got a beef with you and he's looking for revenge.”

I rolled my eyes, but stopped mid-roll because it hurt. “He wants a bigger piece of the income from my club. I can handle him.”

Axel glanced over my shoulder at Zane and then looked back at me. “It's not about your club. It's personal. He's pissed as hell at you.”

“At me? I didn't do anything. I've only talked to him once or twice.” At least I thought I had. In my job, I talked to a lot of different people every day.

“That's not what he says,” Zane said, his tone snarky.

I ignored him and looked to Axel for answers. “What did he say?”

Axel shook his head. “The guy is an entitled prick. He claims he was here and he asked you out. Says he was willing to spend a lot of money on you. You turned him down cold and he feels…” Axel itched under the neckline of his shirt and dropped his eyes to the floor.

“His exact words were that strippers are all for sale for the right price, and you only turned him down because you're a frigid bitch,” Zane said.

“Wow, how original,” I said. Axel glared at Zane for repeating Leopold's words, but I was glad someone had told me what was going on. “I do remember him. I just hadn't put it together… He was dressed differently and… But it had to be him, because he used those exact words. I always remember the insults that lack intelligence and creativity.” It hurt to think, but I vaguely remembered him. He'd been paler and skinnier, had been dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.

“Rumor is he's fought his way to the top of the vamp clan through brute strength and underhanded methods,” Axel said. “Now that he's on top, he doesn't have to fight for scraps of fresh blood or money.”

I put a hand to my head as the room spun.

“Zane will take you to the hospital and stay with you until we get this mess with Leopold cleaned up,” Axel said, his tone brooking no argument. “As far as any and everyone is concerned, Zane is your boyfriend. We can't allow it to look like the pack is protecting you. We aren't ready to take on the vamps in any sort of war.”

Zane cleared his throat, but he didn't argue. Axel and the others left.

“I'll be fine,” I said. “Really. You can go with them.”

Zane stood and offered me his hand. “Come on, let's get you checked out.”

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