Page 139 of Boulder's Weight

"Get her checked out," she says to Boulder. "Ruby can take a look at her for now. Then we talk."

Boulder nods, guiding me toward the back room where the club handles medical issues.

Ruby meets us halfway, her medical kit already in hand.

"Let's get you patched up, honey," she says, her face kind, but I can tell she’s worried. "Those wrists need cleaning before they get infected. I’m sure Brick will check on you later, but you’ve got me for now."

Boulder helps me sit on a cot, then leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching Ruby work.

"Doesn't look like anything's broken," Ruby says as she cleans the abrasions on my wrists. "But you'll be sore for a while."

I wince as the antiseptic stings. "How's Rooster?"

"Out of surgery," Ruby says, her hands gentle as she wraps gauze around my wrists. "The bullet missed anything vital, thank God. He'll recover."

"And Python?" I ask.

"Banged up but okay. Alejandro's men found him at the northern warehouse, just like Sam said. Mostly minor injuries—broken nose, couple of cracked ribs, lots of bruising." She glances at Boulder. "He wanted to join the hunt for Lashes the second they cut him loose, but Astra convinced him to get checked out first."

The mention of Astra makes my stomach clench with guilt. "She was used as bait because of me."

Ruby shakes her head firmly. "Don't start that shit. None of this is on you."

"She's right," Boulder says from his position by the wall. "This is on Benji, Sally, and Andrés. Not you."

I don't argue, though the guilt remains.

Ruby finishes her exam, confirming nothing's broken, then leaves us me with painkillers and instructions to rest.

But rest isn't an option yet.

There's still too much happening, too many pieces to put together.

As soon as the door closes behind Ruby, Boulder crosses to sit beside me on the cot, taking my hands in his.

"You should sleep," he says, studying my face with concern. "You've been through hell."

"I can sleep when we find Lashes," I reply, meaning it. "Where are they keeping Benji?"

"Secure room at the back of the clubhouse," Boulder says, a cold edge entering his voice. "Amara wants to question him first before we decide what to do with him."

"I want to be there," I say.

Boulder's expression tells me he doesn't like the idea. "You don't need to see that."

"Yes, I do." I squeeze his hands. "He's my brother. This started with my family. I need to be there for the end of it."

He studies me for a long moment. "Okay. But you don't participate. You just watch. And if it gets to be too much, you leave. Promise me."

"I promise."

The door opens, and Astra appears, her face drawn with exhaustion.

She hesitates in the doorway, her eyes meeting mine.

For a moment, neither of us speak.

Then I'm on my feet, moving toward her.

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