Page 42 of Unveiled Wounds

“Probably.” I had been busy making sure not to get knifed. I hadn’t been paying attention to where my blood splattered.

“Okay. I’ll take care of that.”

The room went silent as we waited. Fifteen minutes went by, and true to his word, the lawyer stood from his chair and knocked at the door. The officer who had led me in here answered, looking smug.

“Yes?” he said.

“Are my clients free to go?” the lawyer asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“No,” the officer said, trying to close the door.

“Fifteen minutes, or I’m filing a formal complaint with names. You’re far from retirement.”

The officer’s eyes widened at the veiled threat as he let the door close.

I wasn’t taking any chances of not getting out of here, so I stripped my shirt off underneath my club cut and cleaned myself up as best I could. I didn’t have anywhere to hide my shirt, so I rolled it up and shoved it in the back of my jeans. It’d have to do for now.

I was curious how Emily knew this lawyer, but now wasn’t the time to ask questions. Seven minutes had passed when he stood from his chair and went to knock on the door with his briefcase in hand.

The officer opened the door, but there was sweat visible on his forehead. “The clerk will see you now.”

We were standing outside in the parking lot within ten minutes, and I wondered how much this was going to cost us.

“TSC Towing and Wrecking picked up your bikes from the medical complex. They have your contact information, so I’m sure you’ll be receiving a bill from them tomorrow.” The lawyer opened his briefcase and pulled out three sets of keys, handing them to Grease.

We were familiar with TSC–The Shield Company. It was one of ours.

“I suggest you lay low for a few days and let this all blow over. I’ll be in touch if I need anything.” The lawyer turned on his dress heal, and we watched as he made his way across the parking lot to a brand-new sports car.

They’d handed us our phones inside, and I instantly dialed Scrub.

“Yeah?” he answered.

“Where are you?” I didn’t have time for pleasantries.

“The hospital.”

“I need you to stitch me.”

***

Meredith

I paced up and down the length of the couch, waiting. There was a pit in my stomach, and I wasn’t sure if it would disappear until I could lay my eyes and hands on Grizz. Dead sat with his arm across the back, watching me. I wanted to snap at him, but it wasn’t his fault. He had left me alone, and I had appreciated that more than anything.

As I turned around to walk the other way, I caught Sabre’s eye. He held JR in one arm, and Grace was curled up on his other side as they sat on one couch.

Grace had had to step in, calming Sabre down when he realized he didn’t have a choice. He had to wait with everyone else in the main room.“This is her area of expertise. I know you’re worried about your men. That’s what makes you a good president, but Emily will let us know how to help when she needs us.”

“I have news.” Emily stopped pacing, her phone in her hand. “The brothers were just released, and they should head back soon.” She flopped down next to Zook, and he wrapped his arm around her. “I figured I’d tell everyone what happened all together because they’re going to have questions.”

Time seemed to crawl as we waited some more. It took me three seconds to walk the length of the couch. Another one to turn around, and three more to return to my starting position. I’d thought I had some patience, but this was killing me.

Aunt E smiled at me as I turned around. She was sitting with Thunder on the opposite couch from Grace and Sabre. I returned it, sending a quick prayer of thanks to whomever listened that she’d been alright. She hadn’t known anything was happening until Sabre had sat down next to Thunder in the therapy waiting room.

The prospect who had been with them was sitting at the bar facing the room. They had given him the night off, but he hadn’t headed upstairs. The rest of the brothers had found spots to lounge around. The clock was still ticking.

My back faced the front door when I heard the rumblings of people outside. I waited with everyone else, watching with bated breath.

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