Page 26 of Doc
Doc pulled it shut behind us.I stood before them, refusing to let my hands tremble or my gaze drop.I’d faced down corrupt cops and killers; I could face these men and whatever verdict they’d reached.
“Last night was a clusterfuck,” Savior began without preamble.“Four brothers shot, clubhouse shot to hell, and the Blood Pagans getting bold enough to hit us on our own territory.”
I nodded, accepting the unspoken accusation.This violence had followed me here.
“You held your own,” he continued, surprising me.“Most women would’ve been hiding under a table, but you were out there, helping Doc save lives.”
“It was the right thing to do,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
Tempest snorted.“Right thing nearly got more brothers killed.”
Doc shifted beside me, his posture tensing.I placed a hand lightly on his arm -- a silent request to let me handle this.
“I know what you’re going to say.”My gaze locked with Savior’s.“I need to leave.And you’re right.”
A flash of surprise crossed his face.He clearly hadn’t expected me to agree so readily.
“It’s the smart move,” Savior said.“For your safety and to reduce heat on the club.We’ve arranged a safe house three towns over.Doc will take you there today.”
I felt Doc’s muscles tighten beneath my fingers.He hadn’t known this part of the plan.I let my hand fall back to my side, fingers curling into fists as I chose my next words carefully.
“I’ll go.”I watched their expressions.“But I have conditions.”
Tempest’s eyebrows shot up.“Conditions?”he repeated, like the word tasted bad in his mouth.
“The club doesn’t just deal with the human trafficking.I want people to know my parents were murdered and why.I didn’t come this far to walk away with nothing.”My voice didn’t waver, though my hands trembled slightly at my sides.I clasped them behind my back, standing tall despite feeling small in this room full of dangerous men.“The trafficking ring, the corrupt officials, the missing girls -- all of it.My mother died trying to expose these people.I won’t let that be for nothing.”
Saint leaned forward, his forearms resting on the table.“And if we say no?”
I lifted my chin.“Then I’ll keep digging on my own.I’ll find other allies.Even if the FBI hadn’t listened before, maybe I can make them hear me now.Whatever it takes.”
The threat hung in the air between us.Bringing in feds was the nuclear option in their world -- one that could destroy the club entirely.It was one thing for me to have gone to the FBI before, but to bring them in now?Not the best idea, at least not for the Dixie Reapers.I might not know a lot about this place, but I’d picked up enough hints from Uncle Bats to know these men were outlaws.I doubted they did everything the legal way.Feds sniffing around would bring trouble.
“You got your uncle’s spine,” Savior said after a long silence.“And his ability to be a pain in the ass.”
Despite everything, I felt my lips twitch toward a smile.“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Savior exchanged glances with Saint and Tempest, some silent communication passing between them.Doc remained a solid presence at my back, quiet but watchful.
“Fine.”Savior gave a slight nod.“We’ll handle the investigation, and make sure people know what really happened to your parents, but you stay at the safe house, keep your head down, and don’t contact anyone without our say-so.Clear?”
Relief flooded through me so strongly I nearly swayed on my feet.“Clear.”
“Doc will escort you,” he continued.“Get your things.You leave in an hour.”
I nodded, recognizing the dismissal.Doc opened the door, and I stepped into the hallway with his presence closing in behind me as the door shut again.The dim corridor held only us, the weight of the decision pressing between us.
“You knew they’d want me gone,” I mumbled, not turning to face him.
“It’s the right call.”
I nodded, even if I didn’t want to agree with him.The Blood Pagans had brought war to the club’s doorstep because of me.My actions had hurt people -- could have killed them -- because I stirred up a hornet’s nest.
“I’m sorry.”I turned to face him.“For all of this.”
Doc’s expression softened, those piercing blue eyes warming as they met mine.“Don’t be.”He reached out to brush his fingers against mine, the brief contact sending electricity up my arm.“You’re doing what your mother would have done.What’s right.”
In that moment, standing in the dim hallway with the scent of blood and gunpowder still clinging to our clothes, I realized just how much I relied on this man I barely knew.How much I felt for him.
