Page 5 of Doc
“You’re Bats’ niece.That gets you through the door.What happens next is up to you.”He continued outside without waiting for my response.
I followed, my smaller legs working harder to keep up with his longer strides.As we reached the corner of the clubhouse, I saw another set of buildings that looked like one-story apartments.
“Last door on the left.”Doc nodded toward the units.“It’s small, but it’s clean.Bathroom should be stocked.I’ll have someone deliver some groceries to stock the kitchen.“
“Can I get my things?”I asked, pointing to my car behind us.
He nodded and I went to grab the bag I’d quickly packed before coming here.Then I headed to the units.I opened the door and peeked inside.I found a small living area, saw a kitchen to the left and a short hall with three doors off it.Bedrooms and a bathroom, I assumed.
“It’s fine,” I said.“Thank you.”
Doc hovered in the doorway, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but doing his best to maintain his professional demeanor.“The President will want to speak with you again tomorrow.I suggest you get some rest.”
I set my bag on the floor, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was.The adrenaline that had carried me through until now was fading, leaving me hollow.
“Doc,” I called as he turned to leave.“Why did the President assign you to watch me?Why not one of the others?”
He paused, considering his answer.“I’m the newest patch.And I have medical training if you need it.”His gaze met mine, and for the first time, I saw something beyond the clinical detachment.“Also, I knew Bats.Not as long as the others, but… he helped me a while back and he’s the reason I came here.Although, by the time I joined, he’d already died.”
With that, he closed the door, leaving me alone in the small apartment in the midst of a motorcycle club I’d never imagined entering, surrounded by men my uncle had called brothers while keeping them away from his blood family.
I perched on the edge of the couch.“I’m here, Mom,” I whispered into the quiet.“I’ll find out what happened to you and Dad.That’s a promise.”
Outside, I heard Doc’s footsteps retreating, steady and measured, like everything else about him.My assigned guardian, whether or not either of us liked it.
* * *
Doc
I went back to the clubhouse and found Savior and the other officers looking over the things Nova had left with them.Despite the way the Pres had handled the situation, if there was trafficking happening in our own backyard, I knew he wouldn’t let it stand.Even if the Dixie Reapers hadn’t tackled anything like that since I’d joined them, I knew about past instances when they had.
“What’s the verdict?”I asked.
“We have a problem on our hands,” Saint said.“Just not sure yet how we’re going to handle this.”
Savior flipped a page.“One thing is certain.That girl doesn’t need to be here.I get that they came after her once, but if they followed her here, then hopefully they’ll focus on us instead.”
I wanted to ask if that’s how they’d done things in the past but decided I should hold my tongue.I was already pushing my luck with the Pres.Just the same, I felt this was entirely unfair to Nova, and there was no guarantee she’d be safe if she left this place.Hell, from what I’d heard, the women running from trouble in the past got to stay if someone claimed them.At this point, I’d volunteer if that meant she could stay.But it hadn’t been offered by the Pres for some reason.Maybe because Bats hadn’t wanted this life for his sister and niece.
“And all that bluster before about it not being our issue?”I asked.
Savior waved a hand.“She may be Bats’ niece, but that girl doesn’t know shit about this club or how to be part of one.It’s better to run her out of here, even if that means we ice her out.”
I sighed and tipped my head back.I didn’t like the way they were handling this, but saying as much wouldn’t do me any good.
“We’ll copy everything,” Tempest said.“But we also aren’t going off half-cocked.We need to research, figure out exactly who is corrupt and who isn’t.”
“Yeah, and hope like hell it’s not anyone here,” Saint muttered.“Wouldn’t be the first time a Reaper turned traitor.”
Savior let out a low growl.“I will end a motherfucker if they’re involved in this.Women and children are off-limits.Everyone here knows that.If they hurt an innocent, they’ll deal with me.”
Wasn’t Nova an innocent?It was on the tip of my tongue to ask, but something told me Savior would knock me on my ass if I did.I didn’t know why he was so against her being here.
“And what do I tell her in the meantime?”I asked.
“Keep things vague.Make it seem like we aren’t interested.Whatever it takes to get that girl gone.”Savior held my gaze.“Think you can handle that?”
Not really, but I wasn’t about to admit it.Nova had already gotten under my skin.She’d come here for help, and the Pres wanted to run her off?I didn’t like it.Not even a little.
