Page 75 of Torch
“He’s not,” Reacher said from behind me.
What?
Thirty-Eight
Ididn’ttellLissa,but I asked her to give me today to think about it, and call her tomorrow, because I wanted to, and I didn’t want her to think it was a trust issue between the two of us. It was more about the fact that I knew I’d burned a bridge I’d never wanted to burn, and I had no idea how to undo that now.
The fact that Torch hadn’t tried to reach me so far today was eating at me, because it suggested he either already knew, or he didn’t want me enough to fight for me, even though that wasn’t a game I was trying to play with him.
I went back to work, doing a double shift, and having forgotten how exhausting that was, on top of the craziness of the last few days, I really struggled to keep up with everything, and missed chances to eat, while I tried to focus on everything.
“Doctor Adams? A patient is asking for you.”
I followed the nurse while she babbled at me about the patient, but it all went in one ear and out the other, so it was a surprise when I realised the patient she’d taken me to was Ally, wife and old lady of the Phoenix MC Club President. Damn.
“Hi! A familiar face at last!” She seemed to be doing better, and had been moved to a less intensive ward so clearly had improved a lot since I last saw her. Was it days ago? Weeks? I’d lost all sense of time.
“Hi, Ally.” I turned to thank the nurse, and stood beside Ally’s bed, automatically reaching for her charts.
“You’re healing really well,” I commented, scanning the information while she sat quietly beside me. There were three other patients in the ward, and none were right beside us.
“Reacher told me the threat is gone,” Ally said cautiously, offering me a gentle look when I met her eyes again.
“Yes. I imagine that’s a huge relief for you, in particular, after what he did to you,” I said, setting the charts down, and tucking my hands into the pockets of my white coat. It occurred to me then to look around, and make sure Reacher wasn’t about to appear, or any of the other club members.
“He’s not here, Grace… can I call you Grace?” I nodded, and she gestured to the chair.
“Can you sit for a minute?”
I did as she asked, dragging the chair a little closer so we could talk quietly.
“I only have a few minutes though.”
“You look like you need a break, Grace. You probably work far too hard in a job like this. Listen, I know we don’t really know each other, but you reached out to me when you didn’t need to, and I can tell you’re a good person.”
“You want to know why I left the clubhouse, and won’t talk to Torch,” I said quietly, not phrasing it as a question, because it wasn’t one. She smiled, lifting one shoulder lightly.
“I hear things. As the President’s old lady, I’m here to offer support and whatever the club members and their old ladies need. It’s a duty I enjoy and take seriously, and I know that something happened to drive you away from the clubhouse. If you’re concerned that Micro’s behaviour in any way reflects-”
“It’s not that. I know everyone seems to think I’m running scared or something, but it’s nothing to do with that. I loved being at the clubhouse, and I loved everyone I met, probably with the exception of that one person. I saw how his betrayal hurt everyone, especially Torch, and that’s why I had to get out before…damn… look I heard what happens to people who betray the club, and hell, I’ve seen it for myself now. I know they’re not above taking that retribution from any member, or old lady, and-”
“You feel you did something to betray Torch? Or the club as a…oh… you made the call, that’s it, right?” Shit. She’d caught on really bloody quickly, and I had no idea how to deal with that now, because I hadn’t been prepared for this at all. I may as well have just told Torch or Reacher myself! I pressed both hands over my face, and forced myself to breathe slowly, and not panic.
“Will they kill me?”
Ally laughed, stretching over to touch my shoulder.
“Grace, look at me.” I couldn’t help but obey her, because she was so soothing and calming, and I needed that right now.
“I’m betting you called the police because you thought it was the right thing to do, to protect the club, and Torch, am I right?”
I nodded, wringing my hands together in my lap.
“I was so worried that Torch would have to be the one to…” I looked around us and leaned closer, “… finish him, and it would have destroyed him. Just finding out it was Micro really messed with his head. Knowing it was his closest friend, who literally stabbed him in the back, was really doing a number on him.”
Ally nodded, straightening her arm out, and wincing, when the movement reminded her of the canula in the back of her hand.
“I can absolutely understand that, and I know the club will too, once they realise why you did it. Calling the police isn’t exactly something they want happening, but Micro really should have been brought to justice for what he did, and club justice is over too quickly for my liking.” She rolled her eyes then.
