Page 43 of Torch
“Doc, I’m Ryder. We’d like to take you back with us, where we can keep you safer.”
“Safer? How the fuck is that safer? Elise was taken from the fucking clubhouse, remember? No. I’m taking her, and getting the fuck out of town. There’s no other way to protect her, and her safety is the only priority for me right now.”
Grace tried to speak, but Ryder spoke over her.
“Now wait a minute. You don’t just fucking abandon the club, man. I know you’ve been through hell, so have we all, but we’re so close to putting an end to this fucker. Whether it’s Tommy or not, we’re nearly there. Bring Grace. She can meet the other old ladies, and stay safe with them, while we-”
“You’re not fucking listening, man. I’m getting her away from this shit, not bringing her right into the fucking middle of it!”
Grace suddenly made a huffy sound, and shoved hard enough at my chest that I loosened my arms.
“I’ll make my own decisions thank you, Mr North.” Whoa, sassy doc is back in the house, and now I have a semi. How the fuck did she do that?
“Babe, think about this, please. Whoever did this to you is in the club, and will be in the fucking clubhouse. We’re on full lockdown. They’re all bunking up in rooms, and sleeping in the fucking bar, and it’s hell right now. I’d rather get you out of town, and somewhere he can’t find you at all. Not put you in his fucking path.”
“Torch-”
“I’m coming with you,” Grace said firmly, talking over Ryder this time. Fuck! Half of me wanted that, so fucking badly, because she belonged in my bed, even though my room would freak her the fuck out. The other half of me though, the fucking smarter half, knew it wasn’t safe.
“Babe, no. You can’t.”
Some of the strength left her posture, as her bottom lip trembled a little.
“You… you don’t want me, Torch?”
Fuck me. “You know that’s not it,” I said, as I dragged her into my arms again. “Get her a coat or something, man. Shoes. Whatever.”
She sniffled a little, rubbing her face against my chest, before she winced and pulled back. I lifted her chin and checked her over, something I should have fucking done the second she ran into the house.
“He fucking hit you?” Rage seethed through every fucking inch of me. That fucker hit my woman. And fuck. Was that all he did? My eyes took in her scantily clad form, which was at least still covered with her sleeping gear.
“He… did he… uh…”
Grace shuddered, shaking her head.
“I… I called the police, so he said he’d have to rush straight to killing me instead.”
I tilted her head up, catching sight of dark angry skin on her throat. The fucker tried choking her. Why the hell hadn’t I checked her over first? I was so pissed off, that I was just seeing red.
“Well, I’m sure glad the cops rushed over here,” Ryder said sarcastically, bringing Grace a coat, a pair of trousers, and shoes. I helped her get covered up, and let Ryder lock the place up, as I led her to the van. The fucking cops still hadn’t shown up, and there was no way I was going to wait around for them.
“We’re taking her to the hospital,” I told Ryder, as he joined us in the front of the van, but Grace shook her head.
“I’m fine. I’ll just have some bruises later. Please just take me somewhere I can rest, and be locked in and safe.”
Ryder handed her something as he started driving. Her phone. She took it, idly swiping the screen, then she gasped.
“He messaged you?!”
I fucking knew that didn’t sound like her.
“Asshole. Babe, when we get to the clubhouse, we’re gonna need to know everything you remember. His height, weight, anything you took note of. His voice. The things he said. I know it’s horrifying, but we need to know.”
Grace shuddered, snuggling closer to me, staying silent.
“I know it’s scary, babe, but we need to know. We need to figure out who it is, so we can put them in the fucking ground.”
She lifted her head, looking at me, glancing over at Ryder, then coming back to me again. I had a feeling I wouldn’t like what she was about to say.
