Page 2 of Claymore
I hung up, clutching the phone to my chest as I sat down, bracing up against the cool concrete building. I was drifting off to sleep by the time Ripper showed up, and I waved to him. He pulled my bike into the alley next to it, walking back over to me with those furrowed brows.
“Damn. Downed by two Fucks. Been there. Let’s get your ass home.”
Ripper helped me up and I rode at the back of his bike, clutching the seat. Every bump along the way made my gut feel like it was on fire, but I held out until we got back to our little oasis. The clubhouse was pretty quiet, and all I could hear around me were the crickets chirping.
Ripper helped me inside and I plopped down on the couch in the living room, feeling every pair of eyes on me. I peeled off my T-shirt, glancing down at my chest to see the damage those two fuckers did to me.
“My God.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think it’d be this bad. When I woke up, I only got one kick in the gut. They had to be beating me awake for a while after they knocked me out. They aren’t gonna be riding anytime soon. I did a number on ’em before I got out of there,” I said.
“I’ll call the doc,” Tank muttered.
I nodded at him, watching Wrench make his way over to the couch with a cold one, and I grabbed it from him.
“Thanks, bud. Need this right now.”
He rolled his eyes at me, turning around to go get another, and I chugged the thing.
***
An hour later, I was getting my wounds looked at, scolded by the doc to be more careful and I sighed.
“Doc, I’m pretty sure I would have avoided getting hit over the head if I would’ve seen it coming.”
“Uh-huh.”
He bandaged me up good, packing up his things. He pushed his glasses up his nose, staring back at me concerned.
“Now, you can’t be riding for at least a few days.”
“No can do, Doc. I have to be in Sedona tomorrow. I may have almost passed out on the road today, but that’s probably not gonna happen tomorrow. Thanks for the bandages and the pills. I just need a good night’s sleep is all,” I said, patting him on the back.
He turned his attention to Tank, carrying that hefty bag of medical supplies over to the foyer.
“You’ve got your hands full with this one.”
“He isn’t big on listening. He’s usually the one always trying to blow shit up,” Tank reminded him.
“Looks like it.”
I shook my head, heading upstairs to wash up, and I finally had a little alone time. I reached for my cell phone, the screen lighting up as I tapped on my recent call list.
“Oh, you actually picked up this time.”
“What happened to you? I heard some noises and then the call cut.”
“Nothing you need to worry about, darlin’. I’m calling you back to remind you that you’re the one that decided to help us track down your brother. He’s a crazy guy, you know this. That’s why you accepted protection from the Rebels, and that’s why I’m checking up on you,” I said.
“Couldn’t Tank have chosen anyone else for the job? Anyone a little less obnoxious?”
“No, darlin’. Everyone’s busy.”
“When I said I believed there were finally people that could possibly take my brother down, I didn’t mean you. I meant Tank, Wrench, Ripper. Didn’t you say your brother was the club secretary? I’m sure even he could handle this.”
“All right, Ella. Don’t get cute with me. I’ll be in Sedona tomorrow. I may just see you there.”
“Claymore, really, you need to—”
