I guess their plan didn’t go as planned. That happens. Ghost is in the dark, but he promises everything is going fine. He even updates us, following their location as they make their way back to Willowbrook Ridge.
Judge is going to be fine. He has to be. We’ve had our few battles over the years, a handful of disagreements with surrounding towns and cities, but he’s always come home. He’s always survived.
Twirling an empty shot glass between my fingers as I lean over the bar, I feel a little anxious, too.
If Raven were next to me instead of trying to put distance away from Jinx, she’d tell me I was overthinking the whole thing. She’d tell me to calm down.
Above my worrying about his safety, there’s something else that’s digging at me. A regret.
I should have told him how I felt before he left. Should’ve confessed my feelings so he could’ve known.
Blinking away the start of tears, I follow Leah’s gaze, staring at the door while hoping to hear the rumble of bikes.
I’m going to tell him when he gets back. That way, I don’t ever regret something like this again.
Releasing the shot glass, it rattles against the bar. The sound echoes amongst us who are holding our breath, waiting for any kind of update. Thankfully, it comes sooner than later.
“Leah.” Ghost calls out to her, making her jump. “Two minutes ETA.”
She’s on her feet without another word, just as many of the others. Holding my breath, I don’t follow.
My legs feel like jello. Without any idea of what we’re going to see when they arrive, my stomach clenches in anticipation. Telling myself that if I rush out of here, I’ll be in the way. I expect a few of them to need tending to. A voice lingering in the back of my mind tells me there’s a good chance someone didn’t make it.
We only know of Warden’s condition because Ripper texted him. Since then, we’ve been in the dark.
Hearing the roar of bikes, I move to the other side of the bar and take a seat. Rubbing my palms against my thighs, I focus on my breathing to keep calm. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In and out. Slow and steady.
The front doors blast open hard enough to make me jerk. Seeing Judge appear, he’s got a scowl written all over his face. Only once he spots me does his expression soften.
He’s alive. He’s got blood soaking his shirt, but he’s alive.
For such a big guy, he eliminates the space between us in what feels like only a couple of steps. As the smell of copper hits my lungs, his hands are reaching for me. We notice the bloodstaining them at the same time, and he freezes, stopping only an inch shy of my cheeks.
Is it his blood, or someone else’s? Does it even matter? Judge is alive.
Relief floods me in a wave, and I choke on my next breath as I tumble off the stool to fall into his arms. “You’re alright.”
The tension in his body seems to melt completely as I get my arms wrapped around him. I try not to squeeze him too tightly, not without knowing his injuries.
Pulling away, I grimace at the crusted stains hiding underneath his cut. Relieved that none of it is wet, I take in the rest of him.
Only one part catches my attention compared to the rest of him.
Collecting his hands into mine, I take in their damage. The skin is broken, and it looks like they’re in so much pain. Leah’s probably busy enough with Warden and anyone else with wounds. A few busted knuckles should be something I can take care of on my own.
We’ve got a kit behind the bar for cuts and scrapes. Using the strength I don’t realize I have, I pull away from him and fetch the kit.
He hisses at the alcohol wipes, but grits his teeth for the rest of my careful tending.
“First, you beat Ripper up and bruised your knuckles. Now, you go and do this.” Wrapping the bandage between his fingers, I’m careful not to pull it too tight. “You need to take better care of yourself.”
Scolding him at the worst time, my stomach clenches when a chuckle rumbles out of him. At least he can still laugh at a time like this.
“Everyone make it?” My heart thuds faster as my curiosity gets the best of me.
Life won’t feel right if someone is missing. It’s been years since we’ve lost someone.
“Warden isn’t going to be able to ride for a minute. Diesel’s going to risk ruining his arms at this rate.” He ticks off the prospect’s conditions. “Smoke was grazed. Kansas took a blow to the eye. They’ll live.”
