CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Starlet
“Come on, Starlet.”Angel helps me sit up and I take a long drink of cool water. “Do you want something stronger?”
“What do you have?”
She smiles. “There’s the spark I was looking for. Anything you want.”
“Cereal.”
“What?”
“I love cereal, and I’m starving.”
She places the glass on the nightstand. “Do you remember anything?”
I try to piece it together. Images of Checkers holding a gun to my head… Brick aiming his weapon at Checkers. Me wanting to die… that frightening moment when I grabbed the barrel of Checkers’ gun and made sure it was tight against my skull. It would have only taken one shot. One shot to end all of this violence and pain. My body starts to shake. Then I remember Eagle ordering everyone to not shoot. Brick didn’t listen. There was a pop. How could I ever forget that noise? I’ve seen men die before, but not like that.
“Brick!” I scramble to get out of bed, desperate to get to him. “Where’s Brick?”
“Easy, sweetheart.” Angel and another old lady ease me back on the pillows. “The doc gave you an injection to help you sleep through the night. Not a good idea to get up so fast. Okay? Brick is safe. All of the Iron Norsemen are.”
I’ve been asleep since yesterday? I check the bedside clock. It’s afternoon. How can I take Angel’s word for it? I want to see Brick in the flesh. I need to feel him, smell him… anything to convince myself he’s alive. Why did he risk his life for me? His patch? “W-what about Silver? Checkers?”
Angel looks up at the other old lady. “Can you give us a few minutes alone, Ginger?”
“Sure. Do you like Cheerios, Starlet?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll get you a big bowl.”
“Thanks, Ginger,” Angel says as she leaves.
“Where’s Brick?”
“Checkers and the other Devil’s Crusaders officers are dead, Starlet.”
My heart sinks into my stomach. This is my fault. “Silver?”
“On his way back to Alabama with an escort.”
Why won’t she let me see Brick? “Brick?” I ask again.Please be here. Please hold me. Please kiss me.
“Part of the escort.”
Panic sets in. I can’t stay here. I’ve already endangered Brick and Juanita, now the whole club. Retaliation is sure to follow. I can’t allow more people to die because of me. “I-I’m sorry, Angel.”
“For what?” She sits on the edge of the mattress.
“For bringing my trouble here. I can’t imagine how you feel about me. But if you’ll let me take a shower and gather my things…” Juanita will help me get out of town… relocate to another state. If I can get away from Louisiana, there’s a chance everyone will come out of this okay. Maybe I can go to California or Alaska. Canada, even. Out of reach, out of mind. But Silver has a long memory and a bitter, cold heart. His connections are far-reaching. He’ll never let me go, not after what happened. Tears burn my eyes.
I fucked up by calling Silver myself. I should have let Brick do his job, respected Eagle’s wishes.
“Starlet.” She cradles my hand in hers. “Pretty sure you don’t remembereverythingthat happened yesterday. The doctor said you were in shock, so it’s no surprise, really. Brick claimed you as his old lady. You’re part of our family now.”
I’m Brick’s old lady? I belong to the Iron Norsemen now? How? More half memories roll around in my numb mind. I’m trying too hard to think. My head hurts. Blood. I gaze down at my clothes. There should be blood all over me. Checkers nearly fell on top of me. I’m wearing shorts and a T-shirt, my white sundress is gone. “Who dressed me?”
