Hyram needs to know what’s going on because he’s in charge, but Shaw, Malachi, and I go back decades from our time in the service together. I let him know Malachi’s been hurt as a courtesy because I know if I don’t, he’ll want to kick my ass.
Chapter
Two
Tegan Farris
Blood and me aren’t on friendly terms. At least, not the sight of it. Which is why I’m honestly shocked I didn’t pass right out the second the parking garage elevator opened and a spray of blood from a stranger’s busted nose splattered across my shirt.
I’m still feeling shaky, and it’s not getting easier to ignore the gore now that we’re at the hospital and the stranger’s resisting treatment. He keeps looking over at me for reassurance, and I’ve got none to give. His arm is way messed up in the grossest way possible. His face hardly looks any better.
“Tiger, I don’t like this,” the man says. He’s been calling me tiger ever since I tried telling him my name is Tegan. He also loses his mind if he can’t see me, almost to the point of refusing to get into the ambulance altogether until I agreed to get in with him.
“I know, Malachi, but you have to listen to your doctor. You promised when your friend got here you’d listen.” The ride in the back of the ambulance had been pretty short, but it was enough time to learn his name and that he knows a doctor at this hospital. Someone he trusts.
There must be something in the water around here that grows monstrously huge men, because not only is Malachi enormous, but the man he calls Vinnie is huge, as well. Where Malachi is thick and giant everywhere, the one the nurse called Doctor Charmden is all sharp lines and height. The artist in me itches for the drawing supplies in my satchel, but now is definitely not the time.
“Who are you?” the doctor asks. I suppress my instinct to bristle at his question.
I’ve already had cops breathing down my neck for information about the beating I accidentally stepped into the middle of. Apparently, law enforcement around here doesn’t take kindly to women who believe in self defense rather than playing damsel in distress. I might as well have assaulted this guy myself for all their suspicion of me. They’d been highly critical of the bear spray I’d pulled from my bag and squirted at the man who seemed as if he were coming my way. Sorry not sorry.
“My name’s Tegan Farris. I just moved here and have no idea why those guys attacked your friend or who they are. Like I said, though, I got a good look at all of them and can help with sketches.” Once my stomach stops threatening to vomit its contents that is.
“I’m going to call some of our other friends to come down. Don’t leave. I’ve got to get him stabilized and ready for the ortho to come fix that arm.” He nods back to where Malachi watches us both carefully.
“You like my tiger!” Malachi yells at the doctor.
“I like anyone who helps you, brother. Now, relax and let the meds help.” He nods at the nurse who pushes a syringe of what I assume are pain meds in it into the IV line she started while Malachi focused on the doctor and me.
“You like my tiger,” he repeats. “But that’s okay, cuz she can be my tiger and your old lady.”
His words are slurred, but there’s no way to mistake them. I’ve watched enough television to know what an old lady is, though looking at the doctor it’s impossible to believe he’s the type to have one. And that’s leaving aside the absolute improbability that I’d be the type of woman for that.
“Malachi…” the man warns, his eyes never leaving mine. “You can’t just claim human beings.”
It’s obvious this is a repeat conversation for them. The doctor mouths an apology my way as the drugs take effect on the injured man and his mumbles become disjointed ramblings as he slips into sedation. The chaotic busyness of the medical team continues after Malachi relaxes into unconsciousness, and the already crowded room shrinks even more as two burly nurses shoulder inside.
“Dr. Gianfranco will be ready for him in five. Let’s get him moved and OR prepped,” the sandy-haired nurse with sleeves of tattoos on both arms says.
The other silently moves to Nurse Janice’s side, and she quietly updates him on Malachi’s stats. Through all of it, the doctor is silent, his sharp gaze focusing nowhere specific. But I have the sense he’s detailing every centimeter of the room and all the things happening in each of them.
“Ms. Farris, please wait here while I check in with Malachi’s family. I have some questions for you,” the doctor finally says, asking me, for a second time, not to leave. Quiet authority rings in his directions, but I hear it as the request it is.
Everything about this whole situation has been a jumbled confusion of events that don’t make sense. I’ve never seen a doctor and patient interact with one another the way Doctor Charmden and Malachi did. Then again, I’ve never had a beat-to-shit biker who vibes more like a golden retriever than a Doberman lay claim to me as his very own lucky charm, either.
I nod at the doctor and slump into one of the uncomfortable vinyl chairs that flank the space where Malachi’s gurney was before they’d rolled him to wherever they took him for surgery. Exhaustion and the adrenaline drop combine to drain my last bit of energy. I only moved to Lexan a few weeks ago, and already the city has proven to be a drastic change from the smaller town I’d grown up in. I left to find adventure, but I didn’t expect for adventure to find me.
Chapter
Three
Charm
I step into the hallway in time to intercept Hyram and his old lady, Thyrie. She’s clearly trying to sweet talk the front desk and security to let them through the locked doors. Hy’s just standing there with a menacing look on his face, giving exactly the sort of energy that will have the whole place on lockdown if he doesn’t let up.
“Mr. Holt, why don’t we talk over here? Ma’am,” I tip my head respectfully to Thyrie. The theater of distance is my only hope of keeping any separation between my professional life and my involvement with the club.
The two of them follow me to an alcove where we often meet with patient’s families to update them. Thunder has nothing on the glower Hyram sports, but Thyrie’s the one to watch out for. The woman co-owns a security company with her battle buddy, which, in a roundabout way, is how Hyram met her.
