“Doesn’t matter. It’s just one more scar to add to the collection I’ve got going.”
“Iona might think differently than you.” Violet plucked rubber gloves from the dispenser box in her mike bag and tugged them on her hands.
After Iona opened the package of gauze pads, the medic took three pads and pressed them to Elias’ shoulder wound. “I need the elastic bandage wrap.” When Iona opened the package, Violet grabbed the roll and quickly wrapped Elias’ shoulder. “Is it too tight?”
He shook his head. “Feels good.”
“Excellent.” She returned the extra supplies to her mike bag. “You can get dressed now.”
Grant stepped up to help Iona. Between the two of them, they helped Elias tug on his shirt with a minimum of pain. So what if he broke out in a sweat? Anyone with a wound like this would do the same. “Thanks for the help. I’ll return the favor someday.”
Seth folded his arms across his chest and squared off with Dutch. “We need to get Elias inside somewhere. Are you honoring Zeke’s request, or do we find another sanctuary for ourselves?”
“I said I’d offer sanctuary, and I will. You proved yourself. Your president seems like a good man.”
“He’s one of the best men I know.”
“High praise.”
“It’s the truth. So, where are we going?”
Dutch looked at Shorty, who stepped up beside his president. “Not only did we buy this place, but we also bought a house.” He pointed to a cabin a football field’s length away from the building. “Follow me over there, and I’ll give you the key.”
Shorty walked to one motorcycle parked in front of the building, rolled it into the clear and revved his engine. Amoment later, he returned to the dirt road with the operatives trailing behind.
They followed him to another dirt road leading to the cabin. The operatives parked in front of the structure that would be their home for a short time.
“You take me to the most exclusive places,” Iona teased.
“I’ll have a hard time outdoing myself after this.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s temporary. We’ll make the best of it.” The outside looked like a junkyard with old bikes scattered here and there and an iron bathtub. Old furniture in ramshackle condition marred the cabin’s landscaping.
“This used to have a beautiful yard. Because of all the junk piled up, the grass is sparse, and weeds fill the flowerbeds instead of flowers.”
“If the Blackthorn Riders are associated with the Reckoners, I’m not surprised at their lack of taste in places for shelter.”
“You know who I feel sorry for?”
“Who?”
“Their girlfriends and wives.”
“Old Ladies.”
She stared at him. “Just so we’re clear, if you call me your Old Lady outside of this mission, I will deck you.”
Elias laughed. “I believe you. Thanks for the laugh.”
“We should go. Shorty is staring at us even though Seth is doing his best to engage him in conversation.”
“Shorty?”
Iona shrugged. “He didn’t introduce himself, so I had to call him something besides Jerk in my head because that name might apply to all of them. The jury is still out on that one.”
“Works for me.”
They exited the truck, met in front of the hood, and joined the others. Seth motioned for Shorty to unlock the door. Whenthe biker stepped into the cabin, Echo’s leader said, “We can take it from here.” He held out a hand, palm up, for the key.
