Tripp grumbled as he dragged Ronnie’s corpse by the ankles across the dirt toward one of the vans where several brothers were already loading bodies. Blood darkened his shirt, but the stubborn bastard wouldn’t shut his mouth, muttering complaints about me being a violent asshole as he wrestled the corpse into place. I ignored him, carrying Aubrey toward the waiting SUVs, her weight precious in my arms.
Tripp eventually climbed painfully into the passenger seat, holding a towel pressed tightly against his bleeding shoulder.
In the back seat, I whispered apologies and promises into Aubrey’s hair. “I should’ve told you sooner. I love you, Aubrey. So damn much.”
My voice cracked on the confession, free at least. Her trembling eased slightly, and she sank deeper into my embrace, making me wonder if she heard my words, but she didn’t stir again.
Her brother twisted awkwardly, checking on Aubrey over the seat back, his eyes alert despite the pain. For a charged moment, our gazes locked, a silent understanding passing between us. It wasn’t friendship or forgiveness for the betrayals that still stung beneath the surface. Not yet. But a recognition born of sacrifice and shared love for the woman curled safely against my chest.
He gave me a brief, grim nod, and I returned it, acknowledging the tenuous bond forged in blood and desperation. I had a feeling that someday we’d find trust again, maybe even something like brotherhood. But for now, Aubrey was safe, alive, warm, and real in my arms, and that was enough.
16
AUBREY
Iwoke up slowly, my head feeling heavy and my body sore. The room was quiet and dimly lit, with a faint antiseptic smell in the air. For a moment, I was disoriented, blinking up at the white ceiling as I tried to remember where I was.
Then it all came rushing back. I sat up too fast, wincing at the ache in my muscles, and looked around. I was alone in what looked like a medical exam room. But I had no idea where I was.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stood on shaky legs and made my way to the door. I cracked it open carefully and heard low male voices coming from down the hallway, immediately recognizing Canyon’s deep timbre.
I slipped out of the room and followed the sound on bare feet, my pulse racing faster with every step. The voices grew louder as I approached another door, slightly ajar.
“Bullet’s out. I got it cleaned and stitched up nicely. You’ll need to stay here tonight for observation, though. I want to monitor for infection or any complications.”
Bullet?
Without thinking, I pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, freezing at the sight of my brother on a hospital bed, shirtless, with a fresh bandage wrapped around his side.
Canyon stood near the bed, looking tense. Three other men were in the room with them. One wore a white lab coat that hung open, revealing a Redline Kings cut underneath and a stethoscope around his neck. The other two were big, intimidating bikers I didn’t recognize.
My emotions swung between relief at seeing them and the lingering pain from everything Tripp had told me on the phone.
“You got shot?” I cried out, my voice cracking with disbelief.
All five men turned to look at me at once. Canyon’s eyes widened when he saw me. Tripp looked momentarily stunned before trying to school his expression.
“It’s nothing, Aubrey,” my brother assured, attempting to downplay his injury. “Just a graze. I’m fine.”
I ignored him and turned to the man in the lab coat. “Are you actually a doctor?”
“Yeah, I am.” He gave me an understanding smile as he tapped the right side of his leather vest. “I’m Cage, club doctor when these guys need me and a damn good trauma surgeon.”
I looked back at my brother, worry knotting my stomach. “Is he really okay?”
“He’s stable,” Cage confirmed. “The wound is clean. He just needs rest and monitoring tonight.”
Relief washed over me. I turned to the other two large men standing nearby. “Did you help save me?”
“Yeah,” one of them confirmed. “I’m Kane, club president.”
“Edge,” the other man murmured with a slight grin. “VP.”
“Thank you.”
I managed a small, grateful smile before my gaze shifted back to Canyon, and everything inside me went cold.
My expression hardened as I stared at him. He must have felt the shift because his jaw tightened.
