“Okay.” I nod.
“Molly…” Payden turns to her colleague, brushing a hand over her face. She’s clammy and shaking. “Is she okay?”
“She passed out,” Huster says. “She’s breathin’, but she’s lost a bit of blood. No doubt she’s in shock.”
Understandable. The girl can’t be more than early twenties, and I’m sure she’s never been involved in anything like this before.
“Gonna have the cops surroundin’ the joint soon,” Tag tells us. “So anythin’ you need, tell me now.” He directs that last part to Payden.
“My briefcase has my files inside. I need those to…” she trails off, then looks up at me. “There was a safe house. What if Becca isn’t okay? What if they got to her, too? I need to call her… She left me a message and I couldn’t get hold of her again…”
I don’t know who Becca is, but I’m sure as shit gonna find out.
“Tell us everythin’ back at the clubhouse.” I kiss the top of her head, not caring who sees.
The boys take off and Payden leans against me like she may collapse at any given moment.
My protective streak takes over and I want to haul her into my arms and hide her from the world.
We bust out the back into the alleyway, and the twins, Rock and Jett, are waiting with a van along with Bronco, our other Tail Gunner. I’m glad they thought to bring the van.
“Get her out of here,” I say, turning Payden toward them.
“No,” Payden says. “W-where are you going?”
“I need to go back and see if there’s anyone else alive and needs help. You’ll be safe with the guys.”
“But the cops and the medics are coming,” she whispers.
Just as she says it, an ambulance pulls into the driveway. Hustler flags them down as the EMTs jump out and help Molly.
“Please,” Payden whispers. “Please, Logan, I need you.”
I swallow, then nod.
I glance at Rock. “Got it,” he says, then to his brother, “You good with Bronc?”
“Hey, how come I get to babysit?” Bronco complains, then he glances at Payden. “Shit, that came out wrong.”
Payden shakes her head. “It’s okay.”
“Leave Titan and get gone then,” Jett replies, muttering under his breath.
Bronco turns and leans into the van, and I know he’s patting his monster-sized dog before he takes off. Titan, his Cane Corso, is a protector from way back, and though he’s a wall of muscle, he’s only a killing machine when Bronco, or any of us, are threatened. Then he turns from a playful pup into a mean, growling, fighting machine.
When Bronco shifts out of the way, Payden shrieks when she sees Titan.
“Holy fuck!” She tries to get around me but I hold her in place.
“You’ve seen Titan before?” I query.
“Yes, but he’s always on Bronco’s heels,” she says.
“He’s only mean to look at. He’s a good boy,” I tell her. “A big softie for the ladies. Hop in, you’ll see what I mean.”
I help her up as she steps over the huge dog, who doesn’t even attempt to move. He keeps his eyes on her though, just as Bronco calls out. “Titan, protect her. Dad’ll be back soon.”
Titan makes a gruffing noise, then turns his head to look at Payden as she sits in the seat farthest away from him. He turns in a circle, moving toward her, then dumps his big ass body at her feet and stays there, his head resting on her knee as she glances down at him.
