Page 12 of Canvas’ Muse

That's how I'd react to someone who matters.

"The clubhouse is locked down," I tell her, changing the subject because I can't deal with this right now. "We've got three people there already. Ivy, Nora and her daughter. All under protection because the Vipers are using them as leverage against Phoenix and Judge. It's not pleasant. It's not comfortable. You'd be stuck there until we sort this mess out."

"How long?"

I don't know. None of us know. The war with the Vipers could go on for weeks, months. Until one side breaks or someone dies.

"However long it takes," I say instead.

Eden considers this, her thumb stroking the back of my hand. The touch is distracting as hell, especially combined with the pain medication Saint pumped into me that's making everything feel slightly fuzzy.

"Okay," she finally says. "I'll go to the clubhouse."

"Eden—"

"I'm not arguing about this anymore, Davis." She uses my real name, and it hits different hearing it from her. "I'm safer there than I am alone. You know it, I know it, they know it." She nods toward Saint and Ranger. "So, unless you plan to physically restrain me, which would be difficult given your current condition, I'm coming with you."

Saint coughs to cover what might be a laugh. Ranger is definitely smirking.

I glare at both of them. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side," Saint says, taping down the final bandage on my shoulder. "That's why I'm agreeing with her. She's not safe alone, and we both know it."

He's right. I hate that he's right, but he is.

The Vipers don't care about collateral damage. If they think Eden matters to me, if they saw her entering here, saw me protecting her, they'll use her. Hunt her down, hurt her, kill her if it serves their purpose.

At least at the clubhouse, she'll be behind walls, surrounded by armed bikers who'd die before letting anyone hurt the people under our protection.

"Fine," I mutter, feeling the fight drain out of me along with the adrenaline. "But you follow every rule. You stay where we tell you to stay. You don't leave without an escort. And if Phoenix says you have to go, you go. No arguments."

"I can live with that." Eden squeezes my hand. "Now how are we getting you to this clubhouse? Because you look like you're about to pass out, and I don't think either of you brought a car." She looks at Saint and Ranger pointedly.

"Bikes," Ranger confirms. "We rode over as soon as Phoenix called."

"Perfect. I have a car." Eden stands, brushing off her jeans. "Parked right outside. I can drive him while you two ride escort."

"You're not driving me anywhere." Even as I say it, I know it's a losing battle. I can barely stand, let alone ride my bike. And there's no way Saint or Ranger can ride with me as a passenger, not with my shoulder torn up like this.

"Would you prefer I call an ambulance?" Eden's voice is sweet, but there's steel underneath. "Because those are your options. Let me drive you or go to the hospital where they'll call the police and start asking questions about the gunshot wound."

Saint is definitely laughing now, trying to cover it with a cough again.

"I hate you," I tell him.

"No, you don't." He helps me to my feet, and the room tilts dangerously. His hand on my good shoulder is the only thing keeping me upright. "You hate that she's right. There's a difference."

Eden is already grabbing her purse, checking her phone. "My car's the blue Honda Civic out front. Ranger, can you make sure it's clear before we go out there? I'd rather not get shot at twice in one day."

"On it." Ranger heads to the front, stepping over the broken glass and debris.

I look around my studio, or what's left of it. The front windows are completely gone, just jagged edges and empty frames. The display case I built myself is destroyed, prints scattered and torn across the floor. My equipment is trashed, thousands of dollars in machines and ink bottles ruined.

Three years of work. Gone in less than sixty seconds.

"We'll rebuild," Saint says, following my gaze. "Better security, reinforced glass, the works. Phoenix won't let this stand."

I know he won't. Phoenix takes care of his people, always has. But looking at the destruction, all I can think is that Eden was here. She could have been hit. Could have been killed.