Hawk forced his heavy his heavy lids open. “Yeah,” he croaked. He cleared his throat and swayed.
“Let’s get you off the bike and into the van,” Moose said. He could see the prospects had returned. I have to get us out of here before the Angels catch up with us. The world exploded into pain. His will and necessity were the only things keeping him moving as his brothers flanked him, helping him make the journey to the blurry shape of a black van. He managed to step up into the vehicle, and his world went black.
Chapter Eleven
Pounding on the door jolted Ariel from sleep. She smacked her lips together and rubbed at her eyes. Are they partying out there? The pounding started again.
“Yes?” her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat.
“Ariel, we need you out here right now.”
She didn’t recognize the voice. Fear rose inside her. Hawk had told her to stay in her room unless he was with her.
“Hawk’s been hurt.”
“Oh God. Give me a minute,” she said sliding out of the bed and stumbling around the dark room. She moved to the drawer in the dresser she’d claimed for her own and pulled out a pair of leggings. If she walked out there in nothing but his T-shirt, he’d be pissed, hurt or not. Shimmying into the pants, she moved to the door and opened it, peering out. It was Magic, the prospect. Hawk said I could trust him. She opened the door and stepped out.
“Take me to him.”
“It’s bad, Ariel. They took out the bullet, but he’s lost a lot of blood. We need to keep him calm until the doc can get some transfusions going,” Magic said.
“Is he going to be okay?”
“I don’t know,” Magic said.
She followed him down the hallway and into a large room. They had Hawk laid out on a massive wooden table. Blood-soaked white rags were strewn about him. Her stomach clenched. How much can one person lose and be okay? He moaned as he struggled against the men trying to hold him down so the doc could sew him shut.
“Is this the girl?” a gray-haired man barked.
“Yeah, Doc,” Tiny said.
“Get over here, talk to your man. I need to get in there, clean out the wound and sew him. Calm him down.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she said softly.
“Try,” Tiny said.
She walked to the table and leaned down over Hawk. His eyes were clenched shut and his face was contorted with pain.
“Hey, Hawk. They’re trying to help you.”
He moaned.
She bent over the table and took his face in her hands. “Shhh. I know it hurts, but they’re trying to help you. You have to be still and let them work.” The metallic tinge of coppery blood burned her nostrils. Her stomach turned. She ignored the gag reflex that wanted to rise and forced herself to breathe through the nausea.
“Keep talking,” Doc said.
“The doc is right here, and so is Tiny, Moose, and Shooter. They won’t let anything happen to you.” She placed a kiss on his forehead.
“Ariel,” he moaned.
“That’s my name, don’t wear it out,” she said, trying to keep things light as she glanced up at Doc and nodded. “They’re going to clean out that wound now, okay?” She tightened her grip on his face and ran her lips over his. The heat pouring off him frightened her. It means his body is trying to heal itself, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s a good thing.” The doctor opened the wound. Hawk groaned and arched as the doc washed it out with saline. She moved her lips to Hawk’s ears and whispered, “What happened to you coming home and fucking me until I begged you to let me come? This wasn’t part of the plan. My pussy was aching, wet, and ready for you.”
He stilled.
“Whatever you’re talking about, keep doing it,” Tiny said.
Her face flamed. I know they hear me. They were in close quarters. Tamping down her embarrassment, she continued. “I thought about taking care of myself, but I knew you wouldn’t like it. Now I’m going to have to while you heal. If it means I get a spanking out of it, I don’t mind a little misbehavior.”