“I should have known she was inexperienced,” Razer said in self-incrimination.
Dean nodded. “I can only determine that she was attracted to you and was willing to take a chance despite every stricture her father had droned into her since birth."
“That night she must have thought she walked into Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“Beth and Evie have become best friends. She doesn’t even hold a grudge against Samantha. I am willing to bet she would forgive you if you tried.”
Razer shook his head. “I don’t fit into her life, and she damn sure doesn’t fit into mine.”
“Evie tells me you have been nailing every woman that looked your way the last nine months Razer. Yet you haven’t touched Evie or Sam since that night. You can drink all the beer you want, but if it is water you want, nothing will quench your thirst.”
“Don’t preach to me.”
“I’m done," Dean said, straightening from the desk. “I have paid back my debt to you. I am giving you until this weekend to take another shot at a woman I have come to care about. Beth will make me the perfect wife, except I think she fell in love with you. The man I served with, who saved my life, and was like a brother to me would be smart enough to figure out a way to get the best of both worlds.”
Chapter 6
Razer sat his empty beer bottle down on the bar.
“Want another?” Mick asked.
“No, going home.”
“Since when do you drink one beer and leave?”
The slamming door had everyone's eyes turning towards the door.
Loker James came striding angrily to the bar.
“Mick; you seen Ton? Just got back in town this morning when I went home, both him and the truck are gone.”
“I haven’t seen him today.”
“Mother fucker, I am going to strangle him with my bare hands when I find him." The ringing of his cell phone cut off further threats of violence.
The look on his face had everyone unashamedly listening. Loker’s face turned white and his hand was shaking when he ended the conversation.
“I found Ton.”
Razer and Mick exchanged glances. They knew the news was bad.
“He was in an accident. He broadsided Beth Cornett's car on Ivy Hill. They both have been taken to the E.R.”
Razer's hand gripped the rail of the bar; his shaking knees barely held him upright where he stood.
“How bad is she hurt?” Two sets of eyes turned to him in surprise at his reaction.
“Don’t know. That was the only information dispatch told me. The sheriff told them to contact me and meet him at the hospital.”
Loker left without another word jogging to his car. He was putting the car in gear when the passenger side door was wrenched open and Razer jumped in.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Going with you.”
“Why?”
“Beth.” Without further question, Loker floored the gas pedal.
By the time Loker reached the hospital, there were six bikers who had been in the bar who saw Razer run out. Curiosity had gotten them on their bikes to follow.
Loker went directly to the ER; as he entered through the sliding doors, he could already hear the commotion Ton was making in a nearby room. Relief that his father was in good enough condition to be enraged with the nurse he could hear Ton arguing with loosened the knot his gut was twisted into.
“Let me go woman, I have to check on that little girl.”
“Sir, I told you the sheriff is checking. When he comes back in a few moments, he will relay the information.” Ton was trying to jump out of a wheelchair while the middle-aged nurse was unsuccessfully trying to keep him seated. “I need to check your injuries.”
“I’m fine. They checked me out in the ambulance. It’s that poor girl who needs help.”
“Dad.” Loker spoke trying to get Ton’s attention.
Ton faced his son with tears streaming from his eyes. “I know what you’re going to say. But I am not drunk; haven't had a drink all day. I was just going to the store for a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes that probably cost her life. There was blood everywhere.” Ton lifted his shaking hands to cover his face. “I saw her too, she ran right out in front of me.”
“Ton.” Loker tried to quiet his father, worried that he would incriminate himself.
“No. I hurt that girl. I want you to shoot me.”
Razer could only lean against the pale yellow wall.
“How is she?” Shade, Knox, Rider stood beside him as he waited for an answer.
“They won’t tell me.” Ton redoubled his efforts to get out of the wheelchair.
“Ton, stop.” The soft voice coming from the doorway had them turning; Razer thought he was imagining her voice. Beth stood there with tear-swollen eyes, with trembling lips, clutching her purse in fear.
“I am so sorry Beth. I didn’t think…” Ton immediately stopped his struggles.
They waited for Beth to let Ton have it. Lily was Beth’s only family, everyone in town knew how Beth protected and worshiped her baby sister.
Beth walked forward to face a crying Ton. No one moved to stop her. She reached out and instead of the smack everyone expected; cupped his beard-roughened cheek, gently brushing his tears away.
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“You have to calm down. Remember your blood pressure. You don’t want me to be worried about you too, do you?”
“No.” Ton tried to gain control under Beth’s steady gaze.
“Has he been checked out?” Beth asked the nurse.
“Not yet. He wouldn’t let me.”
“Go with her Ton, as soon as I find out her condition, I will find you.”
Ton nodded, squeezing her hand.
A door halfway down the hall opened, everyone froze expectedly as the Sherriff walked out.
He looked at the audience waiting for news. Beth instantly moved to his side.
“How is she?”
“Lucky, she has a concussion, a sprained ankle, and she is going to be sore as hell for a couple of days. I guess all that research you put into purchasing a safe car paid off.”
The Sheriff attended her church; she had questioned him relentlessly on the best choice of car to purchase when Lily had earned her license. Up until then, she had made due with an older model car, but Beth wasn’t going to take any chances with Lily’s safety. Beth had bought a newer model car with a five star safety rating.
“Thank God," Beth whispered, desperately trying to hang on to her control in front of the group of men.
The Sheriff nodded. “Someone was definitely looking out for her.”
Loker spoke up. “Was it Ton’s fault?"
“No or Lily’s either. Lily said her brakes went out, that was why she couldn’t stop. She pulled out in front of Ton. Beth, I am going to have the car towed to the station and have our mechanic take a look at the brakes.”
“I just had the car serviced last month.”
“I will let you know as soon possible.”
“Thanks sheriff. Can I go in and see Lily?”
“The doctor is waiting to talk to you, then he will show you to Lily’s room.”