Feeling pleased with herself, she turns her silicone lips up into an entitled smirk that pisses me off even more. I don’t know what her problem is, but if she’s this hostile, Chainz isn’t in her bed. “And I’ll be here long after you so get the hell out of my way.”
“We’ll see about that,” she huffs, storming off in the other direction.
I’m not sure if there’s any truth to what I said but telling her off felt good. It reminded me how strong I am. I don’t need Chainz to validate my self-worth. If he doesn’t want me, then screw him. In the meantime, I’ll make him regret standing me up.
Still fuming from my run in with Shawna, I burst through the kitchen door. Just as I expected, Cat is busy preparing breakfast. She greets me with a smile, “See, you belong here. Anyone who can stand up to that bitch has what it takes to be with Chainz.”
“I don’t know about that, but she rubs me the wrong way.” I help her lower a mixing bowl she’s struggling to reach from a high cupboard, “Speaking of Chainz, have you seen him this morning?”
She stops short, “I assumed he was with you.”
“No, he never came up last night.”
The look that lands on her face sends my stomach rolling, “Are they not back?”
She drops the spoon in the bowl, splattering the cream she just poured into it, over the edges and onto the counter. Storming from the kitchen with me on her heels, she yells for Mercy.
“What is it, Cat?” Mercy appears in the doorway of her infirmary.
“Something’s wrong. The guys aren’t here,” panic laces Cat’s soft voice, matched by a pained look in Mercy’s eyes.
“Are you sure?” Mercy runs upstairs and we both follow, pounding on doors and bursting in. One after another, we find them empty, confirming that they haven’t made it back from the run.
Mercy pulls her cell phone out of her back pocket, scrolls through her contacts and dials a number. “No answer,” she disconnects the call and dials another. My heart sticks in my throat as we wait. “Who’s this?” she asks when the call finally connects.
She lowers the phone away from her ear and whispers, “It’s the Prospect,” then places it on speaker so we can hear. The audio cuts in and out, breaking up his words. “Coming your way... shot...”
“Denny, are you there? I can’t understand you.” several beeps confirm the call dropped.
“Did he say someone was shot?” Cat asks, tears welling up in her eyes. I haven’t known her for long, but it’s clear she cares for these men like family.
Mercy covers Cat’s trembling hand with her own. “Come on, help me get the infirmary ready. We need to be ready to handle what’s thrown at us.”
Dread creeps over me along with a wave of guilt for thinking Chainz ended up in another woman’s bed when they were in trouble. My feet refuse to move, my heartbeat hammering inside my head.
“I need you too, Raven.”
Mercy’s strong voice breaks through my thoughts. “I’m coming.”
Once in the infirmary, Mercy gathers a tray of instruments, gauze pads and towels, zipping around her room, placing everything in just the right place. She doesn’t need our help, but we offer our support. Mercy is precise and methodical, like it’s second nature to her. She slips into scrubs, so she’s ready when they get here.
We’re on high alert, pacing the common room when the roar of bikes at full throttle warns us they’re close. By the time we make it to the door, a van barrels up the drive and plows through the gate, a line of bikes following behind. Mercy runs toward the van with a gurney and the Prospect driving rushes in the back.
Cat and I stand out of the way, watching as they lower someone out of the van and onto the gurney. Letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding when I spot Chainz dismounting his bike. I rush him, wrapping myself around him. His arms close around my waist and his lips press to my forehead. “Worried about me little bird?”
“No.” I lie, but I know he can see right through me.
“Raven, I need you.” Mercy calls to me. I stretch to my toes, planting a soft kiss on his lips and rush to Mercy’s side. They’re all counting on me and I can’t let them down.
