Page 43 of Priest

She shrugs. “It’s a biker thing.”

My mind swirls at this new information and what to do with it. I know I should probably make a run for it as soon as I can. I can’t be involved in this shit with a motorcycle club — legit or not — and the mob. I close my eyes as so many faces flash through my head. No. I won’t go back to that place. Not ever.

“Will I need stitches?”

“Nope, but you will need some antibiotics to clear up any infection, it’s looking irritated and red. We don’t want to risk bacteria, so it’s to be on the safe side.”

“Can I get that from you?”

“Technically, no, but there are means and ways. Priest told me you’d prefer to see me instead of a doctor, so I figured there was a reason, and I’m not here to pry, or to judge.” I like her, I decide. In the real world, she’s someone I’d be friends with. “But I am here to help. Whatever you say to me doesn’t go any further.”

“I appreciate that,” I say. “But there is nothing to say. The guy hit me, I kicked him in the nuts and ran.”

“Well, he’d better hope he left town.” She chuckles to herself.

“I thought the club didn’t get involved in illegal activity?”

Her eyes meet mine again. “They don’t, but they protect their own and their club. If you’re under Priest’s protection, then you fall under that umbrella. The same way I do. I’m Crystal’s sister and help the club out, I matter to them.” She shakes her head. “And if you’re a friend of Priest’s, then I pity the asshole who did this to you.”

I lower my voice. “What will they do?”

Her lips twitch. “Don’t tell him I said this, okay? The club may be legit, however, that doesn’t mean they’re Boy Scouts, ya know? They do what they have to do to keep the people they care about safe. And sometimes… that’s bad shit.”

A thrill runs through me when I think about Priest defending my honor. Not that I want Rueben dead, but he does need to be taught a lesson.

I open my mouth to say something when I hear movement upstairs. Priest is coming back down. “Hey, don’t tell Priest you told me… about the club, okay?”

“Fine by me.” She gives me a wink. “I’ll be in big trouble if he knows I’m the one who told you.”

I’m miffed he didn’t, but I don’t tell her that.

I wonder what other secrets Priest has been hiding from me? One thing I can be sure of; mine I have to take to the grave. My real grave that is, not the one that lies within the gates of the New Orleans cemetery covered in flowers.

The grave where my family believes I am buried.

It’s sad that the only sanctity I’ve ever known is all because I faked my own death.

10

PRIEST

When I head downstairs, Casey is finishing up and her and Bella are talking in quiet voices. I strain to hear what they’re saying, but can’t quite make it out.

I trust Casey; she’s a good person and helps the club out a lot when shit goes down. She even took a bullet out of Rock once when he got shot protecting Jett. Still, she’s part of the club by association with Crystal, and she’s trustworthy. Not that she needs to know anything about Bella or why she’s here.

“We all good?” I give Casey the heads up. I feel Bella’s eyes on me but I don’t look at her.

“Perfect, actually. I’ll get some antibiotics for Bella and have them delivered to you later. There’s no sign of infection but it is looking a little sore and swollen. Her knee is fine, just bruised and I’ve suggested to keep that ice pack on her face for the swelling on her cheek no more than twenty minutes at a time.”

My blood boils. I haven’t had time to think about fucking Rueben yet, but I will be making sure he never walks again. Hopefully he enjoys straws, because that’s what he’s gonna be drinking out of for the rest of his life.

I could also kick myself for not putting ice on Bella’s face the second we got inside. I was too concerned about getting her into a safe space and making sure she had eaten.

I’m a fucking idiot.

“Keep that going for two to three days,” Casey goes on. “Let me know if the swelling doesn’t go down. She’s lucky, no fractures or concussion.”

“That’s because he can’t hit for shit,” Bella says, shocking the shit out of me as I gape at her. I know she’s trying to make light of the situation, but none of this is funny.

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