Page 26 of Shadow

“He needs to see a doctor,” Camilla insisted, her voice firm as she turned to Rooster.

He nodded in agreement.They scrambled. An hour later, they arrived at Hanging Grove Medical, where Shadow was taken in for treatment.

As the medical staff worked to extract the bullet lodged in Shadow’s shoulder, Camilla took a moment to make an important phone call. Not telling her brother she was alive right after her rescue was a terrible move on her part, Camilla could see that now.

“Jake’s dead,” she began when her brother, Fernando, answered. She recounted the events that had unfolded, the danger they had faced.

“What about you? Are you hurt?” Fernando’s concern was evident in his voice.

“I’m unharmed, thanks to Shadow,” Camilla replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

“Camilla, for God’s sake. Come home,” Fernando said, voice strangely vulnerable.

****

Camilla remained resolute. “No, we tried doing it your way. If you want to talk, you can visit me here,” she said firmly. “Either way, my decision is made. I’m staying here with Shadow in Hanging Grove, Brother.”

Reluctantly, Fernando agreed. They ended the call, leaving Camilla to gather her thoughts as she waited for news of Shadow’s condition.

Entering the room where Shadow was being treated, Camilla was unsurprised to find Rooster and his other MC brothers there. Rooster caught her eye and without a word, he ordered everyone out, giving them privacy.

Camilla offered him an appreciative smile before taking a seat beside Shadow’s bed. He made space for her, his gaze filled with warmth despite the pain etched on his face.

“We need to talk,” Shadow began. She nodded, knowing they shouldn’t delay this conversation.

“You can’t run off just like that, Camilla. I thought I meant more to you,” Shadow began.

“You mean the world to me,” she replied. “That’s why I did it. I thought by settling this myself, I was protecting you. But look how that turned out. I’m so sorry for putting you through this, Shadow.”

Shadow reached out, his touch gentle as he cupped her cheek. “No one could predict what happened,” he said reassuringly. “Next time, talk to me first before doing anything reckless. We’re in this together.”

“I will,” Camilla promised.

She then hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I talked to my brother.”

Shadow’s eyebrows furrowed slightly in concern. “What did you tell him?”

“That if he wants to talk, we’ll do it here,” she explained. “But I put my foot down and told him firmly that my place is here with you.”

“Do you think I’ll have to fight him?” he asked.

Camilla thought for a moment, considering her recent conversation with Fernando. “Jake’s betrayal would hit him hard. But I think I could convince him I’m much safer here with you,” she said with confidence.

“Good,” Shadow said.

Camilla settled in beside Shadow and stayed with him until he fell asleep.

Chapter Ten

Shadow guided the motorcycle to a stop, feeling the rumble of the engine quieting beneath him.

As he swung his leg over and dismounted, he noticed the tension radiating off Camilla. It wasn’t surprising. They were about to face Fernando in person, after the turmoil of the previous week with Jake.

“Hey,” he murmured, drawing her close before they stepped toward the roadhouse entrance. “You’ve got this.”

His words were meant to reassure her, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. He felt her relax against him, her nerves visibly easing as she nodded in response.

In truth, Shadow was proud of Camilla for orchestrating this meeting with her brother on neutral ground.

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