Page 5 of Puck Blocked
“I’m on my way.”
“Drive safe,” Mom says. “I love you.”
“Love you too. See you soon.” I hang up and reach for my bag before pulling my wallet and keys from my locker.
“What happened?” Gray steps in front of me. Blocking me from walking out.
“I… I have to go home. Montana’s in the hospital. Mom thinks someone…” I feel sick. My stomach turns at the thought of someone hurting her.
“I’ll drive. Come on.” Gray snatches the keys out of my hand and I’m too numb to do anything but watch him.
“It’s a three-hour drive, Gray. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t give a fuck if you’ll be fine. Let’s go,” he grunts in my direction before walking out. I slide my feet into my shoes and follow after him. He stops to talk to Kathryn and Graycee for a second. I don’t hear or even bother to listen to their conversation. My mind is reeling with all the possibilities of what could have happened to Montana…
“Last time I made the trip home, to that hospital, it was because Sean died. I can’t do it again…” I whisper the moment we’re on the road, my glare focused on the signs blurring by us.
“Did your mom mention how bad it really is? What kind of injuries?” Gray asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “Just that she’s okay.”
“Then, she’s okay. Your mom wouldn’t lie to you.”
He doesn’t know Montana like I do, though. She’s not okay. And I’ve been a fucking asshole for not checking in on her. I thought keeping my distance was the best thing for her, that I was letting her move on so that she could create a life that didn’t include me. I thought she’d be happy.
“I’m going to fucking kill him. Whoever the fuck she’s been seeing, whoever’s used her like a fucking punching bag… I’m going to find him and tear his fucking heart out of his chest.”
“I’ll help.” No questions asked, no hesitation. Just… I’ll help. Gray knows all about Montana. What she means to me.
We went out drinking shortly after I joined the Knights, and he asked about the name tattooed across my ribs. Three whiskeys deep and I told him everything. All about Sean, what he did, and then all about the girl I was in love with. The girl I couldn’t have. The girl I still shouldn’t be thinking about.
“What if she doesn’t want my help?” I ask after another moment of strained silence. I mean, what if I get there and she tells me to fuck off?
I wouldn’t blame her.
“Since when do you care if people want your help or not?” Gray says. “Best thing to do is not even ask. Just do whatever you have to do to get her out of the situation she’s in.”
“You’re right.” I nod my head.
Montana is coming home with me today. Kicking and screaming if need be. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ve let her live her life. I’ve left her alone, and now she’s curled up in a hospital bed because some asshole thought it’d be fun to beat on her.
Fuck that. I’ll never let anyone lay a single finger on her again.
Chapter Three
The door slams open and I jerk awake. Oh shit, he’s here. He actually came. I can’t let him see me looking like this. He won’t like it. I open my eyes and glance around the room, my blurry vision settling on a male form.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I… I’ll get dressed. I’ll clean myself up,” I whisper, while trying to coax my body upright.
Everything hurts. I didn’t bother to ask what my injuries were when the nurses and doctors came to check on me. I don’t need to know. I just need to push through the pain and get up. Andrew doesn’t like it when I’m not presentable.
A woman should always look her best, Montana. Are you a woman or a common whore? Because if you’re going to dress like a whore, I’ll have no choice but to treat you like one.
The memory of his warning rings through my head as I attempt to stand.
“Tanna, Stop moving.”
I freeze. He must have done a real number on my head this time around. Because that voice… that nickname… Only two people have ever called me that. My brother and?—
