Page 24 of Haze's Jewel

Anna is waiting for the elevator but there is a man with greasy black hair, standing right in front of her, way too close for my comfort. His hair is long and unkempt, and his clothing is disheveled. As I walk up, I can see he’s making a nuisance of himself. And on top of that, he smells worse than the clubhouse bar at the end of a weekend.

“Look little lady, I’m just saying that if you tell me where you’re headed, I can show you the way. I know every doctor in this building. Been comin’ here for years. They all know me too.”

Anna takes a step backwards. “I’m fine. I don’t need any help. Thank you just the same.”

He takes a step closer. “Women always say they don’t need my help, but they sure do like it when I give it.”

This fucking man does not need to be harassing the patients that come here for treatment. I stroll up, grab him by the back of the neck and shove him aside.

“She said no. No means no. Leave her the fuck alone.” I step between him and Anna, blocking his view of her with my body.

He loses his balance and takes several staggering steps before finally righting himself again. He sputters, “Who in the fuck do you think you are?” before turning around and getting a good look at me.

Like always, I’m wearing my cut and I know the second he realizes he’s crossing a member of the Savage Legion because his eyes get big, and he backs up. Instead of apologizing, like I think he’s going to, he grumbles. “Fucking bikers think they run this town, especially the young ones.”

“Watch your mouth,” I warn him. “You know better than everything you’re doing right now.”

“Don’t fucking talk down to me, boy.”

I take a step towards him and lower my voice, so we don’t draw attention, or at least any more attention than we’re already drawing. “It’s not even noon and you’re already drunk. Don’t let the alcohol write checks your ass can’t cover.”

The man sways on his feet for a moment and then makes as if he’s going to lunge towards me. I feel my expression shift into a disapproving one, because he hesitates. When he does, I’m on him within two seconds and end up frog marching out the front door. We meet an older man who pales when he sees us coming.

“Fucking hell, Scott. What did you get yourself into now?”

Trying to wrench himself out of my hold, he grits out, “Nothing.”

I jerk my chin at the other man. “Try, continuing to accost a woman after she turned him down.” I finish the sentence by tossing him towards his friend.

The man reaches out and grabs him, so he doesn’t hit the ground. “Scott, at least tell me you attended the AA meeting.”

I snort a laugh. “If he did, it was wasted effort. He’s already been drinking, and the day has hardly started.”

He steadies the drunk man and then steps out to shake my hand. “My name is Corey Dukes.

Sorry about my younger brother. Scott has been having a hard time maintaining his sobriety since our mom passed.”

I look Corey in the eye. “She was his primary enabler, right?”

The man flinches, letting me know I hit the nail on the head. “Yeah, you could say that. I’m on it, though.” Glancing over his shoulder at his brother and then back at me, he promises, “No more drop offs. From here on out, I’ll stick right by his side.”

I feel an ounce of empathy for Corey because I know all too well the depth and dedication of a brother’s love. “I’m sure you will. You know you can’t fight this fight for him, right? He’s gotta want to stay sober for it to stick.”

“He does. I promise you that he wants it. He’s just lost his way. I hope your club won’t be harboring a grudge over this.”

“No. Of course not. No real harm was done. Not this time anyway. Just impress upon your brother the importance of staying away from my woman. Unless he pops back up, I’ll consider this resolved.” Truth be told I might have overreacted a bit, but I don’t say anything for fear they won’t take my warning seriously.

“Like you give a shit about her. Bet you were the one who gave her that broken arm.”

Both Corey and I slowly turn to stare at Scott.

Before his brother can intervene, I clear up the misconception. “She was in an automobile accident that left her in a coma. She’s fought her way back like a fucking champ. The last thing she needs is you projecting all the bullshit floating around in your head onto her during the last leg of her recovery.”

Finally, something close to understanding clicks onto Scott’s face. He opens his mouth to speak but I shoot him a stern look, daring him to open his ignorant trap just one more time.

Glancing at his brother, I tell him, “Trying to help your brother is a noble, selfless thing to do, but don’t set yourself on fire trying to keep him warm. If you keep this up, he’s going to get you both hurt.”

Not giving either of them a chance to respond, I turn on my heel and head back inside the building. Luckily, there are very few people around to notice what’s going on. By the time I catch up with Anna, she’s sitting in the waiting room, scrolling on her cell phone one-handed.

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