Page 3 of Oz Wisdom

Taylor didn’t budge as Drifter returned to his bike, shouting for her to get on or get left. Oz leaned over pulling her from Chelle. "You need to go.”

"I can't go back."

"Get on or get left,” Drifter shouted.

Oz shoved her toward Drifter’s bike. "Go,” he ordered, then spun back, dropping to his knees next to Blade.

"I don't imagine I can do anything but let's get to the clubhouse.” Blade jerked his phone from his pocket as he stood. "Three minutes out. Have Della waiting outside with my bag and the yard cleared.”

“Mount up. I’ve got her.” Oz slid his arms underneath Chelle and stood. Her breath warmed his neck as apologies rolled from her. “Shh. We got you.”

Oz followed Nova to his bike and placed her onto his lap. Blade ripped his shirt off, binding it around Nova and Chelle to hold her in place.

“Go!” Blade screamed at Nova then jumped on his bike.

Oz followed suit, rocks flying as he pulled up next to a devastated Taylor standing near the road where Blade had just shot out behind Nova. "Get on."

She shook her head and turned toward the bikes fading away.

"Damn it. There's no time to argue get on and let's go!” he shouted.

She climbed on behind Oz, and he spun out, shifting gears, racing to catch Nova and Blade.

The three minutes that Blade had estimated seemed more like thirty when they veered onto clubhouse grounds. King, KO, and Della were standing outside waiting. Nova skidded to a stop and Blade was standing already. Everything became a blur as they raced against time each of them knew would not be kind. Chelle was carried to a picnic table. Fighting her fate, she spoke every moment she was awake.

Oz shoved Nova to the side and took his place next to Blade, following orders. "Go I got this."

Nova disappeared, returning moments later with Ruby.

"She's lost a lot of blood, and I can't do much here. Bullet’s too deep,” Blade announced.

Ruby scrambled into the mix of people grabbing her hand. "Hold on, Chelle. I’m here."

"I'm sorry," Chelle whispered.

Ruby swiped at her eyes. "Shh."

"I should have never left you. But. I hear you did well.”

"We'll talk about that later."

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. But you're here now. You can stay with me & Colin. We have a cute little home. You'll Love it."

"Love you." Chelle's head twitched. Oz thought it appeared that she meant to move it without success. "Nova, take care of my girl. She always was too sweet for the life we had.”

By this time, Oz had stepped back as everyone else had leaving only Nova and Ruby by Chelle’s side. He scanned the yard. Taylor was at a distance but still near enough to know what was happening. Brick and Cowboy had followed them out and also kept a distance, allowing them privacy.

Ruby screamed, bringing Oz's attention back to the picnic table. She had collapsed next to the lifeless woman that had been her best friend for most of her life.

Oz’s shoulders dropped and his head fell forward. He wiped his hand down the blood staining his shirt. An ache rose in his throat. He lifted his gaze toward Ruby. She had mourned the loss of her friend years earlier when Chelle abandoned her. Now the love of his life was mourning the loss all over again.

A corner of his lip twitched as he watched her cling to Nova.

Chapter 2

Taylor crouched next to a tree across the club grounds. A scream pierced the air, forcing her to squeeze her eyes against the tears. She longed to go to her friend, but she knew there was no use. Taylor’s life had taken a drastic turn a few years back and she had fallen deep into a world she had lost control over. And this woman she just watched be gunned down was the only friend she had made that she trusted.

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