Page 62 of April 5

"Do you have any injuries on your body?" asked Cord.

"Broken ribs."

Cord dropped the bloody rag on a towel. "Pull up your shirt, and I'll have a look."

"No."

Katrina gasped. "Dad."

"Give me a bottle of pills." Ruger looked at Jagger. "For her."

Ruger had him up against the wall. He knew Jagger would do everything possible to help him. He owed him that much and more.

He motioned at Cord to do what Ruger wanted. Cord handed over a pill bottle, picked up his supplies, and walked out of the clubhouse.

Ruger met Jagger's gaze. "Are we alone?"

Katrina put her hand on Jagger's thigh. He nodded.

"I need somewhere to stay for a while." Ruger paused. "For both of us to stay."

"Is someone after you?"

Ruger remained silent, finally shaking his head as an answer to the question. He wouldn't put his men in danger without knowing the whole story. Not even for Ruger.

Katrina scooted to the edge of her chair. "Dad, you have to tell us what's going on. We've been looking for you this whole time. Jagger has had men out riding every day. Hatchet has men out looking."

Ruger inhaled deeply, bent his neck, and put his lips on the top of the woman's head. "I got a call from a guy in prison, who I owed a favor. He wanted me to save his sister. She was stolen by those who work for the cartel."

"Fuck," muttered Jagger. "I take it the cartel has a name we both know."

Ruger dipped his chin. Jagger rubbed his jaw. He wanted no involvement with Los Li. Like a bad fucking penny, they always seemed to pop up when he least expected them.

"How did you get her away," he asked.

Ruger looked at Katrina and shook his head. Jagger gritted his teeth. He wouldn't say how he'd escaped with his daughter in the room.

Katrina scooted her chair out and walked around the table. She picked up a clean towel and held it to her dad's face, where his eye continued to ooze blood. Though the swelling was down enough that he could see out of it.

She looked across the table at Jagger. "Can they stay here, or should I contact Hatchet for help?"

"Kat." He gritted his teeth.

Katrina tilted her head and raised her brows, challenging him. She'd go to war for her dad, even if she had to go up against the president of Havlin. It was one of the things he admired about her. But he had to think of everyone in the club.

"I need a smoke." He walked away from the table and stepped outside.

It was impossible to deny Katrina anything, but to bring Ruger under his roof and welcome retaliation from Los Li was asking too much. He lit the end of the cigarette and held his hand up, keeping the others away from him while he ran through every scenario in his head.

He would do anything for Ruger except give up Katrina.

Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes. He knew what he'd do, and so had Ruger when he decided to pull up to the clubhouse instead of going to the mother chapter.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the men lingering outside. In the blink of an eye, the party ended. Children were taken home. Half the club split. Those that hung around looked at him, ready for any sign that he needed something.

He stubbed out his cigarette and reentered the clubhouse. Kat and Ruger still sat at the table. The woman appeared asleep in Ruger's arms.

He sat beside Katrina. "You can stay at the clubhouse on one condition."

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