Page 56 of Cruel Savior

The paramedic turned to me then. “Your lady friend is in good hands. The best, actually. They will take her to St Francis, which has the number one burn unit in the country.”

I nodded, despite the pit in my stomach growing larger. My lady friend. I wasn't going to touch that with a ten-foot pole. There was also the matter of what she hadn’t said in those few words, and I was fully capable of reading through the lines.

“She was inside? Why? She wasn’t supposed to be here today.”

Axel shrugged. “I couldn’t say. She was unconscious when I found her, so you'll have to ask her later. You see the prospect?”

I shook my head, the weight on my shoulders growing heavier. “Not yet. But I heard.”

"What about Bear?" Axel asked, looking about as grim as I felt. "He going to pull through?"

"Cash thinks so. They just left for the hospital with Cash in the ambulance with him. No one is going anywhere alone. Got it?"

He nodded, but it was the curious look from the paramedic that caught my attention, reminding me that I needed to pay attention to what I said. The last thing any of us needed was more people getting involved in club business.

“Speaking of ambulances.” The paramedic paused from the cleanup work she was doing on Mandy. “I think the two of you should go next and get checked out. Between his smoke inhalation and your possible concussion, you’re going to need some attention.”

“No!” Mandy reared back, pushing the woman’s arm away. “No hospital.”

“But—"

“It’s okay,” I said. “Our club doctor is already on his way. I think he can monitor everyone from here.”

The paramedic glared at him, but smartly kept her mouth shut. I wasn’t in the mood to argue with her, especially with the PD walking the grounds and asking everyone questions. We had bigger things to worry about than placating a nosy health care worker.

“Look, it’s not as if we’re not grateful for what you’ve done. We are. My guys are tough, though, and trying to stick them in a hospital if it's not absolutely necessary isn't going to go well. For anyone."

She still seemed skeptical, but she didn't look ready to fight him. In fact, she looked tired. "I don't think anyone can argue if you have your own private doctor. As long as he or she is good at their job and not dicking you around. These injuries are no laughing matter."

Under different circumstances I would have laughed my ass off. She didn't mince words or bother with niceties. Efficient and blunt were my two favorite things.

"Don't worry. He's good. Just getting him here from Seattle takes time. We could always use another medical professional on call. You ever do any private work?" I didn't know why I was asking her now. My timing couldn't be worse and I needed to get to the hospital. But I couldn't have the talk I really wanted to have until she finished up.

"I haven't yet. But that doesn't mean I couldn't." She placed what looked like the last bandage on Mandy and started cleaning up the mess she'd made. Gathering her things and loading up the big canvas case she carried. "Sultan isn't exactly a hotbed of paramedic work." She glanced around at the scene. "At least not usually."

I snorted. "You must be new here."

"I am." Her answer was so short it seemed obvious she didn't want to elaborate. That was fine by him. Her personal life was none of his concern. Besides, as soon as Tel got hold of her information, they'd know more about her than her own parents.

"Leave your phone number with the prospect over there, and someone will get in contact with you. If we're a good fit, we'll let you know."

She nodded, giving one last look at both Mandy and Axel. "I recommend you put that oxygen mask back on and keep it on as long as possible. I think it's going to be a while still before we leave."

Axel nodded but made no move to put said mask over his face. Instead, he waited until she was out of earshot and hissed at me, "Why in the hell are we recruiting in the middle of a crisis? Shouldn't you be on your way to the hospital?"

His words bit into my stoic resolve. Sasha wasn't my old lady, and running off to find her now only made me look weak, even if that was exactly what I wanted to do. "Based on what happened tonight, I am of the opinion that recruiting another medical professional to the cause is a smart idea. Especially a local one. Where would we be right now if it was Cash who'd walked into that explosive instead of Bear?"

"Don't give me that bullshit. What are the odds of this kind of thing happening again?"

"Probably not high, but not out of the realm as long as that bastard is still hunting. And my being at the hospital sitting in a waiting room isn't going to change her outcome. I have a hundred other people counting on me to fix this shit, and fix it now."

"We can help," Mandy offered. "This is all my fault. The least I can do is help fix things."

I shook my head. "The only one to blame is the fucker who came on our property and set the explosives." I turned back to Axel. "Finding out how that happened is our top priority. I believe in Tel's thoroughness when it comes to security, and I know damned well this couldn't have just happened."

"What are you saying? You think we have a traitor?"

The idea made my stomach boil with acid. It had been a while since this much anger had threatened to devour me. Memories and sadness yes. But this—this was an entirely different thing. I wanted the man responsible on his fucking knees in front of me.

---