Page 63 of Rogue

We’re taking down Clive and his whole operation tonight. Whatever it takes. Afterwards, I’ll have all the time in the world to figure out what to do with Unholy and the LAPD. And moreimportantly I’ll have all the time in the world to spend with Melody. Which is all I really want to do anyway.

30

Melody

“Hey, lover girl,” Shelly calls out as I pass the admit desk.

I turn so sharply I almost lose my balance, which only makes her grin wider. “Nice roses. Did you get a ring to go with them too?”

The receptionist and Howie chuckle and I know my face must be as red as those roses judging by the heat suffusing my cheeks.

“A little early for that,” I say. “But down the line, who knows?”

Two weeks ago, I was sure it’d be a good long while before I found someone and now this ring idea is a very likely scenario for my future.

“What do bikers call their wives? Old ladies, I think it is,” Howie says.

“Yes, that’s right,” I say. “Well, not necessarily wives, though. Just the women they plan on spending forever with.”

Another thing I was sure I’d never be called just two weeks ago. And now, here I am.

“Well, well, well, someone’s been studying up on the biker culture,” Shelly says, making my breath hitch in my throat. Ifthere’s one thing I know better than medicine it’s biker culture. Not that I’m ready to have everyone here know that.

Shelly comes around the counter with a chart. “You can use all that new knowledge on your next patient. It’s the same guy you saw a couple of days ago. He’s back and he’s asking for you specifically. Must’ve made an impression, you old lady you.”

Unholy, is back? Why?

I almost blurt out that there was nothing wrong with him in the first place but manage not to.

“That’s not how that term’s used,” I correct her instead.

“I put him in exam room three,” Shelly says, laughing. “Holler if you need me.”

“Will do, thanks,” I say and walk towards the room.

He’s probably here to make some more threats. A wasted trip for him now that I finally told Rogue the truth about my past.

“What seems to be the problem this time, Unholy?” I ask as I enter the exam room, flipping through his chart to see if he gave his real name this time.

The room is dark, the shades on the window drawn and I barely have time to realize he’s nowhere to be seen before something hard and cold is pressed into my side and a hand grabs my shoulder.

“We’re getting out of here. Right now,” Unholy growls. “You make a sound or try to alert anyone, you’re dead.”

“What the hell is your problem?” I snap. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Psycho.”

“Stop talking and start walking,” he says. “We leave by the back.”

“You better let me go before I start screaming,” I snap. “I’ll let you walk out of here, but after that you’re on your own. Rogue will hear of this. And the Devils will too.”

“Trust me, sweet Melody,” he says. “All those guys are too far away to help you. I’m your only hope right now. So start walking.”

He shoves the gun deeper into my flesh, but I’m willing to bet my right kidney he’s not gonna fire. Not inside the hospital. And there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere with him. So I slam my elbow into his stomach as hard as I can, making him groan. But the next thing I know, he’s got one of his beefy arms around my throat and is dragging me away from the door and towards the window.

“Fine, we do it the hard way,” he grunts as he fiddles with the window lock.

I’m writhing in his arms, yelling out for help, hoping someone will hear. But exam room three is all the way at the end of the hall and a siren is wailing in the ambulance bay. Besides, there’s always some kind of yelling going on it the ER. It’s not a quiet place.

He gets the window open amid hissing at me to shut up and then he somehow manages to squeeze both of us through the window and onto a patch of sidewalk.

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