Page 55 of Cautious

I turn to look at the other body on the floor and feel rage flood my veins like a drug, blurring the lines between right and wrong. I climb to my feet and prowl over to him, but I’m blocked by the biker who stopped the paramedics.

“I know what you’re thinking, but there are too many eyes in here.”

I look up at him, taking in his huge frame, light hair, and anger-filled eyes, and try to get a handle on my temper, knowing he’s right.

“And if that was your girl lying there?” I question, my voice so hoarse it doesn’t even sound like mine.

He grins at me, but it’s not a pretty sight. I’ve been to war, seen things I’ll never unsee, and yet that grin almost makes me want to take a step back and make the sign of the cross.

“People call me Priest for a reason,” he informs me, moving his head closer so his quiet words are only heard by me. “Anyone who crosses me or mine ends up needing their last rites given to them.” He slaps me on the back before stepping aside as two more paramedics come into the room, heading our way.

I move back over to Callie, who they now have up on a gurney, and grab her hand.

“I’ll be right behind you, baby.” I kiss the back of her hand and look up, finding her pretty eyes on me.

She mumbles something, but I shake my head.

“Shhh… don’t try to talk now. Let’s get you patched up first. You can yell at me later,” I tell her with her wink, chuckling when her eyes narrow at me.Yeah, my girl is gonna be okay.

I let the paramedics lead her outside to the ambulance as I follow behind them, spotting Felix at the door, his furious eyes on Callie as they take her to the ambulance.

“Sir, can you tell me what happened to this man here?” I turn my head. A young blond male cop questions Priest, who looks up at me and shrugs, tipping his head to me in agood luckgesture.

“We arrived just as he finished his brutal attack on that young lady out there, and then, I swear, it was the darndest thing,” he drawls, turning back to look at Christian, who is still on the floor with the paramedics working on him. “He seemed to lose his shit when he saw us and ran into the wall.Repeatedly. I really think he might have had some kind of psychological break.” He shakes his head as if that’s the saddest news he’s ever heard.

I have to look away and stifle a grin as more cops arrive on the scene. The energy in the room changes to one of wary hostility with the arrival of more cops, but I don’t have time to think about it. Spilling out into the parking lot, I see the bikers present have doubled in number too.

I move over to Felix as they load Callie into the back of the ambulance.

“They’re taking her to the hospital now. I have to go.”

“I’m coming with you,” he replies, daring me to argue.

“Hey guys, how’s she doing?” I turn at the sound of Tate’s voice.

“They’re taking her in now. I won’t know until then. I need a ride to the hospital,” I tell him, already knowing they won’t let me ride in the back with Callie.

“Yo, Raindrop,” he yells over his shoulder. “These boys need a ride to the hospital.”

I look behind me and see Reign detach herself from a dark-haired biker’s arm, where she has been wrapped up before she heads our way.

“Here,” she tosses me her keys with a smile. “I’ll have someone come and pick it up. Don’t scratch her,” she ordersbefore yanking Tate down so she can kiss her brother’s cheek before making her way back to the group behind her.

“Your sister is awesome,” Felix points out quietly.

“Yeah, I know. Just don’t tell her I said that.” Tate smiles. “They look ready to go.” He indicates the ambulance slowly backing out of the lot. “Go. I’ll stay here and smooth things over with the local PD. I’ll meet you at the hospital and see if I can find out what’s going on back home.”

“Thank you,” I say, and I mean it. “You ever need a favor, call me. I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”

He smiles at me then, with a look of calculation on his face. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

I just bet he will.

Callie

This time, when I wake up, I know exactly where I am, thanks to the smell of antiseptic in the air and the scratchy sheets beneath me. My face is on fire and my head feels like it’s going to explode, but I can hear Blake’s voice as he talks quietly to someone, and that’s enough of a balm to keep me from caring.

I open my eyes, wincing at the brightness of the room for a moment before they fix on Felix across the room. I see the moment he notices I’m awake as his eyes widen comically.

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