Page 9 of Azrael

The road curved around a wooded area, and then the club’s compound came into view -- a collection of buildings and homes surrounded by a high fence topped with razor wire.Security lights mounted on tall poles cast harsh white light over the lot where several bikes and trucks were parked despite the late hour.

The main gate was closed, but a figure emerged from the guard shack as we approached.One of our Prospects, a young kid called Ash, watched us.He recognized my bike immediately and hurried to open the gate, his eyes widening as he noted the woman clinging to my back.

I rode through without stopping to explain, heading straight for my house at the far end of the compound.As I pulled up into the driveway and stopped in front of the porch, Zara stirred against my back.

“We’re here,” I said, cutting the engine.The sudden silence was heavy around us, broken only by the distant sound of thunder and the steady drip of water from the eaves.

I dismounted first, then turned to help Zara.She tried to swing her leg over the bike but faltered, nearly falling before I caught her around the waist.

“Easy,” I murmured, supporting most of her weight as her feet touched the ground.

She looked up at my face.“I’m not usually this helpless,” she said, a note of defiance in her tired voice.

“I know,” I responded simply, because I did know.I’d seen how she’d faced those men in the alley, seen the fire in her eyes even when she was on her knees.This woman was a fighter, not a victim.The fact that she was allowing me to help her at all spoke volumes about how bad she must be feeling.I’d met her type before.They didn’t accept help easily.

I guided her up the three steps to my front door, unlocked it, and ushered her inside, flipping on lights as we went.The house wasn’t much -- living room, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms -- but it was clean and secure.Right now, that was all that mattered.

“Sit,” I instructed, steering her toward the couch.She sank onto it gratefully, her gaze already scanning the room, taking in the sparse furnishings and the exits.Always assessing, always planning.I was beginning to like this woman.

“I’ll call Doc,” I said, reaching for my phone.“He’ll fix up that arm properly.”

Zara nodded, letting her head fall back against the couch cushions.In the harsh overhead light, I could see the full extent of her injuries -- the bruise at her temple had darkened, her lip was split at the corner, and there were defensive marks on her hands.

“Thank you,” she said, her gaze meeting mine with unexpected intensity.“For what you did back there.For bringing me here.”

I shrugged uncomfortably.Gratitude always made me uneasy.“You said you’ve been looking for me.Well, now you’ve found me.Once we get you fixed up, you can tell me exactly why you think I can help find your mother.”

She held my gaze steadily.“I don’t think you can help.I know you can.”

“Rest,” I said, heading for the bathroom to get the first aid kit.“We’ve got a lot to talk about, but it can wait until that arm is taken care of.”

Zara closed her eyes briefly, her hand clutching the edge of my jacket around her.“It’s waited this long.I suppose it can wait a little longer.”

I paused in the doorway, looking back at her -- this strange, fierce woman who’d appeared in my life out of nowhere.I had a feeling that nothing would be the same after tonight.Whether that was good or bad remained to be seen.

Chapter Three

Zara

He hadn’t yet asked the details I’d heard about him, or why I’d come to this town, certain I’d find him.I knew he had to have questions, but so far, he seemed more interested in making sure I was okay.It only proved to me I’d made the right choice to come here.I hadn’t met anyone like him before.

Truth be told, a lot of women had heard about Azrael.Even though I lived several hours from the Devil’s Boneyard territory, I’d heard whispers about him.When the police hadn’t seemed interested in doing their job and finding my mom, I’d known I had to at least try to reach out to him.He’d been my only hope of ever seeing my mother again.I had no way of knowing if she remained in Florida, or if her abductors had taken her elsewhere.

Of course, I hadn’t counted on getting jumped and dragged into that alley tonight.It had worked out in the end, but he’d been right when he said I could have died.I’d done my best to sound and appear tough.Honestly, I’d been terrified until he’d shown up.I’d caught sight of the name on his cut, and I’d known he would help me.It had given me the courage I needed.

Being in his home didn’t make me as nervous as it should have.I was alone with a man I’d never met before, one who was part of a motorcycle club.From what I’d heard, while his club didn’t harm innocent people, there had been a time when things were different.Of course, everything I thought I knew was based on rumors.The truth could be vastly different.But desperate times called for desperate measures… and I was as desperate as a daughter could get.My mother was the only family I had left, at least out of the ones I knew.I’d never met her family.She’d been born in Egypt, but she’d once told me her family was from Israel.

Azrael had stepped away a few minutes ago to call the man he’d referred to as Doc, then moved me to the kitchen table.Better light for Doc, he’d said.When he’d gone to answer the knock at the door, I’d assumed it was Doc.An older man entered the kitchen with Azrael, carrying a bag in his hand, like the type doctors used to carry for house calls.He gave me a kind smile and spoke softly to Azrael, low enough I couldn’t hear what they were talking about.

When he approached, I noticed he moved slowly.He eased down onto a chair next to me and assessed me with gentle eyes.“I hear you’ve had a rough night.”

I nodded.“Azrael thinks I need stitches.”

He pursed his lips.“Well, he should know.I’ve put him back together enough times.”

I glanced at the man who’d saved me and wondered how often he got hurt doing what he did.And yet, he’d likely heard me scream and come to save me just the same.Most people would have kept walking.Best case scenario, they might have called the police, but I’d never met anyone who would dare enter the alley to try to save a stranger.Until today.

“Let me take a look,” Doc said.I held out my arm and he unwrapped the bandana.His face remained blank, as if he hadn’t a care in the world.He’d either dealt with much worse, or he was doing his best not to show his emotions so I would remain calm.Either way, I appreciated his bedside manner.“It seems Azrael is correct.I think five or six should close it up.I can numb the area, but the injection is going to burn something awful.Nothing I can do about that.”

---