Page 77 of Maverick

He rushed over to us and started to pull at my sleeve. Orion turned and started to run deeper into the woods. We quickly followed him as he ran deeper and deeper. The forest started to become even thicker when he came upon a small shack.

It looked like it could fall apart any second. The door was wide open and hanging off its hinges. I ran over and burst into the tiny shack.

There in the corner huddled under a dingy motel blanket, was Willow. She was barely breathing, blood seeping from cuts all over her body, dried blood surrounding them.

I rushed over to her and picked her up in my arms. Goose came in behind me and rested his hand on my shoulder. “Lilah and Doc will take good care of her. It will be okay, Silas.”

Striker popped into the shack and looked around. His face softened when he saw Willow in my arms. “Doc and Lilah are already waiting. Let’s get her out of here.”

Goose and I stepped out of the shack and Joker came running over. “Oh, my sweet,Angelita.”

He ran his hand down her matted hair and I pulled her away. “I’ve got her. Let’s get her some help.”

Joker’s face turned angry and he got up in my face. “Relax. She’s like a baby sister to me. I love and care about her. She had a life before you.”

I growled and started to stalk back out of the forest. Orion stayed close to me as we came out into the parking lot. Erik/Thor was waiting with the truck already.

Joker opened the back door and I gently climbed in, careful not to move Willow too much. Orion hopped in and laid down on the floor. Joker climbed in the front seat and looked back at Willow.

“She didn’t deserve this. I could have done so much more to stop this nonsense.Joder!” He slammed his hand against the center console. “I should have just marched her right out of that room!”

I placed my hand on his shoulder as Erik/Thor started to drive. “You did what you could. Your plan to take over is more important because, without it, Willow will never be free.”

Joker nodded and gazed down at the lifeless Willow. I could hear Striker and Goose on their motorcycles behind us. I knew my other brothers wouldn’t be far behind.

Erik/Thor pulled into the parking lot and right up the Medical Center doors. Doc and Lilah wheeled a gurney out and Joker helped me out of the back of the truck. We gently placed her on the bed and they wheeled her away.

Joker and I followed them into the building when Lilah turned around and placed her hand on my chest. “You can’t come to the operating room with us, Mav. Mama and Bambi are in the waiting room with the boys. The rest of the club is already on its way. She’s in good hands, I promise.”

I ran my hands through my hair and nodded. Joker gave me a look of agreement and we both headed toward the small waiting room. Mama had Colton in her arms and he was fast asleep. Bambi was running around with Knox and it gave me a temporary distraction.

Knox came running up to me and wrapped his little arms around my legs. I scooped him up and kissed his head. “Hey, buddy! Are you being a nice boy to Miss Bambi?”

The little guy nodded his head and eyed Bambi. He smiled and started to giggle. Bambi laughed and walked over to us. “He’s always a good boy for me! Unlike his Uncle Goose...”

Goose shrugged from the waiting room chair and smirked. “I’m always a good boy too for Miss Bambi.”

Mama got up and tapped me on the arm. “Silas, is Willow going to be okay? I’m so worried about that girl.”

I wrapped her in a hug and kissed her on the top of the head. “She’s in good hands. Doc and Lilah are the best. We just have to keep thinking positive.”

She looked up and eyed Joker from across the room. “Are you going to introduce me to your new friend?”

“He’s not my friend. But yes, I will introduce you.” We walked over and I nodded my head in his direction. “Mama, this is Joker. Joker, this is my Mama.”

He extended his hand and took Mama’s in his. “Very nice to meet you, ma’am. I am so sorry about Willow. She’s a close friend of mine.”

Mama shook her head and wrapped him in a big hug. “Oh darlin’, I know you’re more than a close friend to her. She told me all about how you helped raise her. You’re her family.”

I could see his face fall and his eyes get teary. “Well, I didn’t do that great of a job. I couldn’t protect her.”

I sighed and put my hand on his shoulder. “Listen, man. Not your fault her mom and Snake are on the warpath. You did the best you could to raise her. Not easy to do when they are so close to your age and you’re trying to run a motorcycle club.”

Joker nodded and cleared his throat. “Thank you. That means a lot, Maverick. I can see why she loves you.”

Striker came over and patted me on the back. “When she comes out of this, you better fucking tell her how you feel, Brother.”

“I plan on it, Pres. I plan to tell her how much I love her and so much more.” I turned to Joker and took a deep breath. “I plan on asking Willow to marry me. Not right away, but after everything is settled. Since you are the closest thing she has to a father figure, I guess...well-”

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