Page 25 of Wildcard's Wager

“What’s wrong? Your shoulder? Maybe you should roll onto your back?” I try pushing him off me, but he just snuggles me in closer.

“My shoulder is fine. The pain is manageable. There is something I need to tell you. I’m not sure how you’re going to take it. But I need you to know that I love you. That I did what I could.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: WILDCARD

I watch Brigit brace. She’s still looking at me with love and trust in her eyes. I turn away before I see doubt and anger cloud her feelings.

“We had a club meeting. I can’t give you the specifics, but we decided about your father’s punishment. Puma and Chill executed it. He’s alive, but he’ll be hurting for a few days.”

“They beat him up?” Brigit asks in a choked whisper. “He’s an old man… He can’t take a beating. My god…” she starts to rise, but I place a hand on her arm to still her.

“They didn’t beat him. That was never on the table. You’re right, he’s an old man. Puma would never have agreed to that. He wouldn’t risk killing him. You’ve seen Puma. A single hit with his massive paws could kill a man. It was never our plan to kill Preacher. I promise.”

“So, what did they do to him?”

“The club has a long-standing tradition of how we punish club members who have broken trust with the club. It’s a way of delivering a reminder that leaves a lasting impression. A deterrent to keep the member from screwing up again.”

“Okay, I can see that. Will you just tell me and stop trying to soften the news? My imagination is coming up with scenariosthat include everything from cutting off a finger to removing an eye.”

“Okay, nothing that bad. Puma branded him.”

“Branded him?” Brigit shrieks, jumping to her feet. “Like he’s cattle? That’s barbaric!” Grabbing her jeans, she shoves her legs inside and glares at me. “I can’t believe this. He’s an old man! He could have had a heart attack. Take me to him right now!”

I stand and get dressed, shook, because I hadn’t considered the possibility of a heart attack. I’ve never been on the receiving end of the brand, but I’ve seen Chill use heated metal during her torture sessions. The screams ripped from her victims chills the blood. Unlike Chill, Puma didn’t let the brand linger on Preacher’s skin. The application was quick.

I lead her down the hall to the infirmary. She walks stiffly next to me. Her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. When I hear her sniffle, I want to stop and take her into my arms to comfort her. But I know she won’t let me. Maybe telling her wasn’t the best idea. I may be male of the species and less inclined to talk, but even I know the fallout would be astronomical if I didn’t tell her, and she learned of it on her own. Because, really, this is a secret that wouldn’t remain a secret.

When we reach the infirmary, she lets out a sob and rushes inside. Her dad’s laying in a hospital bed with a bandage on his chest. He’s pale, but I don’t think he’s in much pain. An IV hangs from a hook, feeding into him. Knowing Splint, he added some powerful pain relief to the mix. Likely on Puma’s orders. Extending the suffering isn’t necessary.

“What did they do to you?” Brigit cries, placing her hand on her father, careful to avoid the bandage. “We need to get you to a hospital.”

“No,” Splint, Preacher, and I say in unison.

Brigit glares at me. “He needs a doctor.”

“I’m a medic. I’ve dealt with worse wounds. He’s fine. He just needs to keep the wound clean and air it out for a few hours each day. I’ve placed an antibacterial gel on it with a numbing agent. He’s also getting small doses of morphine to help him cope with the pain.”

“You think I trust you? You did this to him!”

“Brigit, enough,” Preacher grunts. “Go. Let me talk to her.” He dismisses Splint and me. Splint nods and ducks into his office. I linger long enough to get a glare from Brigit. Preacher waves me off. “I’ll take care of it.”

I don’t want to leave, but I know staying won’t make the situation better. It will probably only make it worse. I make my way to Puma’s office and knock on his door. Once he calls for me to come in, I open it and step inside to find him alone behind his desk. Papers cover his desk and I realize he’s looking at floor plans.

“For your house?”

“Yeah, the final set. I’m looking through them before I show them to Alisa. She and the kids should be back from Desdemona’s soon.” He rolls them up and slides a rubber band around the roll.

“You can keep looking. I can wait.”

“I’m done. They look good. Can’t wait to see them start on the construction. Have you considered building a home, now that Colt and Brigit are in your life?”

“Maybe. That depends on whether she forgives me after we branded her dad.”

“You didn’t do it, I did it.”

“You think that matters? She’s pissed off. She’s with Preacher now. He said he’ll talk her down. So we’ll see if he can do it.”

“He will. He took the brand like a champ. Granted, I took it easy on him. Didn’t want him to stroke out on me. It’s enough.The others will accept him back into the club with no hard feelings. Right?”

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