Page 47 of Unbreakable
"No, sweetheart. Stay." Lifting a finger to Grey. "Get Emerson a beer."
"You got it, Prez."
"Anyone know where the hell my father and brother went. I haven't seen their asses since we got back?" Logan grills. And come to think of it he's right. I have not seen either Demetri or Nikolai since we rolled back up at the clubhouse. I've been so focused on Grace; I haven't noticed their presence was missing.
"Haven't seen them, brother." Gabriel gruffs. "Victor is MIA too."
No sooner does Gabriel get those words out when the door to the clubhouse slams open and causes myself and my brothers to move into action. Pulling my piece from my cut, I swiftly shove Emerson behind me and point my gun at who just walked through my door. It takes but a second to realize it's Demetri, Nikolai, and Victor. All three look a little worse for wear. But that is not what has my hackles rising, and Logan rushing to his father's side is the fact that Demetri was shot.
"What the fuck happened to you?" I bark. "Emerson! We need you again."
"Jesus Christ! I might as well start my own practice because this club keeps me busier than the damn hospital." She smarts off rushing to Demetri side.
Looking relaxed as ever, Demetri replies. "It's just a flesh wound. No big deal. Besides, the end result was well worth it." he smirks.
"Hey, Jake? Anna wanted…" Glory starts to say walking into the room, then comes to a complete stop with the sight in front of her. "Is this sort of thing normal around here?" she gestures with a raised eyebrow to Demetri's bleeding arm.
"Is Grace alright?" I question.
"Yeah, yeah, she's fine. I'll just tell her you're a bit indisposed at the moment."
Before I have a chance to say more, Glory turns on her heal and leaves the room. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I shift my attention back to the scene in front of me. Demetri is now sitting on a stool by the bar and downs a shot of whiskey while Emerson takes a look at his wound. I take a moment to size up Nikolai as well. He doesn't appear to be hurt but gone is his standard attire of tattered jeans and work boots. Right now, Nikolai looks much like his father in his Armani suit and peeking out from the inside of his suit jacket is two pistols strapped to his holster.
"He's right." She says. "Just a simple flesh wound. It looks like the bullet only grazed his arm. He'll need a couple of stitches though. Let me get some supplies. I'll be right back."
"Now with that shit out of the way, you want to tell me where you, Nikolai and Victor have been the past twenty-four hours? And why after being MIA you suddenly show up here looking like shit?"
"As you all know, family means everything to me. I consider every one of you my family. I did what was necessary to protect my family." Demetri states. Straightening in his seat, Demetri's face and tone becoming more serious. "Son?" Demetri addresses Nikolai giving him a look. Nikolai then strides over to the edge of the room next to the hallway blocking the entrance. Now my senses are really on high alert.
"Victor." Demetri nods to his right hand who is standing guard at the front entrance. When Victor opens the door, another one of Demetri's men walk in with a man's body slumped over his shoulder. Making his way over to me, the man tosses the body to the floor in front of me with a thud. Laying on the floor at my feet is none-other than Ronan De Burca.
"I saved one for you, my friend." Demetri delivers.
Looking down at this pathetic excuse of a man a wicked smile takes over my face. "Who's up for a little retribution?"
"Hell, fuckin' yeah!" Quinn cheers and the rest of the men follow suit.
"Gabriel, take his ass down to the basement. I'll be down in a minute."
Stepping up to Demetri, I offer my hand. "I owe ya one, brother."
"No, you don't. This is what family does. We have each other's back. You and your club have accepted Nikolai and me into your fold, and you help me get my son back. It is me who owes you." He finishes shaking my hand.
Before I take care of business, I go to check on Grace since Glory never did finish telling me what she needed. When I walk into our room, I smile when I see her sitting up in bed and eating with Glory and Remi at her side.
"Can I have a minute alone with Grace?" I ask them.
"Sure." Glory agrees taking Remi's hand and leads her out of the room then shut the door behind them.
"Jake, is everything alright?"
"Yes, but I have something I need to tell you." Kneeling on the floor next to the bed, I take Grace's battered face in my hands and kiss her busted lips. "I love you, Little Bird."
"I love you too, Jake. Now tell me what's going on."
"I want you to know that it's over. You don't have to worry about the De Burcas' anymore."
"What exactly do you mean?" she exhales a shaky breath. "Can you be more specific?"
