Page 22 of Grizzly's Pride
He believed it because according to rumor, Rat clawed his way to the top of the Black Dogs MC hierarchy through betrayal and bloodshed. King was right, though. Grizzly wouldn’t dismiss the fact this could all be a trap set up by both Rat and Rage.
The doors to the ER opened and a tired doctor emerged. Both Grizzly and King stood up. The doctor made her way to them. Grizzly barely processed most of her words. Worry gnawed at him
“Miss Ayers will make a full recovery.” The moment the doctor said those words, Grizzly let out a whoop. King grinned at him.
Piper was alive. For a moment there, Grizzly thought fate was cruel enough to take her away from him too. After grieving for Ariana and his boy for years, Grizzly didn’t think he could survive another loss again.
“Thanks, Doc,” King said, then looked at him. “So, what have you decided?”
“For now, I’m going to check on Piper. Remain by her bedside and make sure she’s doing okay,” Grizzly replied.
“After that?” King pressed.
****
Piper wove in and out of consciousness. She dreamed someone had shot her in the chest, then Grizzly cradling her broken in his arms. He said he wasn’t ready to let her go yet. Piper woke up, gasping. It hurt to breathe.
She looked down and saw she wore a hospital gown. Underneath that? Bandages covered her chest. She remembered taking a bullet for Grizzly. It wasn’t a dream, after all. The door to her room creaked open.
Grizzly entered, carrying two cups of coffee. Her protective biker looked worse for wear. Dark circles ringed his eyes. He looked like he spent the entire night at the hospital. Had Grizzly been waiting for her to wake up?
“You’re awake,” he said, voice full of emotion.
“I hope one coffee cup is for me.” She winced as she tried to sit up.
“Easy, baby. Getting shot in the chest is no joke.” Grizzly set the two cups on the bedside table and helped hersit up.
The simple movement left her breathless. Not wanting to appear weak, Piper snatched one of the take-out cups and took a sip. The black coffee woke her right up.
“I should call the doctor,” Grizzly said worriedly.
“Don’t. Maybe later, after we’ve talked. I want to know everything that happened after I fell unconscious.”
Grizzly then told her how he brought her to the hospital and about the slip of paper King gave him.
“You can’t possibly be thinking of going after Rage,” she whispered, fearful for him.
After his gunshot wound, Grizzly should be in bed, resting like her, not raring to go out on a hunt so soon. Grizzly approached the bed. She made some space for him so he could sit. He stroked her hair, then leaned down to give her a tender kiss on the mouth.
“Someone needs to put that animal down,” Grizzly told her.
“And it has to be you?” Piper asked. Silly question. She could see it in his eyes. Grizzly was determined to see this through, no matter what.
“Now’s the perfect opportunity,” Grizzly explained. “Rat practically offered Rage on a platter for me.”
“The President of the Black Dogs MC just wants you to do his job for him, and there’s no telling if this is a trap,” Piper said. She knew there was no changing Grizzly’s mind once he made a decision. She grasped his arm. “Look me in the eyes, Grizzly.”
He did. Piper took a breath and considered her next words. Asking him to stay with her seemed tempting, but Grizzly could handle himself. Both of them wanted this nightmare to be over.
“I want you to stay safe. Take backup, please? It would ease my worries,” she pleaded.
Grizzly seemed to consider her words, then he nodded. “All right, I’ll see if Tank’s available. We’ll be careful. I promise. If we sense it’s a trap, we’ll back off right away.”
Piper nodded, reassured by his words. Grizzly would outweigh the risks before engaging Rage.
The nurse entered the room with a tray of meds and food. Grizzly kissed the top of her head.
“Meanwhile,” he said, “I want you to rest up and recover. I won’t be leaving you alone. I’ll have one of my MC brothers keeping watch outside.”
