Page 21 of Blade
“I understand and I do too. But we’re no good to anyone if we’re dead. We’re all exhausted. I reached out and my family sent several hawks to watch over the compound. The women and others will be safe until we get there.” Raptor paused and blew out a harsh breath. “I know damn well we all need gas. Let’s stop up the road to fill up. Blade, let Gator take care of your leg, then get some fucking pants on—you stick out like a sore thumb.”
I knew he was right, but the longer I was away from Eliska, the more anxious I got. Maybe I was fucking up, but this was an eye-opening event. Life was fucking short and fragile. Maybe she deserved much better than me, but I was gonna claim her.
A small sinister part of me whispered that I was going to destroy her, but I ruthlessly shoved it away.
Rage bubbled and burned through my veins. The need to punish whoever had done this was overwhelming. Not only did I want them to pay with their own lives, I wanted to make them suffer.
Sometimes I wondered where I’d gone so wrong that I derived the greatest pleasure from making people who hurt those I love suffer. Like was that the only way I could show love? By destroying the people who hurt them?
“We’re about three hours from Central Texas. I’m gonna reach out to Ripper to see if we can crash there tonight, then we’ll get up and leave early in the morning,” Raptor explained as his thumbs flew over the screen of his phone.
Gator doctored me up, then I grabbed a clean pair of jeans from my bike. Unconcerned with who might be passing by, I removed my boots, then dropped the ruined pair and redressed. I rolled the dirty ones up and shoved them in the saddlebag. I wasn’t about to leave any of my DNA behind if I could help it.
“Let’s go,” Gator called out as he walked back to his bike.
We all traveled together to the nearest gas station where we filled up and grabbed some caffeine. In less than twenty minutes we were back on the road.
It was late when we arrived at the Central Texas chapter’s clubhouse. Yet Ripper and Powerhouse were waiting for us as we cut our engines and climbed off. My leg was killing me, and I winced as I climbed off.
“I’m real sorry to hear about Ankeny,” Ripper solemnly said.
My teeth were grinding together as I clenched my jaw. It was the only way I could stop from having an uncharacteristic outburst. I was normally calm, cool, and collected. Despite the loss of my brothers being traumatizing, ever since Eliska showed up, it was like I was coming apart at the seams—changing.
I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.
“We have the rooms ready for you, but a couple of you will need to bunk up on the couches,” Powerhouse informed us as we made our way toward the entrance of their clubhouse.
“No problem. Ares and I can sleep on the couches. Blade, you probably need to rest that leg,” Phoenix warned.
A grunt escaped me when I put weight on said leg again.
“Baker can probably hook you up with whatever you prefer to help with that pain. The fucker is always lacing the damn food with weed, so I’m sure he has some brownies or somethingaround,” Ripper offered. “He’s inside watching some damn cooking show as he’s eating something he probably laced.”
“A joint would be nice,” I muttered. “Thanks.”
“Any time,” Ripper replied. We followed him inside.
As he’d said, Baker was indeed watching a cooking show and munching on a big, thick brownie. He looked up as we came through the door.
“Baker! You got any joints on you?” Powerhouse called out. The old guy grinned.
“Now, you know damn well I do.” He reached into the inside pocket of his worn cut and pulled out a baggie full of wrapped joints. “Pays to be prepared,” he went on as he chuckled.
I hobbled over and plopped down next to him. “Fuuuuuuck,” I groaned.
He tossed me the bag with a grin. It deepened the already prominent lines on his weathered face. “Help yourself.”
“Much obliged,” I returned as I removed one, held it between my lips, then zipped the bag closed again. He held out his lighter with the flame at the ready and I leaned over to light it.
After a deep drag, I held it in for a second, then exhaled. Though I was an avid smoker, I coughed at the strength of it.
“That’s some good shit, ain’t it?” he asked with a wink.
I used the side of my fist to beat on my chest. “You aren’t lying,” I agreed before taking another hit and started another fit of coughing. The effects were already starting to hit me. As I rapidly chilled the fuck out, I glanced at Powerhouse.
“Thanks for that last win, brother. You made me a pretty penny,” I told him.
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “You bet on me?”