“I’m not sure if you have heard anything about what is happening around the French Quarter area but man, every time I have dropped Eve off there it feels as if that area is being watched.” I say as I take a seat in one of the office chairs across the desk.
“You aren’t the only one who has brought that up, Trig. Rush said the same thing when him and Bridget went out the other night and so did Zeek. This is now something we can’t brush off. The cops wouldn’t know how to handle an attack if and when it happens.” Malik folds his hands together and rests them on the desk. I know at this point he means business.
“You think it’s wise for practically the whole club to go to Morgan City and leave the city unprotected.” I ask leaning forward and resting my elbows on my lap.
“The meeting with the Sinners has to happen. We need them to know that we aren’t the ones who are organizing the attacks amongst their people.” Malik argues.
“I understand that, brother. Just think about this for a minute. We are leaving prospects here to guard the city. They are still the weakest among us and if the city goes under attack, can we trust them to protect our city let alone our families.”
“And if we bail on this meeting, we might as well sign up for war. You know the Sinners, Trigger. You know that they are quick to jump to any conclusion, kill, and ask questions later.” I can tell Malik is getting impatient with this conversation.
“Well, at least keep a couple guys behind to stand guard. We can still go to Morgan City but at least here, our territory will be protected.” Malik contemplated this. He knew I that I was right.
“Fine. Rush, Zeek, and Nico stay. Those three are the strongest when we aren’t here, so I trust them to keep everything under control with the prospects. I need my VP and my Sgt. In Arms there with me, which means you and Seg. You’re my VP, Trigger. Don’t forget that because you met some girl.” Malik starts working on paperwork indicating the conversation has ended. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stay but at least these are guys I trust to not only protect the city but also my woman.
Eve
Fuck Cara. She can never finish a shift on her own. I mean she’s either late or calling me on my day off to go cover for her. What the fuck does she have to do that is so important that she can’t finish her shift? I know it means more money for me, but damn a full day off of work would be nice. I go back in to the workshop area and realize she hasn’t even started Bridget’s dress. Fuck me! She had plenty of time to get this done before tomorrow.
I set my stuff down, grab my phone, and open Pandora. From Ashes To New blares through the workshop area. I grab everything I need for me to work on the dress and realize I better throw Rush a text saying I’m going to be working late tonight.
Rush: How late?
I look at the clock and realize it’s three. I’m figuring six hours to get the dress done and steamed for tomorrow.
Me: Hopefully by 9.
Rush: I’ll be there at 830.
Me: Thank you
Rush: No prob
I go over to my work station, pull Bridget’s dress off the rack and start working. I was right on queue when I said the dress would take about 6 hours because when I glanced at my phone it was 8:25. I ran up front, locked the door, and shut the computer and printer down. I only had to steam the dress now and that only takes about 15 minutes. As I am walking to the back, I hear my phone ringing. By the time I got there I had missed the call. Rush showed on the caller ID. I hope he’s going to be on time tonight. I would really like to get home to Alec and relax for the night. I hit redial on my phone, put it on speaker, and set the phone back on the table so I could work and talk at the same time.
Rush answers after two rings. “Hey, you ever answer your phone?” Moody tonight, I think to myself.
“Sorry, I had to lock up. I didn’t realize it was this late. I’m almost done. Are you here?” I ask as I run the steamer down the dress.
“No, I’m caught in traffic. I should be there about 9:15.”
“Ok, no problem. I’ll just go across the street and get a drink across the street after I set the alarm.” I say as I finish up and start putting the dress back into its bag.
“No, you need to stay put. Trig doesn’t want you going anywhere until I get there.” Rush snaps at me. Who the fuck does he think he is? He doesn’t get to order me around like I’m a child.
“Well, you can inform Tony he doesn’t dictate what I do. I will be across the street getting a drink and if he has an issue with it, he can call me himself.” Men are so infuriating. I hate when they try to control what a woman does, been there, done that, and not doing it again.
Rush hung up the phone in a huff. I’ll be damned if I’m treated like some sort of dog. Trigger has another thing coming if he thinks he’s going to do it either. I put the dress back on the rack, at least that project is done for the week, and start gathering up my things. I turn off the lights to the workshop and the office then make my way up to the front to set the alarm. As I’m setting it, I hear a knock at the store door. It’s not even 9:15, Rush must have made it through the traffic early.
“Just a sec, setting the alarm.” I yell so he could hear me. I get the alarm set and turn off the lights. I have just enough light from the Exit sign above the door to make my way out. I unlock the door and the pain that radiated through my head felt as if I was hit with something hard. I stumble backwards and hit my head on the corner of the counter. I collapse to the ground seeing double with stars and then the nauseated feeling hit me.
I feel a massive amount of weight on top of me and a hand around my neck. “Where is he?” it’s a man’s voice, I think. It doesn’t sound human but that could be the static sound that I hear in my ears.
“Who?” I manage to ask. I feel a sharp pain to my face as I ask that question. What the fuck does this guy want?
“You know who!” he growls, almost yelling.
I can feel my eyes growing heavy. No Eve, you have to stay awake. You could have a concussion, I think to myself. I fight to stay awake but I can already tell that this is going to be a battle I would not win. Then I hear what sounds like a dog, I think I’m hallucinating. As I lose my battle with my consciousness, I see shadows, big shadows. I can’t see who it is but whoever it is sounds inhuman and pissed. OK, now I’m hallucinating. My body gives way to sleep as I see the big shadow crouch over me.
Trigger
I knew I should have said no to the run. Fuck! Rush called me about an hour ago and told me that there was a break in at the store; he had just gotten there in time to see Eve on the floor beaten, bloody, and bruised. Who the fuck breaks into a dress shop?
I’m still about forty-five minutes out of New Orleans, doing a buck-twenty down the high way. We were still on our way to Morgan City, at a rest stop, when Rush called and when I told Malik we all turned around. The run can wait, one of ours was just attacked. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep myself calm enough to make it through the night. I can feel the heat inside me taking over. Whoever did this just signed their fucking death warrant. Did we just get set up? Are the Sinner to blame for this? Questions will be answered one way or another.
I don’t even see the road; all I see is Eve and her smiling face. I’m hoping and praying she’s ok. Rush said the police arrived up shortly after he did. Apparently, the alarm never set like it was supposed to because the door didn’t close in time. This caused the alarm company to dispatch out the police and that’s when the paramedics were called and Rush was questioned.
“They took her to University Medical, brother. I’ll meet you there.” Rush said. That was over an hour ago and I still haven’t heard any news on how she is doing. I must have been running on auto pilot because I don’t even remember getting back to town let alone taking the exit to get to the hospital.
It’s after midnight when we pull into the hospital parking lot. We park our bikes and rush inside.
“Evelyn Bordeaux.” I say as I run up to the nurses’ stat
ion. The nurse at the desk is a short, stocky woman with short blonde hair and has the definition of bitch written all over her.
“I’m sorry, sir.” She says not even glancing up from her computer. “But only immediate family at this time.”
“Bullshit!” I yell, ready to climb over the counter. The brothers are holding me back with Malik in front of me. He slaps me and holds my face.
“Pull it together, brother.” He gives me a look of desperation. He knows it’s not going to take too much more before I let everything out. “You need to hold it together. You aren’t going to help Eve if you continue.
I calm myself just enough that I know I’m in control. “Where’s Rush?” I demand and pull out my phone. He must have heard the commotion because I see him running down the hallway in our direction.
Malik apologizes to the nurse and says everything is in control and that it won’t happen again. She’s got the phone to her ear, she must be calling security. As quick as she picked up the phone, she put it back down and returned to her work. Fuck! Malik knows better than to do that shit. The last thing we need is to be exposed, people here know we exist but it’s not something we advertise.
Everyone lets me go as Rush takes us back to the family waiting room. I need to know if Eve is ok and Rush is taking his sweet ol’ time telling me. When we get into the waiting room, Rush tells me to take a seat.
“Fuck you! You’re going to tell me how my girl is before I pummel your brains in.” I’m pissed. I’m tired of people telling me to calm down. That’s my woman everyone is taking their time telling me what’s going on. Someone better start talking.
“I’m not quite sure what happened, brother. I was late getting to Eve because of the traffic on the highway. When I got to the store, I saw someone on top of her. I jumped out of the truck and my instincts kicked in. I charged at the man who was on top of her and was able to pull him off of her. He had a great deal of strength though. Strength I have never seen before. When he ran off, I was going to chase him but seeing Eve on the ground not waking up, I focused on her until the cops got there.” I could see Rush trying to remember every detail. Downside to our instincts kicking in is we don’t remember everything, just fragments from what people would call a dream.
I give Rush a look like he better keep talking or shit will hit the fan. “They haven’t given much info about her, Trig. The whole privacy unless we are family bullshit. But they did say once she is out of surgery, they will come and get one of us to go sit with her.” He looks defeated. He knows he failed to do as I say. What person doesn’t give enough time to get somewhere without being late, especially in New Orleans?
I’m up in Rush’s face before he could blink. I’m pissed that he wasn’t there on time to pick Eve up, but I’m also grateful he was able to possibly save her life. “I’m telling you now, if anything happens to her on that table, I will kill you.”
Rush nods in understanding and adverts his eyes to the ground. He knows his days are numbered if Eve dies on that table. If she survives, I will thank him for saving her but right now I can’t even do that. He needs to know that he fucked up and because of that there will be consequences to his actions.
We are waiting for what feels like hours. I have been on the phone with Seg and our tech guy, Nico. I want those tapes pulled from everywhere in a three-block radius. Someone had to have picked up the break in or the chase from somewhere. Asking for witness is pointless since tourists are either drunk or turn the other cheek and know not to talk, even to us.
“Family for Evelyn Bordeaux.” I hear being called from the waiting room door. We all stand and walk toward the middle-aged man in the white coat. Good, a doctor.
“We are her family.” I announce. He needs to tell at least one of us something.
The doctor looks down at his iPad and starts scrolling. “Right, ok.” He says and takes a seat in the nearest chair. This man doesn’t show us any fear. Either he has dealt with the club before or he knows what attacked Eve. “Miss Evelyn is doing well and resting. She had several lacerations across her chest, a cracked skull, and some bruising. As a result of the skull being cracked, we did go in to relieve any pressure that was built up. She has a long road ahead of her when it comes to recovery. However, the lacerations across her chest are what baffle me.” He stands up and heads for the door. “Only two of you may come with me, but I would like to show you what I am talking about.” Malik and I immediately step forward.
“Lead the way, doc.” I say gesturing him out the door.
The three of us walk down the hall. It smells of death in this part of the hospital. Fuck, I hate that smell. It’s overwhelming and almost nauseating. We pass the ER nurses station and right across from there is room 206. That’s the room we go in.
The doctor closes the door, giving us more privacy. When he pulls the curtain that separates the door and the patient, my anger spikes again. There is my Eve, hooked up to a bunch of tubes and wires that are making the machines make a bunch of fucking noise. I go over to her and sit on the bed she is in and grab her hand. She looks weak and vulnerable. There is still blood in her hair, her beautiful skin is now stained with black and blue patches all over it and then I see it. The lacerations the doc was talking about. I could see them peeking out of her hospital gown.
I look at the doctor expecting some sort of explanation. “I know what you are thinking.” He says as he walks on the other side of the bed checking her tubing. “I can’t give you an explanation about those, but what I can tell you I have seen this before. It’s been about two years, but you never forget something so abnormal like this. To me, it looks like a rather large dog came after her. Not any dog I have seen before. Typically, I see dog bites but this it looks as if something tried to rip open her chest. Do you guys have any idea what this could be?”
Malik and I hold each other’s gaze. We both know what we are dealing with. The thing is we dealt with this problem and haven’t heard of any other attack in two years. We know we can’t tell the doctor, so we lie. “No doc, we haven’t seen anything like this before.”
I’m not sure if the doctor knows whether or not we are lying. But he stands up and reaches in a bag that says ‘Personals’. “Well before I hand this over to police, I wanted you to see this.” He holds up a plastic cylinder with a lid on it and inside is the remains of a claw. I take it from his hand and examine it further.
“This was in the wounds?” I ask as I look at Eve trying to get a gage on what the fuck happened?
“Yes, it was lodged just underneath her right breast.” Fuck! This changed things, drastically. I look at Malik and hand him the container so he could get a better look at it. His face tensed and the doctor noticed that right away.
“Look, I have a feeling you guys do know more than what you are telling me. I’m not going to ask any further questions about it. But I will say this, you need to take care of this. I know your Club has ways of finding things out.” At that statement, the doctor looks at Malik. All Malik can do is nod his head. “I can keep this quiet for a minute until you guys can figure out what attacked Miss. Evelyn. I will help her, if you help me figure out what this thing is and what it’s capable of.”
“Maurice.” That are the first word I have heard Malik say since we got in here. “How long can you keep this quiet?”
“Twenty-four hours max. After that it goes to the police. Sorry boys, but that’s the best I can do.” Maurice looks apologetic but there is more that both him and Malik aren’t saying, like how the fuck do they know each other.
“Understood.” Malik says and hands back the container to the doctor. Maurice puts the container in his coat pocket and begins to walk out the door. “Oh, and one more thing,” he turns around. “She can’t be left alone. No heavy lifting, no strenuous activities, bed rest for at least 3 weeks. She has a concussion with that head wound and it’ll only get worse if she pushes herself too hard.” Maurice turns and walks out the door leaving Malik and I there.
&nb
sp; I turn my attention to Eve. Fuck. This is bad. We aren’t the only ones in town anymore. Another club is trying to claim territory, which could mean war.
Malik clears his throat. “Trig.” He starts saying before I cut him off.
“How do you know the doctor?” I ask without even breaking my attention on Eve.
“It’s a long story, brother.” Malik says.
“Humor me.” I finally look at him, challenging him to tell me what the fuck just happened here.
“While doing a tour in Iraq in 2003, I was hit by an IED. He was an Army doc at the time and was the one that tended to my injuries. He was baffled at the fact that I walked out of it without missing limbs. When he asked what I was, I was so out of it that I ended up telling him the truth. I kept it a secret from everyone else but him. And in return he kept my secret if I handled all unexplained cases that walked through his doors. I don’t expect you to understand, I just need you to trust me. He’s on our team.”
I study Malik for a minute, I could see him flash back to war in his eyes. He had the same concentrated look when he is remembering times. I turn my attention back to Eve. What other secrets is Malik keeping from me? I’m his VP, I should have known about this little alliance. “Anything else I need to be aware of?” I snap at him. I don’t like secrets, but who am I to talk. I have secrets of my own and in due time they will come out but right now Eve is the one who needs the attention.
“Eventually brother, you will know everything.” Malik grasps my shoulder but he doesn’t look at me. After a few minutes of not saying anything, Malik turns and walks out the door leaving me there with Eve. I examine her a little better. The swelling on her face has over taken her features and the stitches I see under the gown are red around them. This doesn’t look good.
Trigger's Salvation: Hellfire Dogs MC #1 (Hellfire Dogs MC Series) Page 5