“No the fuck he ain’t,” Mr. Caldwell barked, pulling a gun from underneath his cut. He walked to Stein, whose gaze now held panic and fear.
“No, Outlaw!” Cam snapped in chilling tones.
“Outlaw, please!” Stein sobbed.
“Put your weapon down, Outlaw,” Cam ordered again.
“We don’t handle our business as you do,” Knox put in.
To no avail.
“Fuck the fuck off, motherfuckers,” the club president ordered. Stein had wriggled on the sofa, sliding to the floor. Disgust darkening his face, Mr. Caldwell shoved the gun to Stein’s head. “Doc, close your fuckin’ eyes,” he ordered.
Jordan gasped and wheeled to the wall, protecting her screaming child as best she could. The report of Mr. Caldwell’s gun sounded like a crack of thunder in the sudden stillness. Swallowing, Jordan turned again, horrified at the carnage before her, some of which she’d caused. She clutched Ava tighter.
Gun disappearing back into his cut, Mr. Caldwell took the cigarette from his mouth and pinched the ends before stuffing that into his pocket, too. He went to Stein, dug in his pockets and came up with a cell phone, then did the same with Silton.
“Yo’, Stretch. My ass thinkin’ these the fuckin’ phones with the incriminatin’ evidence.” Mr. Caldwell tossed the phone to Stretch. “They got the motherfuckers locked. Get into them and lemme fuckin’ know if we gotta search their motherfuckin’ house.”
“Fucking fuck!” Cam snarled, sounding angrier than Jordan had ever heard him.
“Get these two motherfuckers the fuck outta here,” Mr. Caldwell said to no one in particular, nodding to Stein and Silton.
“Cam needs to get to the hospital,” Knox announced.
“The fuck I do!” Cam spat. “I need to see to Jordan and Ava.”
That snapped Jordan out of her stupor. She glanced at Cam’s torn and bloody shirt. “You’re injured.”
He was also pissed. Stalking to Mr. Caldwell, Cam faced the big biker. She hadn’t realized it before but Cam wasn’t much shorter than Mr. Caldwell.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” Cam demanded. “I had the fucking situation under control. Stein needed to go to fucking jail for what he put my woman through.”
Jordan swallowed at the possessiveness in Cam’s tone.
The club president narrowed his eyes. ‘First of fuckin’ all, step the fuck back before I fuck your motherfuckin’ ass up. Second of fuckin’ all, ain’t needin’ no fuckin’ badges here, assfuck. Third of fuckin’ all, in your world motherfucker needed fuckin’ prison. In mine, he needed fuckin’ up. If it make you feel fuckin’ better, I fucked the motherfucker up for thinkin’ he was gonna fuck with me and take me the fuck away from Megan.”
Cam growled in frustration, but turned away from the biker, who walked to Jordan, knelt, and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Mort, escort Knox to wherever he wanna take Baptiste. We ain’t havin’ no fuckin’ badges on scene for no fuckin’ reason. Val, Cash, get the tarps then get these two dead fucks in the van.”
Knox was talking to Cam, who was facing her, fury in every lineament of his body. She knew—could guess—how he felt. Cam was one of the good guys, who believed in the system.
She did, too, but right now…Ava was safe. She was safe.
As if he heard her thoughts, Mr. Caldwell glanced at her from under eyelashes that were preposterously thick for a man. “You safe, doc. Your girl safe. Your man’ll get over what the fuck I done. The shit had to be fuckin’ done. Ain’t meanin’ Baptiste gotta like it.”
“I know,” Jordan managed. “Thank you.” She found herself sliding down until the floor met her. She kissed Ava’s face. As if the baby could sense what was happening, she finally settled down, her little chest heaving with a few last sobs, and her fist clenched around Jordan’s shirt.
“My ass so fuckin’ sorry I fucked that motherfucker up in your fuckin’ crib, but Baptiste had already—”
Killed a man. Jordan shook her head, feeling a little wild inside. “I-I-I k-killed h-him,” she stammered, her heart pounding. “I-I-I h-had t-to…” Did she really?
The biker frowned. “What the fuck you mean? You killed him? Motherfuckin’ Baptiste ain’t fucked him up?”
Jordan shook her head.
A look of disapproval crossed Mr. Caldwell’s face. “Yo’, Cash. Change of fuckin’ plans. I wantcha to go blow the fuck outta Knox and Cameron office. Motherfuckers don’t need it cuz they fuckin’ shit at bein’ PI’s.”
“Being a private investigator has nothing to do with fighting armed men,” Knox snapped.
“Maybe fuckin’ not, assfuck,” Mr. Caldwell agreed. “But you two motherfuckers former badges, that mean you should fuckin’ know how the fuck to fight armed motherfuckers.”
“You really want me to blow up the office building?” Cash asked.
“No!” Jordan cried as Ava started whining again. “Please, don’t. Cam had everything under control.”
“We gonna hold off for now,” Mr. Caldwell reassured her, plucking Ava from her arms and standing.
“Give me my baby!”
“Doc, I ain’t gonna hurt your girl. Just take some deep fuckin’ breaths while I calm her.”
Without waiting for her, Outlaw turned, cradling Ava in his arms and crooning to her. The cold-blooded killer had morphed into the tender protector, calming the baby down within moments.
Cam came to her, pulled her to her feet and took her in his arms, slanting his mouth over hers. Standing on tiptoe, Jordan hugged him with everything in her, not caring he was smearing her with his blood.
“You need a doctor,” she said when their kiss ended.
“She’s right, Cookie,” Knox called.
“I don’t want to leave you,” Cam said huskily. “What I have are defensive wounds on my arms, hands, and one shoulder. Nothing serious.”
She kissed him again. “Please, get it seen to. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Cam grinned at her. “Fine, doc.” He looked at Knox. “You’re driving me.”
“Of course, I am,” Knox responded with indignation.
After brushing his lips over hers a final time, Cam led Knox out of the house.
“Doc.” Once Cam and Knox were gone, Digger walked over to her. “You just had your kid and now you going through this intense shit. I don’t know where the fuck Knox taking Cam but let us take you to Hortensia General for a check-up.”
“Ava needs it more than me,” she said.
“Roxanne on the way,” Mr. Caldwell told her, returning the baby to her. “Let her take both you and your girl, while we see to every-fuckin-thing else.”
“But Cam—”
“Doc,” Stretch started, flanking her other side. “Cam’s fine. He’ll be patched up and at your side in no time.”
“Yeah, babe, fuckin’ a motherfucker up ain’t easy. Get you and your girl checked out, and take the fuckin’ night to wrap your head a-fuckin-round the fuckin’ fact you ain’t had a choice.”
She drew in a deep, calming breath, reminding herself these people were like family to her. She didn’t have to go through this alone. She had people to rely on. “Okay,” she whispered. “Would you mind calling Viola, too?”
Mr. Caldwell smiled at her. “Whatever the fuck you gotta have, babe, it’s yours. You saved my Megan life and that ain’t somethin’ I’m ever fuckin’ forgettin’. Don’t fuckin’ worry, doc. You ain’t alone. We got this.”
Jordan nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Caldwell,” she said softly, both touched and humbled.
She’d follow his advice, get her and Ava checked out, and then be there for whatever Cam needed.
Wondering where Jordan was, Cam took his discharge instructions from the nurse after signing his release. Just as he said, his wounds were superficial, so they stitched him up, placed his arm in a sling, and allowed him to leave. He was groggy from the pain medication, but he didn’t care. He needed to see Jordan.
In the waiting room, he f
ound Knox pacing. The man paused upon sight of Cam and widened his eyes. “What are you doing out here?”
“Leaving. Didn’t someone come out and talk to you?”
“Damn it, no!”
“I’m here now,” he said flatly. “Take me to Jordan and Ava. Now.”
Knox lifted a brow. “Ava? Really? Are you the daddy now?”
“Now, forever, and always, so shut the fuck up, asshole. Get me to Jordan’s place.”
“Roxy picked her and Ava up and took them to the hospital to be checked out.”
“What!”
“Relax. Ava’s fine. Roxy took her home. Jordan was admitted for overnight observation. She is still recovering from surgery.”
Cam turned toward the hallway that led to the elevators. “What floor is she on?”
“She isn’t at this hospital,” Knox began. “They have Jordan at the hospital that’s in their back pocket and they removed the bodies of those two men. Before I take you to her, I can drive you to the station so you can give a formal statement.”
Cam had had several hours to think about this. While he didn’t approve of Outlaw’s methods, he decided the club president was right not to involve the police. “No.”
Knox halted on the driver’s side of his car. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me. If Jordan wants to file a report, we’ll do it then. She shot them. She has patients who—”
“She killed one of them in a clear case of self-defense,” Knox reminded him. “You know the other guy was alive, until Outlaw took the law in his hands and blew his brains out.”
Cam thrived on being on the right side of the law. In this case, however, lines had blurred. They’d terrorized Jordan and threatened Ava. “We’re not filing a fucking report, Wafer.”
Knox stiffened, but saw Cam’s determination. “Fine,” he said with displeasure. “I’ll take you to Jordan.”
Neither of them spoke on the drive from Portland to Hortensia. When they arrived at the hospital, at least a dozen bikes were in the parking lot. The side entrances were locked, so Cam and Knox went to the front. In the lobby, Cam recognized the Probate named Potter and another man he didn’t know.
They nodded, acknowledging their approval to allow Cam and Knox through. Cam couldn’t help but wonder about visitors for the other patients.
“She’s on the fourth floor,” Potter called.
“Thanks,” Cam returned.
When the elevator stopped on floor number four and the doors slid open, two more bikers greeted them. One of them nodded to the other and Cam and Knox were allowed to step out.
“Room number?” Cam asked no one in particular.
“405.” He pointed to the left. “That way.”
Six bikers crowded the small waiting room. As Cam and Knox passed them, they all stared but allowed them to continue to Jordan’s door, where two additional bikers were posted.
“Christ!” Knox muttered. He sidled a glance at Cam. “It seems she’s more involved in the club then she hinted at.”
“Shut the fuck up, Knox,” Cam snapped. “Roxy’s the mother hen at the club and that hasn’t deterred you.” He looked at one of the bikers who still blocked the door. “Are you going to let me in or not?”
“Name?”
“This is ridiculous,” Knox spat. “Do you know who I am?”
“Don’t give a fuck,” the man returned. “Prez say guard this bitch’s door. Only a few people can get in. If your name’s not on the list, you’re not crossing the sill of this door.”
“You think not?” Knox demanded.
Hand going to his side, the biker straightened. “I know not. You give me a name or you get the fuck.”
Face reddening, Knox opened his mouth to speak.
“I’m Cameron Baptiste,” Cam interrupted. “This is Knox Harrington.”
“Roxy’s boyfriend,” Knox stated coolly. “She’s your enforcer’s mother-in-law.”
“Everybody know who Roxanne is,” the biker said.
“Then you should know me. We’re always together.”
“I still don’t give a fuck. Know why? Because I don’t know you and I don’t care to know. You could be dating Prez’s mama, for all I care.” He made the sign of the cross. “May she rest in peace.” He cleared his throat. “If your name’s not on my list, you’re not going in that room.”
“Are we on the list or not?” Cam asked impatiently, ready to call Outlaw and demand entry into Jordan’s room.
“As a matter of fact, your names are on the list.” The two bikers parted, allowing a clear path to the door. The one who’d been doing all the talking made a lavish flourish. “You may enter.”
Cam shook his head so Knox wouldn’t comment. Upon entering, Cam stopped so abruptly, Knox ran into him. Seeing Outlaw sitting in a chair next to Jordan’s bed, as she slept, shocked Cam.
“Glad to see you up and walkin’ the fuck around, motherfucker,” the biker greeted.
“What are you doing here?” Cam asked, going to the other side of Jordan’s bed, while Knox stopped at the foot.
“Watchin’ over your woman. What the fuck you think my ass doin’ here?”
“I mean why are you doing it? I would think you’d have someone else do it.”
“Doc Will my responsibility, assfuck. She take care of my girl, so I take care of her.”
“Jordan’s my responsibility,” Cam said tightly.
Outlaw cocked his head to the side, then stood. “Yeah, about that shit. I’ma give you two motherfuckers one fuckin’ more chance to act like you have fuckin’ brains and fuckin’ instinct.” He pointed to Knox. “Your motherfuckin’ ass almost got Roxanne killed cuz you ain’t able to investi-fuckin-gate a fuckin’ fly on a pile of fuckin’ shit.”
Knox stiffened, but didn’t say a word. He still needed to have his nose and two teeth repaired from the last time he’d had a run-in with Outlaw.
The biker focused on Cam. “You, motherfucker, maybe got a little more fuckin’ sense. Ain’t much, but it’s there. Even if you ain’t found out much about them two motherfuckers, you showed you had fuckin’ balls and tried to fuckin’ protect her. You was willin’ to die to keep her and her girl safe. Still, all the fuck you needed to do was ask my fuckin’ ass to get a fuckin’ bead out on them and I woulda. I was headin’ to their fuckin’ crib when Roxanne called my ass to tell me to get to doc house. If you don’t want me to blow the fuck outta your offices, you call my fuckin’ ass when you need fuckin’ help protectin’ Roxanne and doc. They love you two motherfuckers. If you ain’t got the fuckin’ sense to get the fuck outta a business you don’t know how the fuck to handle, then I’ma fuckin’ help you the fuck out and get rid of the shit for you.”
“Roxanne’s mine,” Knox said. “It’s up to me to protect her.”
“Listen up, Knox. I’m just startin’ to warm up to your fuckin’ preppy ass. Don’t fuck it up with dumb shit. If it’s left between savin’ Roxanne or your dumb ass savin’ face, she gettin’ saved. You wanna make her think you the hero, I ain’t givin’ much of a fuck. You ain’t gotta mention my fuckin’ name.” He looked at Cam. “Tell doc while you was findin’ a way in, you called us the fuck up cuz you wanted fuckin’ back up to get her and her girl to safety.”
Point taken. It didn’t matter who’d saved the day, as long as they’d all survived.
Jordan groaned and shifted her weight, opening her eyes. She blinked. Cam saw the exact moment awareness seeped in. She tried to sit up. “Ava!”
“She with Roxanne and Viola, babe,” Outlaw answered. “Dontcha remember?”
She thought for a moment then nodded and offered Cam a groggy smile. “Hey.”
“You did fuckin’ good, Baptiste,” Outlaw inserted before Cam responded. “Interruptin’ that motherfucker feed and shit. I thought doc place was bugged to fuck, but I fuckin’ couldn’t figure the shit out.” He reached his hand across the bed. “Doc important to my fuckin’ family, so I fuckin’ appreciate you callin’ my a
ss to use as backup, then runnin’ head-on into danger to save her.”
Accepting Outlaw’s hand, Cam smiled. “Anytime. Thank you.”
“Ain’t nothin’ but a thing.” He looked at Knox and nodded to the door. “We gettin’ the fuck so doc and her motherfucker can talk.”
Knox huffed out at breath, glared at Outlaw, then stalked out.
“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell,” Jordan called as the man reached the door.
He grunted a response and walked out.
Cam went around and dropped into the seat Outlaw had occupied, sliding closer to the bed. He took Jordan’s hand and kissed it.
“I killed Silton,” she announced and glanced away. “I killed a man, Cam. Have you ever?”
“Killed a man?” he asked, to be sure.
“Yes.”
“No.” Cam kissed her hand again, hating the torture on her face. He searched for a way to ease her. “If you had it to do over again, would you? Or would you forfeit your own life to save a violent motherfucker? Ava would be at their mercy.”
She turned a fierce look on him. “I would do it a thousand times if it meant saving my child.”
“I know. You did what you had to do. Those two chose to terrorize you. You decided to live.” He rubbed the back of her hand against his cheek. “I want to spend eternity showing you how grateful I am.”
Jordan smiled. “I wouldn’t mind that at all, Cam.”
Contentment settled into him and Cam knew there was no other woman for him than the brave and beautiful, Dr. Jordan Will.
Cam glanced around his apartment one, final time. Everything had to be in place for when Jordan arrived. Two taper candles sat on the small dining room table, with a huge bouquet of flowers in the middle. He’d had to call Knox’s mom to borrow one of her sets of fine china, silverware, and crystal glasses. As a bachelor, he didn’t possess any of the above items, so he was grateful that the Harringtons viewed him as a second son.
All systems were go in the dining room, too, so he hurried to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Steaks were still marinating. The salad was prepared. Seeing nothing had changed, Cam closed the refrigerator door and turned to the other food. The rice pilaf remained in a covered dish on the counter of his economy sized kitchen. Their dessert, chocolate mini bundt cakes with a truffle center, hadn’t moved. Remembering the champagne, he yanked open the refrigerator again, finding the two bottles right where he’d left them.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 422