Chapter 21
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Kayla
It’s nearly midnight when we pull up to the gate at the Viking Warriors clubhouse. We only stopped once for gas and to grab some snacks. The tank is almost on empty, but I wanted to get here as fast as we could. And I admit, I’m worried about what happened in Kira’s apartment. I didn’t check to see if she really killed him or not.
Surprisingly, Hendrix is on duty at the guardhouse tonight. He hasn’t pulled guard duty that I know of in years. Instead of immediately opening the gate, he walks out to my car.
“Kayla.” He leans down and looks at Kira. She’s slouched down low like she’s trying to hide from the world.
“Hey, Ronin. We’re meeting Lily at the guesthouse.” I called Lily as we drove through town.
“Change of plans. Drive to the side entrance. Lily’s waiting for you in Mack’s office.” Hendrix taps a finger on my open window.
“Yeah. Got it. We’ll go to Mack’s office.”
Hendrix walks back to the guardhouse and opens the gate. Patches, one of the prospects, runs through and takes over. Hendrix walks behind the car through the gate. I wouldn’t have been able to drive around to the guesthouse if I wanted to. Jay’s standing in the parking lot. He motions for me to go to the lot where they bring the angels into the clubhouse.
“Kayla, what’s happening?” Kira twists around to look through the back window. Jay and Hendrix walk behind us until I park. “You said we were meeting your friend.”
“We are. She’s waiting for us in the President’s office.”
“Is this normal? Who are these men?” She watches Jay and Hendrix walk to the side door. It opens, and Worley steps out.
This isn’t normal. Well, maybe it is. I’ve never delivered an angel before.
“These men are trusted club members. They’re here to help us. I promise.” She’s my friend, but I’m not supposed to tell anyone about Ariel’s Angels. That’s Mack and Nanny’s job.
I should have texted Lily that I was bringing an angel when we stopped for gas. Kira has asked me about it at least ten times. When Mack and Nanny asked me to help with Ariel’s Angels, I promised to never talk about their secret organization with anyone outside the club. I hope my little slip tonight and bringing Kira here doesn’t break my promise.
Worley opens my door. All the Vikings give Kira space. They stay close, but not too close. “Kayla, welcome home. Lily’s waiting for you in Mack’s office. We’ll talk with your friend after.”
“Thanks, Worley.” I hurry around and open Kira’s door before she has a full-blown panic attack. She immediately latches onto my arm. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise.”
Jay stands next to the side door. “You’re safe here, angel,” he assures Kira and goes back to watching the parking lot.
Worley leads the way down the hall. He opens the door to Mack’s office and motions for us to enter. “Lily will let us know when you’re finished.”
Surprisingly, Lily’s alone in Mack’s office. She stands from one of the leather chairs on this side of the desk. A black doctor’s bag sits on the desk. That’s new. Lily used to be a nurse in LA. Hopefully, this is a sign she’s ready to step back into the medical field. Her skills and training are wasted working at the bakery.
“Kayla, who do we have here?” Lily smiles sweetly at Kira.
“This is my friend, Kira Mitchell. We were roommates in college.”
“I don’t understand, Kayla. This is all weird. I should go home.” Kira turns towards the door.
“No,” Lily and I say at the same time.
My eyes meet Lily’s, and I instantly know something more has happened.
“I don’t belong here. I shouldn’t have come,” Kira tries for the door again.
“You don’t belong in Knoxville, either.” Lily’s words cause Kira to pause at the door.
I walk over and gently place my hand over hers on the doorknob. “I know it’s all a little scary right now, but trust me. They can help. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I weren’t sure of it.”
“They helped me,” Lily speaks in a soft, even tone. She’s come a long way since meeting Jack. “And Kayla’s right. We can help you. You won’t have to go back to an abusive relationship.”
“How can you help?” Kira lets go of the doorknob.
“First, I’m going to treat your injuries and decide if you need to see a doctor. Then, we’ll talk about your situation with Jacob.”
Kira’s eyes bounce between Lily and me. “Who’s Jacob?”
“He’s in charge and will explain everything. If you decide you want our help, we’ll start your journey to a better life.” Lily motions to one of the leather chairs. “I’m a nurse. If you’ll sit and show me your injuries, I’ll take care of them.”
“Okay, but I don’t need a doctor.”
Wow. Lily’s starting to step into her role as the future Queen of this club. I’m so proud of her. Jack’s a good influence on her. He can be a bad one, too, but in a good way. Lily will never complain about that side of Jack. More than half the women in this town secretly have a crush on him. It warms my heart to see her so happy. She’s a woman in love and not ashamed to show it.
Kira sits on the edge of the chair. She lays her jacket on the seat and pushes up her sleeve. Lily moves a straight chair between Kira and the desk. She sits and pulls medical supplies from the black bag.
“I’m going to clean these marks and apply an ointment. It will help with the pain and the healing process. The skin is red, raised, and a little swollen. I have ice packs and some ibuprofen. It’ll also help with any pain you may have.” Lily follows the marks on Kira’s right arm. “These marks are…” She pauses and looks Kira in the eye.
“From a belt,” Kira replies softly to the unspoken question.
Lily goes back to treating the wounds. “Okay. Do you have marks or injuries in more places?”
“Um.” Kira glances at me. I slightly shake my head. Lily notices but remains quiet. “Maybe on my back. I’m not sure. He pushed me into the corner and took off his belt. I dropped to the floor and covered my head.”
A light knock comes on the door, startling Kira and me. Lily doesn’t flinch or look up.
“That should be Nanny,” Lily says.
I ease over and slightly open the door. Sure enough, it’s Jack’s mother.
“Hi, Kayla. May I come in?” She’s not really asking.
“Yes, ma’am.” I step aside and let her enter. Refusing the club’s Queen would get me kicked out and banned quickly.
Mack, Worley, Jack, Jay, and Hendrix line the wall, waiting to speak to Kira. I close the door when Coty walks around the corner. Of course, he’s here. Coty usually goes everywhere Jack does. Jack’s little journey around the country is why Coty left Willow Creek for two years.
“Hello, angel.” Nanny sits in the leather chair beside Kira. “I’m Evelyn. You can call me Nanny. Everyone else does. After Lily finishes, we’ll talk about your situation.”
Thankfully, most of Kira’s injuries are on her arms from where she blocked the blows. Lily had her remove her shirt to be sure they treated all her injuries. My heart broke when we saw the old bruises and marks on her back and ribs. I turned away and pressed my fingers to my mouth so Kira wouldn’t see me cry. Tonight wasn’t the first time he’s hurt her.
“How far along are you?” Lily asks as Kira puts her shirt back on.
Kira freezes and glances at me. I knew it. I asked several times, but she wouldn’t admit it.
“About seven or eight weeks.” Kira drops her head.
Lily presses her lips together and nods. She turns to Nanny. “I don’t sense any signs of distress, but she should probably have an ultrasound to make sure everything is okay.”
“Very well. We can arrange that.” Nanny takes Kira’s hand and lightly squeezes it. “We’re here to help you and your baby.”
Lily closes the doctor’s bag and rushes over to me. “I’m so glad you’re back.” Before I can stop her, she throws her arms around me.
I wince and cry out. “Oh, no,” I whisper.
“Kayla?” Nanny’s voice is full of concern.
“What happened?” Lily moves behind me and lifts my shirt.
“No, Lily. Stop.”
“No, ma’am.” Lily refuses to let go of my shirt.
“You should treat her, too,” Kira says. “She covered me so I could get out of the corner. He hit her several times before I grabbed the lamp.”
“What?” Nanny exclaims.
“Sit,” Lily orders.
I do as I’m told. Nanny and Lily gasp when they see the belt marks on my back. By their reaction, it must look bad. I know he hit me three times, maybe four.
“Things just changed.” Nanny rushes to the door.
“No. Don’t,” I cry.
“Oh, I most definitely am.” Nanny jerks the door open. “Mack, Rodeo, you need to see this.”
“No!” I scream. Not him. Not Coty.
Both men rush into the office. Coty roars like I’ve never heard before and storms out of the room.
“Jack, Hendrix, go after him,” Mack orders.
Lily kneels in front of me. “Don’t worry. They’ll stop him.”
“Lily, my life is such a mess. I messed up. I…”
She covers my hand with hers. “I know.”
“You know?”
She tilts her head and smiles lovingly at me. She’s been around Nanny a lot. “A little, but not everything.” She wipes a tear from my cheek. “But all’s not lost. It’s fixable.”
I swallow hard and nod. I lean forward and let my friend treat my wounds. Is she right, though? Are things with Coty fixable?