Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
DANTE
The rain of bullets stops. I don’t know if the shooter escaped or if my brothers got him. Pain sears through my shoulder as I shift back to my human form, hot blood running down my arm.
The sharp crack of the gunshot still echoes in my ears. Ava’s eyes widen, her face paling at the sight of the crimson staining my shirt. I sit back on my haunches, my gaze going over her body, searching for any wound.
She’s alright. She’s safe.
Her hands flutter over me, desperate. “Dante, oh my god. You were hit!”
I grunt, trying to play it off even as agony lances through me. “I’m fine, darling. All that matters is that you’re safe.”
Archer rushes over, his brows knitting together. “Jesus, D. The hell were you thinking, jumping like that?” He shakes his head. “We need to get you patched up ASAP. Where’s Doc?”
King shakes his head. “We can’t stay here. Can you walk, Dante?”
“Yeah.” I shoot to my feet, then help Ava up. “We have to leave. I can hear the sirens already.”
“But your shoulder?—”
“No time.” King pushes us back to the street. “Archer will ride your bike. Ava rides with him and you ride with me.”
Archer grunts. “Shit. I should have put a second seat on my bike.”
Ava blows a hysterical laugh. “You’re worried about your bike?” she asks Archer, her voice pitching higher with nerves.
“Shifters are tough,” I tell her as we approach the lot we left all the bikes.
Ava shakes her head in disbelief. Her eyes are huge, half-wild. She straddles my Harley and shows her palm.
I falter, frowning at her. “What are you doing?” I give her the keys.
“Saving you like you saved me.” She revs the engine. “Come on. We don’t have time.”
I exchange an awed glance with Archer. He thankfully sits on his bike. I’m pretty sure he likes it more than he likes me.
The sound of ten bikes roaring to life makes me smile through the pain. I slide on behind Ava, wrapping my good arm around her waist.
King takes the lead. “Spread out, lose the cops, meet back at the gas station. Go, go, go!”
The roar of the bike drowns out everything else as we peel out, racing through the dark streets. I focus on the warmth of Ava’s body, the tickle of her hair whipping against my face, anything to distract from the throbbing in my shoulder.
We meet at the gas station just long enough for Doc to patch me up. After an hour or so on the road, my wound is good enough that Ava can take her place behind me. She complains, but I’ve noticed her shaking off her aching arms. She’s not used to the weight of this bike and it takes a toll.
We arrive back at the Grim Reaper with the sky changing colors. I count my brothers to find a few missing. Ava and I walk together into the bar, my arm draped over her. She holds me against her for a minute while everyone settles.
I lock eyes with her, drinking in the stormy gray of her irises. Worry swims in their depths.
“I’m gonna be fine, darling,” I rasp. “Promise. We shifters heal fast.”
Her voice shakes slightly. “I can’t believe you did that. Stepped in front of a bullet for me.”
I cup her face with my good hand, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “I’ll always protect you. No matter what.”
She bites her lip, tears welling. Before she can reply, the rest of my brothers burst in, Archer and King leading the charge. Their faces are thunderous.
“Shadow lost the shooter in the woods,” King spits. He slams his fist against the wall. “And the cops will know Kane got beaten up before he died.”
Archer drags a hand through his hair, frustrated. “And now Kane is dead, which means we’ve got no solid proof against Thorne and his bullshit.” He meets Ava’s eyes. “Fuck, Avs. I’m sorry. This was all for nothing.”
Ava’s spine straightens. “Of course not!” She opens a shaky smile. “I recorded everything Kane said to me.” She holds up her phone. “I just sent it to my editor. Even if it’s not enough for a full expose, it’s the beginning. Once I put it up online, things will change. I know it.”
King’s brows shoot up. He looks at her with new respect. The whole MC falls silent, staring at this fiery, determined woman.
My woman.
King breaks into a slow grin. “Well, fuck me sideways. Looks like Dante’s little mate has bigger balls than half this club.”
Hoots and hollers of agreement. King holds up a hand for quiet.
“In fact, I’d say she’s earned herself a place among us.” His gaze locks with Ava’s, solemn and serious. “What do you say, girl? Want to be a Savage Knight?”
Ava’s jaw drops. She gapes at him, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. I reach for her hand and squeeze.
“I...I don’t know what to say,” she stammers. “I’m not... I mean, I never thought...” She swallows hard, then opens a tentative smile to Archer. “Isn’t it weird?”
Archer laughs. “Let’s be honest. Our parents weren’t very nice. Our whole lives, we just had each other.” He grins. “Now you have the rest of the club.”
Ava blinks back tears, a shaky smile breaking across her face. She glances up at me. “What about you, Dante? Would you mind that?”
I pull her closer. “It’s not about me, darling. This is about you. You choose. I’ll have your back no matter what.”
Ava smiles, gray eyes sparkling. She parts her lips with a reply.
Her phone buzzes.