Chapter 7
Leigh lay curled on Hunter's bed, her breathing shallow for the first time since they arrived at the clubhouse. Annie sat beside her, one hand resting lightly on her sister's arm, afraid to press too hard. It seemed as if every inch of her sister's skin had a bruise or scratch.
Cleaning the old blood off her and witnessing the bruises that were all colors from purple to yellow to black, she wondered how Leigh survived.
She could only imagine what Jason had done to punish her sister after she escaped him. Knowing he would make her sister pay for her mistake, she hadn't fled the house until she was sure she had a good shot of getting away.
All she had to do was find the lot where Jason hid her car, retrieve the hidden key from the metal magnetic case in the wheel well, return to the house, and get Leigh. It would've worked, too, but Jason came home from work early and caught her running down the street.
Every time Leigh shifted on the bed, she winced.
Annie was sure her sister had a bruised or broken rib.
She hated this.
Hated the helplessness clawing at her chest. It was up to her to take care of Leigh, but she had no idea what to do.
If she took her to the hospital, they'd call the police.
If she called the police and reported what happened, they'd protect Jason and probably ensure Leigh was returned to him, since they were married.
Jason had taken everything from her. Her purse, her cell, her car, her sense of control. And now Leigh was broken and bruised, and they were hiding in a biker's bedroom like fugitives.
Annie glanced at the door, anxious for Hunter to return.
She exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair from Leigh's forehead. "You're safe now," she whispered.
Leigh's eyes fluttered open. "But for how long?" Her sister's voice was hoarse, barely audible. "I want to leave and go far away. Just drive. Keep driving until we run out of gas."
Annie's stomach twisted. "I wasn't able to make it to the lot to check if my car was even there. I don't even have any money to call an Uber."
Leigh closed her eyes again. "Go to Seattle. Your bank."
"That's the plan." Annie sighed. "As soon as I get my car, I'll figure out how to get to Seattle. From there, I'll take us far away. I promise, sis."
They were trapped. If she stepped outside, Jason had the authority to pick her up. He had enough people who would let him walk away free from the crimes he committed.
Annie looked around the room. It was clean, quiet, and organized. There was a stack of what she believed were motorcycle parts, and on the dresser were ink bottles and tattoo guns beside a chest. Hunter's space. It was a stark reminder that they'd only gone from one problem to another.
She sighed heavily. He didn't have to help them.
He could've ignored her on the road. Could've let Jason finish what he started.
But he hadn't.
He'd pulled her out of danger. He'd gone into that house without hesitation. He'd carried Leigh as if she mattered.
Annie's tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Gratitude burned in her throat. Hunter had saved not only her, but her sister, too. There was no way she could ever pay him back for what he'd done.
In the other room, the door opened. She leaned forward, looking into the main room.
Hunter stepped into the doorframe, carrying two sacks from Burgerville and a couple more bottles of water. He set everything down on the dresser, then pointed at the food.
Annie stood, her legs stiff, and crossed the room. "Thank you," she said softly, making sure he could read her lips.
He nodded once, then looked at Leigh.
"Doctor?" he asked.
Annie glanced at her sister. "He's asking if you need a doctor."
Leigh's eyes opened, and she shook her head. "No. I'll be fine in a few days."
Annie frowned, knowing that the damage done to her would last a lifetime. Even if all the bruises faded, there would be scars and memories.
"I think your rib's broken," she said.
Leigh didn't answer. Only closed her eyes and forced herself back into the shell she'd built to heal herself.
Hunter watched them both, then pointed to the patch on his vest. "We have a doctor."
Annie hugged her middle. She had a hard time believing there was a doctor in the motorcycle club. Granted, the only experience she had with bikers was seeing the occasional group of riders go past her on the interstate.
From what she'd seen of the members belonging to Royalla, none of them could be doctors covered in tattoos, drinking during the day, and the heavy scent of marijuana in the building.
But if there were someone who could look at Leigh and tell them if something was broken or she needed more help, she would take any help she could get.
She looked at Leigh. "Sis? He says they have someone who can look at you. Someone they trust."
Leigh shook her head again. "No hospitals. No cops."
Annie inhaled deeply, accepting her sister's choices. She stepped closer to Hunter. "Thank you, but no." She shook her head to make it clear. "If we can stay here for another day, maybe Leigh will feel better. I can work around here to pay for all you've done—"
"No." Hunter tilted his head. "Does she like dogs?"
"Dogs?" The change of subject came so fast she couldn't follow along. "I guess."
When they were younger, they had a dog. Leigh loved all animals. Though there was none at the house when she arrived.
Hunter left the room. Annie sat back down beside her sister. She hoped Hunter understood that she'd try to pay him back someday. It was vital for her to do that.
Because of him, Jason couldn't find them.
But the next step?
She had no idea.
The door creaked open again, and Annie looked up, expecting Hunter. Having him around brought her more peace than anxiety.
He approached the doorway, and that's when she spotted him holding a medium-sized dog.
Short-haired and black but with a white patch and some brown hair on its face, the dog resembled a boxer, except for the longer nose, which reminded her of a dachshund.
The dog had one floppy ear and soulful eyes that made her chest ache.
Annie blinked, watching him cross the room like this was the most normal thing in the world.
The dog was calm in his arms, tail wagging slowly, tongue lolling out in a lazy pant.
Annie's heart twisted. It'd been a long time since anything brought her comfort.
She reached over and gently tapped Leigh's arm. "Sis," she whispered. "Look."
Leigh stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She turned her head, wincing at the movement, and followed Annie's gaze.
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
The dog perked up at the sound, ears twitching.
Leigh's eyes filled with light. That was something Annie hadn't seen since arriving at her sister's.
Hunter stepped closer. The dog's tail wagged harder. He set the dog down on the floor beside the bed. Leigh reached out.
As if the dog knew it was needed, it put its paws on the mattress but didn't jump on the bed.
Leigh petted the dog. "What's its name?"
Hunter never answered. Annie hadn't explained to her sister that their hero was deaf.
Annie looked at Hunter and lifted her hand to get his attention. "What's his name?"
"Alanis."
She turned to Leigh, caught her gaze, and whispered, "Hunter's deaf and reads lips, so you have to get his attention first before you talk."
Leigh pushed herself up until she sat on her butt and then looked at Hunter. "Can Alanis stay with me?"
Hunter nodded.
Annie's throat tightened. Her sister was twenty-four years old. Two years older than her, but the vulnerability in her sister broke her heart.
Leigh had always been the leader. Head cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend in high school, she put herself through community college right after graduation and was always confident in herself. She admired her sister her whole life.
But something happened the moment she married Jason and moved away. Now she knew what broke her sister.
Hunter moved toward the door, leaving the dog behind. Annie met his eyes and mouthed, "Thank you."
He gave a small nod, then stepped out of the room, leaving her with hope that her sister would get better and offering her comfort in the form of a dog.