Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Tor
I pace the length of the clubhouse's main room, my boots echoing off the wooden floor.
My chest tightens with each passing minute.
Meghan's been gone too fucking long.
"Fuck this," I mutter, fishing my phone out of my cut's inside pocket.
I dial Meghan's number, the familiar ringtone taunting me as it goes unanswered.
The image of her ashy blonde hair and sage green eyes flashes through my mind, intensifying my worry.
I try again.
And again, nothing.
I growl, my fingers tightening around the phone.
"Come on, Meg. Pick up."
The worry gnawing at my gut is turning into full-blown panic.
What if something's happened to her?
The thought of Meghan in danger makes my blood run cold.
I stride toward the heavy industrial door leading to Bubba's, my mind racing.
She should've been back by now.
It's just a quick run to the pharmacy, for Christ's sake.
Fenrir's gruff voice calls from behind the bar.
"Heading out?"
I nod sharply.
"Meghan's not answering her phone. I'm going to find her."
Fenrir's brow furrows, concern etching lines around his eyes. "Want backup?"
For a moment, I consider it. But no, I need to do this myself. "I've got this. I'll call if I need anything."
As I push through the door, I head right over to my bike.
I swing my leg over the seat, the familiar rumble of the engine doing little to calm my nerves.
As I peel out of the lot, one thought consumes me: I have to find her. I have to make sure she's safe.
Because if anything's happened to Meghan, I don't know what I'll do.
She's become my whole world, and I'll be damned if I let anything take her away from me.
The roar of my bike echoes off the buildings as I tear through the streets, my heart pounding in sync with the engine.
I circle the nearest pharmacy once, twice, my eyes scanning frantically for any sign of Meghan or her car.
On the third pass, I spot it—her silver sedan, parked on the other side, near the entrance.
My blood runs cold.
The passenger window is shattered, glass glittering on the pavement like deadly diamonds.
And there, sprawled on the ground beside the car, is Meghan.
"No!" I growl, barely registering my own voice as I screech to a halt.
I'm off my bike in seconds, not caring that I've left it running.
My boots crunch on broken glass as I rush to her side, falling to my knees beside her still form.
"Meghan! Baby, wake up!" I plead, my hands hovering over her, afraid to move her.
Her face is so pale, a stark contrast to the smear of blood near her temple. "Please, Meg, open your eyes!"
Was this random, or targeted?
The questions swirl, but I push them aside.
Right now, all that matters is Meghan.
After what feels like an eternity, her eyelids flutter.
A soft groan escapes her lips, and relief floods through me so strongly I feel dizzy.
"Tor?" she mumbles, wincing as she tries to move. "My head..."
I cup her face gently, my thumbs stroking her cheeks. "I'm here, baby. I've got you. Don't try to move, okay? We need to get you checked out."
Her sage green eyes, usually so bright and full of life, are clouded with pain and confusion.
It breaks my heart to see her like this, and fury bubbles up inside me.
Whoever did this is going to pay, and pay dearly.
But first things first, Meghan needs help and she needs it now.
I scan the area, my jaw clenching when I spot her wallet lying open on the ground, its contents scattered. "Meghan, what happened? Was it a carjacking?"
She winces again, her gaze darting away from mine.
The silence that follows is deafening, and my gut twists with worry.
Something's not right here, but I can't put my finger on it.
Meghan mumbles, attempting to sit up. "I want to go back to the clubhouse."
I place a firm hand on her shoulder, keeping her still. "No way, babe. You need to get checked out. That head injury could be serious."
Her eyes flash with defiance, a glimpse of her usual fire. "I'm fine, Tor. Just help me up and?—"
"Dammit, Meg," I cut her off, my voice rough with emotion. "I love you, okay? So shut up and let me help you."
The words tumble out before I can stop them, raw and honest. "You were in a coma not long ago. We're not taking any chances."
She stares at me, stunned into silence.
I take advantage of the moment and pull out my phone, dialing my dad's number with shaking fingers.
"Dad," I say as soon as he picks up. "She's hurt. We're at the pharmacy on Fifth. Get here fast."
I end the call and turn back to Meghan, who's watching me with an unreadable expression. "Help's on the way, baby. Just hang on."
True to form, within five minutes, I hear the rumble of my dad's truck.
Relief washes over me as my father, Fenrir, and Aesir pile out, their faces etched with concern.
"What happened, son?" Runes asks, his eyes darting between me and Meghan.
I shake my head, frustration evident in my voice.
"I don't know, but she needs a hospital. Now."
Runes nods, his face grim. "All right, I'll drive you two to the hospital. Fenrir, take Tor's bike. Aesir, get Meghan's car back to the club."
I scoop Meghan into my arms, cradling her against my chest.
She feels so small, so fragile, and my heart clenches.
As I carry her to Dad's truck, I can feel her trembling.
"It's okay, Meg," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I've got you."
The drive to the hospital is tense, filled with worried glances.
I keep Meghan close, my fingers gently stroking her hair, willing her to stay awake.
As soon as we arrive, everything becomes a blur of motion.
Meghan's whisked away on a gurney, and I'm right there beside her, refusing to let go of her hand.
A doctor approaches, trying to assess the situation.
"What happened here?" he asks, eyes darting between us.
Meghan's voice is weak as she answers, "I lost consciousness."
Before she can say more, I cut in, "Looks like a carjacking. Found her on the ground by her car."
Meghan's eyes meet mine for a split second, a flicker of... something passing between us.
But she remains silent, and I press on.
"Doc, she was in a coma a couple months back. Head injury. We want to make sure everything's okay."
The doctor's eyebrows raise, and he nods gravely. "I see. Well, Ms..."
"Whittaker," I supply. "Meghan Whittaker."
"Ms. Whittaker, we'll need to run some tests to ensure there's no serious damage. Given your history, it's crucial we're thorough."
As the doctor speaks, I can't help but notice how Meghan's grip on my hand tightens.
I glance down at her, seeing the fear she's trying so hard to hide.
My chest aches, and I silently vow to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
No matter what happens, I'm not letting her out of my sight again.
The doctor's face softens as he looks at me, his eyes filled with approval. "You did the right thing bringing her in immediately. With her history, we can't be too careful."
I nod, feeling a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. "So, what's next?"
"We'll order a head CT and some routine bloodwork," he explains, jotting notes on his clipboard. "Then we'll go from there. It's standard procedure, but essential given the circumstances."
Meghan's fingers tighten around mine, and I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Her sage green eyes meet mine, filled with a vulnerability that makes my heart clench.
"It's gonna be okay, Meg," I murmur, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides.
The doctor excuses himself, and soon a nurse arrives to take Meghan for her tests.
As they wheel her away, I feel a physical ache at the loss of contact.
"I'll be right here when you get back," I call after her, my voice rougher than I'd like.
Once she's out of sight, I slump against the wall, running a hand through my hair.
Fuck.
This is all my fault.
I should've gone with her to the pharmacy.
Should've protected her better.
I push off the wall, needing to move, to do something.
My feet carry me out to the waiting room where I spot my old man, Runes, sitting with his head in his hands.
"Dad," I call out, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looks up, worry etched deep in the lines of his face.
"How is she, son?"
I drop into the seat next to him, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me.
"They're running tests. CT scan, bloodwork. Doc says it's standard, but..." I trail off, unable to voice my fears.
Runes places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and grounding.
"She's tough, Tor. She'll pull through this."
I nod, wanting desperately to believe him.
"Yeah, she is." I pause, swallowing hard.
"But Dad, I can't help thinking... what if this wasn't just a random carjacking? What if someone's targeting her because of us, because of the club?"
A nurse appears in the doorway, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me. "Tor, she's back in her room now and she’s asking for you."
I'm on my feet in an instant, my heart pounding against my ribs.
As I follow the nurse down the sterile hallway, my heartbeat pounds intensely.
The moment I step into Meghan's room, I know my instincts are spot on.
She's sitting up in bed, her ashy blonde hair tangled around her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The sight of her like this, so vulnerable and broken, makes my chest ache.
"Meg," I breathe, rushing to her side. "What is it, baby? What's wrong?"
She looks up at me, her light sage green eyes swimming with pain and fear. "Tor, I can't... I can't do this anymore."
I reach for her hand, but she pulls away.
The rejection stings, but I push past it. "Can't do what, babe?"
Meghan takes a shuddering breath. "This. All of it. I need to leave, start fresh. Get away from the club."
Her words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. "I'm constantly in danger if I stay in Tallahassee, and don't try to argue with me, because you know it's true."
For a moment, I'm stunned into silence.
My mind races, trying to process what she's saying.
Leave?
Start fresh?
Away from the club?
Away from me?
The thought of losing her makes my blood run cold.
"If you’ve already made your decision then fine," I hear myself say, surprising us both. "but I'm going with you."
Meghan's eyes widen in disbelief.
"What?"
I lean in closer, my voice low and intense.
"I'd give up my whole life for you, Meg. All of it."
She shakes her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "You're crazy, Tor. The club is your life."
I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me.
"No, Meghan. You’re my life. The club, the brotherhood, it all means nothing without you."
As I stare into her tear-filled eyes, I know with absolute certainty that I mean every word.
For her, I'd walk away from everything I've ever known.