Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Koa (Koa)
I'll never get used to the sounds of Ripley throwing up. Not only is it gross to witness, but it tears my heart to shreds because I know why he can't keep it together.
A simple clank of the chains holding Cassie in place makes Rip hurl for the second time today. I was lost in a gut-wrenching trance after the medics descended on us. Now Ripley yanks me out of it and urges me to his side.
"Breathe," I murmur, wrapping an arm around his chest to keep him upright as the two people grapple for my injured man. Hurling with a knife sticking out of his side must have hurt like a motherfucker, yet he still tries to get to Cassie.
The moment the chains hit the ground in a final clatter, Ripley goes limp in my hold. Much like Cassie, he tips forward, forcing me to stumble to a knee to keep him from injuring himself even more. The men help her do the same, gently maneuvering her as best they can without making shit worse.
"Her shoulder," Ripley wheezes, coming back to himself a bit. Thank fuck because there's no way I can carry his heavy ass without some cooperation.
I glance up at Cassie again and note the expert way the team is supporting her arm. "They know what they’re doing. You on the other hand are at serious risk of bleeding out, so could you please, for the love of god, let these people help you too."
"I don't deserve any help," the dumbass rasps.
I fight like hell not to close my eyes in annoyance. "Enough. None of that. Our mission isn't over, and we need to get the hell out of here. Let's go!" The man and woman come forward and take back over managing Ripley's bleeding.
This time they don't loiter around once Cassie is placed on the gurney I didn't notice before. My chest caves in on itself as she's carried by me toward the stairs. I have to ignore the arguing and conversations around me as we all simultaneously try to do what's best while losing our minds.
Ripley is guided up the stairs after her, and I follow suit.
Victor's mangled corpse in the hallway does nothing to me.
As much as I would have loved torturing him for years on end, this is better.
This way he's not stealing us from her. Our attention is solely on Cassidy for the first time in our lives.
Numb and chilled to the damn bone, I focus on just one thing: making sure all five of us make it out of this hellhole.
Maddox and Parker are stiff and growly behind me, huffing about not wanting anyone touching her blood in the cell, but it's inevitable. Someone will clean up, and it won't be us because we will be where we belong, by her side.
It pains me too, but we have to keep moving forward. No looking back at her puddle of blood. God. How did it come to this?
Climbing to the top of the staircase and stepping into the disgusting excuse for a clubhouse, I feel a bit feral myself. This is where Victor made his plans to kidnap our woman. This is where he abused his people.
Pinching my eyes closed, I rub my forearm while my feet continue after my battered and bruised family. We'll get through this.
With a deep breath, I gather the courage to open my eyes, and when I do, I groan. Connor walks toward us, his gaze heavy, holding too many questions. Except before we meet, I'm thrown off kilter by the next dead man.
A door swings open to a small closet, and out comes our rat. While it wouldn't have been a problem to out himself now that his club is dismantled, he earns a bullet with his choice of words.
"I can't believe the bitch made it! You shoulda heard her screams," the fucker laughs and reaches to slap me on the shoulder.
As if he didn't sign a death warrant.
Before he can touch me or say one more thing about my strong, beautiful, unconscious old lady, my gun is out of my jeans and firing right at his fucking kneecap. The asshole collapses in a ridiculous heap on the floor, and I feel nothing.
"AHHH! MOTHERFUCKER!! WHY?!"
What does surprise me is the stray bullet flying over his shoulder as he drops like a sack of rocks. Not my bullet.
A man I don't recognize in a cut that intrigues me, steps up beside me and glares down at the fuckwit bleeding all over the floor. "You made me miss," the newcomer pouts. "I was going to shoot his shoulder, then bring him home with us. Teach this fucker a lesson before he died."
"Who the hell are you?" I ask, slightly alarmed that there's another club here.
This guy looks like a fucking surfer with his wild blond curls, but the deranged look in his eyes and wicked grin clue me into his character.
"Black Veil MC of Ashford. We're total Shadow Daddy vibes.
That's us. Do you want him or can we have him?
He needs to pay. Names Niklaus. Nik for short. Nice to meet you, Koa."
The fuck is happening? I didn't tell him my name.
Connor steps between us with a scowl before I can figure out what to ask Nik. "What the fuck was that, Koa?"
Nik stiffens a millisecond later at the sound of a woman's voice. I've never seen anyone turn more pale than he is now, and I think I have a good idea that something profound just stabbed him right in the damn soul.
"N-Nikki?" a small woman whimpers, inching out of the broom closet our rat was hiding in.
"I—" Niklaus stutters and clears his throat. "Excuse me," he mutters to me and Connor.
Tucking my gun away, I step back and away from what looks like a devastating reunion. I have one of my own to get back to. Addressing Connor's question takes a little finesse.
"You saw him come at me. His hand was coming for my throat, his words were vulgar, and he's a Chain Smokers scumbag. Self-defense, Con. Talk later," I say with a salute and rush after the gurney carrying my future.
I'd shoot anyone for speaking about Cassie in anything but a positive light. The rat deserved it for doing nothing to help her or us. Hiding in the closet while a battle ensues is cowardly. And whatever he was doing with the girl? Fuck. Yeah, Nik can have him.
"Not so fast," Connor huffs, catching up with me. "I'm driving you guys to the hospital. You three can't fit with both Cassidy and Ripley."
"Just get us there."
I need to see her alive and well soon, before I lose my shit. Hindering the process by demanding I hold her hand for the fifteen-minute drive would be selfish. She will have Rip if she wakes up. I'll be there soon. That will have to be enough for now.