Chapter 17
WREN
I force my eyes open and wince at the pain wracking my head and body. I try to get up but immediately drop back down, unable to stand the pain thrumming through me.
I wince as I roll my head to the side and look for my bags.
They’re just inside the door where I must have dropped them when Dylan forced his way in.
I roll to my side and use my arms to push myself into a sitting position, whimpering as I do.
My head spins when I’m sitting, so I give myself a moment to get my bearings before trying to stand.
I grit my teeth as I force myself up and then I grab my bag and rifle through it until I find a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants to wear. I hold onto the wall while I slip them on and then close the bag before picking them all up.
My breathing is ragged as I walk out of the apartment and lock the door. I won’t be coming back here, that much I know. Every step to the car hurts me, but I make it there.
I toss my bags into the passenger side and lower myself into my seat. I struggle to start the car and wonder if I should even be driving right now, but I can’t wait here and see if he comes back. I won’t let him finish what he started.
I pull out of my parking spot and onto the road at the same time that one of the prospects pull up. He follows me back onto the road and I drive slowly towards the clubhouse, trying to be cautious of my driving.
I feel kind of numb. Maybe I’m in shock? I don’t know. I know what I just went through is going to hit me soon, but I need to hold it together until I get back to the clubhouse.
Right now, I don’t care about what Luke said. I don’t care that Axel didn’t stand up for me. Right now, I just need him.
The drive to the clubhouse feels like it takes forever, but I finally pull past the gates and park my car. I release a cry when I climb out and grab my bags as Noah rushes over to me.
“What the hell happened to you?” He gasps when he sees my face in the light.
I ignore him as he takes my bags keeping my focus on walking inside the clubhouse. One step at a time. The music is loud and makes me cringe when I enter, the lights too bright. I wince and sway on my feet.
“What the fuck, Wren?” I hear Cane gasp as he captures me in his arms. “What the hell happened?”
The music cuts and I hear voices murmur as the guys come over to help me. Ana and Lucy are asking me if I’m okay, but I can’t form the words for a response.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Cole asks, his face blurry as he stands beside us.
I shake my head. “I need Axel,” I rasp.
“Call Axel!” Cane barks out as he holds me. “Let’s get you cleaned up, okay?” He says in a softer tone. “Ana and Lucy, come with us!”
Cane sweeps me into his arms and takes me to one of the bedrooms on the first floor. He places me gently on the bed as the girls go into the bathroom to get washcloths. He steps back as the girls help to clean up the blood on my face and arms as he paces the room.
I stare ahead blankly as the girls finish up. They offer to get me new clothes, but I can’t stand the idea of them seeing me naked right now, so I just shake my head.
They sit beside me on the bed while Cane guards the door, checking his phone every few seconds. I’m sure he’s wondering where Axel is.
It’s not long before there’s yelling in the clubhouse. I know that it’s Axel without anyone telling me so. I don’t move from my position on the bed; I just swivel my head towards the door.
I watch as Cane and the girls step out into the hallway and then Axel is there. He barrels into the room with desperation written all over his face. When he sees me, his expression turns murderous. He rushes to the bedside and drops to his knees.
“Who did this to you?” He growls.