The Last Riders - First Four Votes (6 page)

R
azer sat
his empty beer bottle down on the bar, trying not to think about Beth and Dean’s trip to Vegas tomorrow.

“Want another?” Mick asked.

“No, going home.”

“Since when do you drink one beer and leave?”

The slamming door had everyone's eyes turning towards the noise.

Loker James came striding angrily to the bar.

“Mick, have you seen Ton? I just got back in town this morning and when I went home, both him and the truck were gone.”

“I haven’t seen him today.”

“Mother-fucker! I am going to strangle him with my bare hands when I find him." The ringing of his cell phone cut off further threats of violence.

The expression on his face had everyone unashamedly listening. Through the phone call, Loker was mostly silent; so they didn’t get many clues. However, Loker’s face turned white and his hand was shaking as he ended the conversation.

“I found Ton.”

Razer and Mick exchanged glances. They knew the news was bad.

“He was in an accident. He broadsided Beth Cornett's car on Ivy Hill. They’ve both been taken to the E.R.”

Razer's hand gripped the rail of the bar, his shaking knees were barely holding him upright where he stood.

“How bad is she hurt?” Two sets of eyes turned to him in surprise at his reaction.

“Don’t know. That was the only information dispatch would tell me. The sheriff told them to contact me and to have me meet him at the hospital.”

Loker left without another word, jogging to his car. He was putting the car in gear when the passenger side door was wrenched open and Razer jumped in.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Going with you.”

“Why?”

“Beth.” Without further question, Loker floored the gas pedal.

By the time Loker reached the hospital, there were six bikers that had been in the bar when Razer ran out who were now following behind. Curiosity had gotten them on their bikes to follow.

Loker went directly to the ER with Razer close on his heels. As he entered through the sliding doors, he could already hear the commotion Ton was making in a nearby room. He was too relieved that his father was in good enough condition to be enraged with the nurse loosened the knot his gut had been twisted into.

“Let me go, woman, I have to check on that little girl.”

“Sir, I told you that the sheriff is checking. When he comes back in a few moments, he’ll relay the information on the girl’s condition.” Ton was trying to jump out of a wheelchair while the middle-aged nurse was unsuccessfully trying to keep him seated. “I need to check your injuries.”

“I’m fine. They checked me out in the ambulance. It’s that poor girl who needs help.”

“Dad,” Loker spoke, trying to get Ton’s attention.

Ton faced his son with tears streaming from his eyes. It was a tough sight for Loker to see; his hard ass father never showed emotions that he would consider weak.

“I know what you’re going to say, but I am not drunk, haven't had a drink all day. I was just going to the store for a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes that probably cost that girl her life. There was blood everywhere.” Ton lifted his shaking hands to cover his face. “I saw her, too. She pulled right out in front of me, but I couldn’t stop in time.”

“Ton.” Loker tried to quiet his father, worried that he would incriminate himself.

“No. I hurt that girl. I want you to shoot me.”

“How is she?” Razer asked quietly from his position of leaning against the pale yellow wall with Shade, Knox and Rider standing beside him.

“They won’t tell me.” Ton redoubled his efforts to get out of the wheelchair.

“Ton, stop.” The soft voice coming from the doorway had everyone turning. Razer thought he was imagining her voice, however as he turned, it was clearly Beth with tear-swollen eyes and trembling lips, clutching her purse in fear. Razer might have felt a surge of joy at seeing Beth was okay, but it was short-lived as the realization sunk in that it had been Lily behind the wheel instead.

“I am so sorry, Beth. I didn’t think…” Ton’s voice faded off as he immediately stopped his struggles.

They waited for Beth to let Ton have it. Lily was Beth’s only family and everyone in town knew how Beth protected and worshiped her baby sister.

As Beth walked forward to face the crying man, no one moved to stop her. She reached out and, instead of the smack everyone expected, cupped his beard-roughened cheek, gently brushing his tears away.

“You have to calm down. Remember your blood pressure. You don’t want me to be worried about you, too, do you?”

“No.” Ton tried to gain control under Beth’s steady gaze.

“Has he been checked out?” Beth asked the nurse.

“Not yet. He wouldn’t let me.”

“Go with her, Ton. As soon as I find out Lily’s condition, I’ll find you.” Ton nodded, squeezing her hand.

The nurse ushered Ton towards a room and, not long after, a door halfway down the hall opened. Everyone froze expectantly as the Sheriff walked out. He looked at the audience waiting for news as Beth instantly moved to his side.

“How is she?”

“Lucky. She has a concussion, a sprained ankle and she is going to be sore as hell for a couple of days, but all that research you put into purchasing a safe car paid off.”

The Sheriff attended their church and Beth had questioned him relentlessly on the best choice of car to purchase when Lily had earned her license. Up until then, she had made due with an older model car, but Beth wasn’t going to take any chances with Lily’s safety. Beth had bought her a newer model car with a five star safety rating.

“Thank, God," Beth whispered, desperately trying to hang on to her control in front of the group of men.

The Sheriff nodded. “Someone was definitely looking out for her.”

Loker spoke up. “Was it Ton’s fault?"

“No, or Lily’s, either. Lily said her brakes went out, that was why she couldn’t stop. She pulled out in front of Ton. Beth, I’m going to have the car towed to the station and have our mechanic take a look at the brakes.”

“I just had the car serviced last month. I just don’t know how something like this could have been possible.”

“I’ll let you know what we find out as soon as possible.”

“Thanks, Sheriff. Can I go in and see Lily?”

“The doctor is waiting to talk to you then he’ll show you to Lily’s room.”

Beth went to go inside the door, but hesitated and turned back to Loker. “I want to see Lily, but I don’t want Ton upset. Would you find him and let him know he wasn’t responsible, along with the news that Lily will be fine?”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Bring him in to see Lily. He won’t rest until he does,” Beth commanded.

“Beth, we won’t intrude,” Loker protested.

“Bring him back or I will come to get him,” Beth threatened.

Loker smiled, finally agreeing. He took her by the arm, stopping her before she could leave. “Beth your first concern should have been for Lily, but instead you took the time to comfort a man that could have been responsible for her death. I never give out markers—I pay my debts—but I’m in your debt. If you ever need anything, let me know.”

Beth just shook her head at him and went to find Lily’s doctor. She wasn’t aware of the incredulity on the faces of the men around her. She was the first person, man or woman, to hold a marker for the head of The Last Riders.

B
eth signed the last paper
, releasing her sister. “Are you ready?”

Lily nodded then winced at the action. Seeing Beth’s worried frown, she hastily spoke, “I’m fine. I just have to remember to keep my head still.”

Beth touched Lily’s pale face. “Let’s go home. Evie was supposed to meet us outside twenty minutes ago.”

The orderly pushed Lily in a wheelchair to the hospital entrance with Beth following behind, carrying Lily’s overnight bag. Once outside, Beth searched the parking lot for Evie’s car, but didn’t see it. She was about to reach inside her purse for her cell phone when a dark blue car pulled up in front of them.

When Razer and Shade both got out of the car, Beth could only stare in stunned surprised while Razer opened the back door with a smile at the openly surprised women.

“Your chariot awaits, ladies,” Razer said with a casual smile.

“But Evie is picking us up,” Beth protested. She didn’t want to get in the close confines of the car with Razer, and Lily was looking even unhappier at the idea.

“Evie was, but Loker called. He rented this car until yours is repaired. He asked us to drop it off to you.”

“He shouldn’t have done that. Ton wasn’t responsible for the accident.”

“You can take that up with him. Loker didn’t want to leave Ton alone so he asked me. I wasn’t busy, so here I am. Now, are you ladies ready to roll?”

Beth helplessly rolled her eyes at Lily, stepping back as Razer maneuvered the wheelchair away from the orderly. Deftly, he guided the wheelchair to the waiting car. Razer pushed the wheelchair as close as possible then turned to Beth.

“Get in on the other side and help her slide in.” Beth hesitated, though she knew she had little choice.

Going to the other side of the car, she opened the door. Once inside, she helped Lily into the car, carefully adjusting her sprained ankle. As Lily’s scared eyes met hers, Beth gave her a reassuring smile.

“You good?” Shade had bent down next to Lily to ask.

“Yes.” Her response was tremulous as her hand reached down to smooth down the dress that had ridden up her slim thighs. When Shade’s eyes followed her movement, Beth realized he wasn’t wearing his sunglasses. His baby blues should be illegal without the sunglasses hiding them. Beth thought any young girl, faced with a specimen such as Shade, would use the opportunity to flirt outrageously, yet Lily leaned away and averted her face. Beth didn’t know whether to be concerned or thankful.

Razer shut Beth’s door before getting into the front seat while Shade closed Lily’s door, also getting into the front.

The ride was quiet for a few minutes before Razer filled the taut silence with innocuous comments on the rental car. The conversation relaxed the girls, their stiffened bodies gradually sinking into the luxurious seats. The conversation steadily switched to how Lily was enjoying college. Her responses were at first stilted, but as she talked about her classes, she became more animated until she almost seemed relaxed by the time they pulled up in front of Beth’s house.

Razer went to the trunk to get Lily’s overnight bag and crutches after he opened Beth’s door while Shade waited next to an already opened door by Lily, moving away when Beth took the crutches from Razer. She helped Lily from the car and the trio watched as the girl put the crutches under her arms, wincing when she lifted them.

“I guess I’m still a little stiff.” Lily tried to laugh it off.

With the crutches under her arms, she took a step forward slowly with a small whimper escaping from her pursed lips, yet she didn’t stop attempting another step. Her discomfort was obvious to the onlookers; they all could see she was in extreme pain.

“For Christ’s sake,” Shade finally exploded and then lifted a startled Lily into his arms without warning. The crutches fell to the ground and Lily’s body arched as she tried to throw herself out of his arms.

Beth started to go to her, but Razer took her by the arm, leading her to the house.

“Wait, I can walk on the crutches.” Desperately, Lily tried to wrench out of his arms. Shade gave her a small toss into the air, which automatically caused Lily’s arms to circle his neck, holding on to him.

“Be careful, you don’t want me to drop you.” Shade laughed, walking to the door of the house. Lily loosened her grip on his so that she could lean back without being pressed so close to his chest while also giving herself more breathing room.

As he brought Lily into the house, Beth and Razer were waiting inside. “Where do you want her?”

Beth motioned to the couch, which had been purchased for visiting members of the church and was already pulled out into a bed, ready for Lily’s use. Beth didn’t want to confine Lily to the upstairs with her foot.

Shade gently laid Lily on the bed, making sure she was comfortable before leaving without a word.

Speechless, Beth simply stared at the closed door. “Yes… well… thanks for picking us up.” Beth turned as the door opened again to see Shade carrying the crutches. He leaned them against the couch, close to Lily and, again, left without a word.

“Shade’s not big on manners,” Razor tried to excuse his friend while fighting his own amusement as the women merely gaped at him.

“Is he going to come back again?” Beth asked, staring at the door.

“No, I think that was it for now. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Both women shook their heads.

“All right. Then I’ll catch you later.” Razer went to stand next to Lily, touching her bandaged forehead. “Stay safe.”

“Thanks.” Lily shyly smiled at Razer who then, not about to let Shade outdo him, left without another word.

As soon as the door closed with a snap, the sisters gawked at each other. They both couldn’t help wondering why the men had been so considerate and helpful when it was such a contradiction to the tough biker image they normally projected.