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“Nope. We’re on lockdown until we know what’s going on.” He grinned. “But don’t worry. There’s plenty of places here to get away from everyone else.”
She didn’t respond, but then again, when he glanced the same direction she was staring, he probably wouldn’t either. Most of the members stood outside the lodge alongside their old ladies and families. He’d never seen the like of it before. Obviously they weren’t waiting around for them, already unloading their shit for an undetermined length of stay at the mountain fortress.
Doc hustled out of the cab, and then opened her door.
“I’m putting everyone in danger.”
Tilting up her chin, he shook his head. “It comes with the lifestyle, princess.”
“But—”
“None of that. Macha is a family, and we protect our own.” He grabbed her hand and guided her from the truck’s warmth. Tucking her under his arm, he nodded to two prospects nearby to get her luggage.
Leading her through a side door, Doc managed to avoid the crowd. Once they were inside, he nodded to Queenie, Dolly, and a couple more women he didn’t recognize. They were diligently working in the kitchen. Homemade bread from the smell of it.
Isa held tightly to his arm on the way up the stairs, and he feared she wouldn’t be able to handle confinement in the lodge very long. Her past was filled with happiness and no hint of MC involvement. In a short amount of time, she’d learned about her father and the club he ran. If it were him, he’d be wary too.
Doc opened the bedroom door and was grateful to see her bed already made and waiting. “Hang on.” He left her by the door and quickly checked the room. Even though he trusted his brothers, he wanted to ensure the room was safe himself. “Okay, all clear.”
Isa closed the door behind her and slowly walked over to him. “I’m scared,” she said seconds before pressing her face into his chest. He didn’t have to see the tears to understand the wetness on his shirt.
Cradling the back of her head, he rested his chin on her soft hair. “You’re gonna be all right. I promise.”
“I wish I had a different dad.” She sniffled. “Or that he had a different job. I understand why Mum kept me away.”
Doc’s heart clenched at her words. He didn’t know how to respond. His mother had gone along similar lines when his parents split. The difference was he grew up around Macha and knew his father’s role in the club. There were no surprises for him. Isa’s childhood was sheltered. Knowing her history, everything about her life was kept hidden—for good reason. Even before Phantom took over Belfast, he protected his daughter the only way he knew how.
“I know it seems rough right now, but we’ll get through this.” He held her at arm’s length and searched for her gaze. Once it latched on to his, Doc felt his pulse quicken. Even crying, she was an angel. “It’s late. Maybe you should get some sleep.” He nodded to the bed. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”
She glanced at the bed, then back to him. “Will you stay with me?”
“Isa—”
“Please. At least until I fall asleep.”
He could say her gray eyes swayed him to agree, but it wasn’t true. He wasn’t going anywhere if he could help it. Isa was his responsibility, one he’d gladly take on any day of his life.
17
Doc
“Got another live one, Doc!”
Glancing up from the chessboard, Doc caught sight of Snoopy and Brewer heading his direction with a prospect loosely hanging between their shoulders. Blood soaked the prospect’s face and dribbled down his shirt.
“Isa, I need to take care of this.” He nodded to the board. “I know where my pieces are, so don’t even think about cheating.”
“Whatever you say, Doc.”
That smug little smile on her face almost made him think twice about patching up the incoming man. But he wouldn’t.
Standing, he met Snoopy and Brewer at the door. “Who’d our guy lose to?”
“Rubble.”
He chuckled and followed the trio down the hallway to the makeshift clinic he’d set up right after arriving in Snowshoe. There was one at the clubhouse too, but that one was better stocked and held medical equipment. The lodge clinic left much to be desired. He made a mental note to chat with Reaper about supplies. If a firefight made its way up the mountain, the club needed to be fully prepared.
Snoopy rested the prospect, a man in his early twenties, on the table while Brewer tugged the guy’s shirt off. The man winced but didn’t make a sound. Macha didn’t promote fistfights, but the club also didn’t discourage them.
