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Then a gunshot, deafening and singular. One bullet was all it took.
“Crow!” I yelled.
No answer.
“No, no, no,” I whispered, fighting against the zip-ties.
“Here,” came a rusty croak.
Crow leaned in the doorway, a gash across his left ribs. His face looked ashy and his steps were wobbly, like it took every ounce of concentration to keep him upright. He sank to his knees before me.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay, I’m fine,” I said, tears of relief spilling down my cheeks. “Just…just get me out of here. Please.”
Crow fumbled with the zip-ties, his movements sluggish, his fingers stained with blood. As soon as my hands were free, I flung my arms around his neck, heedless of the fact my ankles were still tied to the chair.
Crow locked his arms around me, burying his face in my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispered, his voice thick.
I burrowed deeper into his embrace, pressing a feverish kiss to his lips over and over.
“It’s done, we’re both safe,” I whispered back.
Someone cleared their throat. I looked up. My dad stood in the doorway, the sniper rifle hooked over his shoulder. With a gulp of relief at seeing him, I tore myself away from Crow and went to my father. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off and I started trembling. To realize he was the one who had taken the kill-shot to put an end to this whole thing was sobering.
Dad wrapped me in a crushing hug. I knew he’d seen me with Crow. I knew I couldn’t keep things a secret any longer. But for now, he simply kissed my forehead and squeezed me a little tighter.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Dani,” he said softly. “God, I’m so glad you’re safe.”
Chapter Nine
Crow
Dani stayed with her parents at their house for a few days. After I was stitched up and released from the hospital, I headed back to the clubhouse. It was tempting to think about sinking into the flat, bare mattress and sleeping straight through twenty-four hours or more. But there was something I needed to do before I lost my nerve. Before the opportunity was taken away from me.
When I emerged from the spare room wearing a button-down shirt, a fresh pair of jeans, and no kutte, the clubhouse went quiet. Bear turned to look at me from his seat at the bar and let out a low whistle.
“Looks like someone is finally stepping up his romance game.”
“About thirty years too late,” Brewer put in from a booth, his arm draped around his lady, Alexandra.
I didn’t say anything and let them have their fun. They’d never seen me like this - making an effort, making a long-term commitment to a woman. I was always in the background, watching my brothers fall in love.
Now it was my turn. If Dani was willing to give me that chance, after everything we’d been through. Once the shock had worn off and reality set in, would she still want me around?
Since my bike was still in Rooster’s repair shop, I had rented a car for the week. I’d considered using the club’s van, but that old beat-up thing wouldn’t make a good impression. And if things went the way I hoped they would, I might need to get used to driving a car instead of my bike anyway.
When I pulled up to Pete’s house, my hands were trembling faintly. I’d never been this nervous before about anything. But the thought of having Dani in my life for that short amount of time and then losing her had me shaking.
Taking a steadying breath, I knocked on Pete’s door. The wait seemed like a lifetime even though it was really only a minute or two. Then the door opened and Pete stood on the threshold. It was now or never.
“Hey, Pete,” I said.
He looked me over and shook his head.
“What are you doing on your feet already? Shouldn’t you be in the hospital?”
