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So, he was planning to wait until Dan nailed Booker and then miraculously resurrect from the dead. “You’re not Jesus, Bodie. I for one won’t blame Ivy if she kicks your ass to the curb. You’re an asshole,” I yell at him. Then point aimlessly at the wall, not really knowing where the surgery room is. “And Jason is an asshole too. As far as I’m concerned, you can both screw yourselves. I’m out of here. I’m done. You’ve got what you wanted. I’ll move in with Mom and Dad and be out of your hair for good.”
“Keira,” Bodie says my name pleadingly.
I pause at the door, then slowly turn my head. “I’m glad you’re not dead, but don’t ever pretend to care because this only proves that you don’t.”
Bodie sighs sadly as I leave. If all he can say is how he did it for justice, then I don’t want to hear it. I would have understood that. I wouldn’t have tried to talk him out of it. Our parents wouldn’t have breathed a word of it to anyone. We’ve always handled things as a family. So, why does it feel like Bodie’s loyalty to his brotherhood – the fucking Knight Hawks – came first before anything else? This only proves that I’m not cut out to be a biker’s girlfriend. I don’t want to be second best. I’m an all or nothing kind of girl.
Jason’s surgery goes well. He was lucky. The bullet missed his vital organs. The fucker will live to ride another day. Is this relief I’m feeling? Maybe. It’s the same relief I felt when I saw Bodie was okay. But there’s no way they’re getting let off the hook that easily. They hurt me. I want them to suffer. Jason is awake when the nurse brings me to his room. The word has gotten around the hospital that their missing patient has returned, and my doctor isn’t too impressed with me. Jason and Bodie don't know this, but he signed my discharge notes while I’ve been waiting. I’m thinking about taking Dan’s advice. I’m here to say goodbye.
“Hey, beautiful,” Jason slurs his words. “Come over here and let me take a look at you.”
I sit on the side of his bed, and Jason’s eyes twitch questioningly. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“You knew about Bodie all along, didn’t you?” I say accusingly.
I can tell by the way he cringes that he’s sorry I had to find out this way.
“Did Sheriff Dan tell you to claim me?” I swallow the lump in my throat.
Silence.
I force myself to look at Jason and see his eyes drowning in anguish.
“Don’t make me repeat the question,” I say, my voice wispy and frail.
Jason’s hand curls around my wrist gently. I don’t pull away from him. I maintain eye contact as I wait.
“Yeah, but—” he stammers to explain, but I stand, having just had my worst fear confirmed.
“So, that’s it. I was just a loose end you needed to tie up.” I put on my bravest face as I look at him, my expression hard as stone. “Well, now that’s out there, you don’t need to pretend anymore. Good luck taking down Booker. Maybe I’ll see you around if I ever come back to visit.”
I watch the color drain from Jason’s face. It’s like he’s too stunned to speak, my words knocking the wind right out of him. He makes to move, but then collapses back onto the bed and grimaces with pain, his hand flying up to cover the freshly taped gauze on his chest. I feel a stab of guilt as I leave the room, but it’s quickly forgotten as I walk down the corridor. I wasn’t too harsh. My reaction is justified. I’m too busy mulling things over in my head when somebody pulls me into a dark room and insists that I hush.
“It’s me.” I recognize Bodie’s hushed murmur. “Don’t make a sound. He’s here.”
“Who’s here?” I whisper.
“Booker,” Bodie replies. “Look.” He jerks his head at the slit of glass in the door, and we both peer through it and see Mayor Booker storming down the hall with Marcus Jackal three steps behind him.
I blink hard, my heart thumping with alarm as they both enter Jason’s room.
“What do we do? They’re going in there to finish the job!” I say, panicking.
“No, they’re not. Let’s see if we can listen.” Bodie leads the way as we sneak across the corridor to eavesdrop on them.
“What do I fuckin’ owe the pleasure?” I hear Jason crudely say.
“Can’t a father come and visit his son in the hospital?” Mayor Booker replies, making my eyes bulge with that revelation.
I hear Jason snort with amusement. “You have some nerve. I’ll give you that. What the fuck is he doing here? Get him out of my face.”
“Can’t you boys just learn to get along?” Booker tries to sound all paternal as he castigates them. “If you want to behave like children, I’ll treat you like children. Marcus, say sorry to your little brother for shooting him in the chest.”
Brother!
Bodie sees my alarm and waves his hand to silence me. He puts his finger against his lips, his frown deepening.
“I wasn’t aiming at him. That stupid dick jumped in the way to save some crack whore from getting her brains blown out,” Marcus protests.
