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“Better.” She handed him her empty mug and sighed. “I’m sorry I freaked out over the blood.”
“Don’t be.” He got up, surprised to find his legs stiff from kneeling. Then he pulled his burner cell phone out of his back pocket and dialed.
Mace answered on the first ring. “What do you need, brother?”
Hawk sat on the edge of the desk, noticing for the first time the plate of homemade chocolate cookies J.R. had left for Izzy, and laid out the situation for the club’s treasurer who also happened to be a doctor. He ended with, “Can you get me a bottle of antibiotics?”
“No prob. I’m on the road right now with Acid, but I’ll drop off a bottle at the Powder House tomorrow afternoon at church. In the meantime, keep the wound clean and dry.”
“Already on it.” He shut his phone and placed it on the desk. “When I get your antibiotics tomorrow afternoon, I’ll drop them off here. In the meantime, you can take some ibuprofen. It will help with the pain and swelling.”
She held her arm against her breasts, making sure to keep her hand above the level of her heart. “Thank you. Although I doubt I’ll need antibiotics.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I know what people say about taking too many antibiotics, but I’ve also seen infections turn into sepsis. That means, tonight, you need to watch out for any confusion or disorientation, shortness of breath, fever—”
“I know what sepsis is.” She placed the mug on the end table and tried to stand—until he gently pushed her back on the couch. “I promise to come find you if I think I see gangrene setting in.”
He frowned. “Just promise me you’ll rest.”
Tish opened the office door and surveyed the room. “Izzy needs to get back to work.” She glanced at the tea and cookies on the desk and raised an eyebrow. “J.R. never brings me cookies.”
He grabbed the plate and held it out to Izzy. “Eat one.”
She grabbed two cookies and bit into one. “Tish, I’ll be okay in a few minutes—”
“I don’t think she should work tonight.” He found the packet of ibuprofen tablets in the first aid kit and used his teeth to rip open the plastic. “She can’t get that hand wet.”
“Fine.” Tish sighed heavily and rubbed the back of her neck. “But I still need help.”
“We have three prospects out there.” Hawk handed Izzy two pills and the second cup of tea. Then he gave Tish a smile he hoped would lessen her stress. “I’ll tell them to do whatever you need. Even if it includes cleaning bathrooms.”
Tish raised an eyebrow. “Are they old enough to serve alcohol?”
Hawk tilted his head. He honestly wasn’t sure. “Uh, sure.”
Tish’s hands landed on her hips and she shook her head. Despite the aggravation in her eyes, she wore a small smile. “You really need to learn how to lie, Hawk. You might want to take some lessons from Eagle. He’s a master.”
A truth Hawk knew well. “I’ll try harder next time.” He glanced at Izzy. Color had returned to her cheeks, and she’d finished one cookie and was working on another. “Rest here for a bit. Don’t go up to your apartment until you’re sure you’re steady on your feet.”
“I’m really okay,” she said around a mouthful of chocolate chip cookies.
Tish’s cell phone rang, and she took it out of her back pocket. It was an old-fashioned prepaid burner phone because she, like him and his brothers, preferred to have some privacy alongside their access to the digital world. She read the text and frowned. “I need to get back to the bar.” She snapped the phone shut and tossed it at Izzy. Izzy caught it with her good hand, and Tish smiled. Except the look on her face had so many hard edges, it could cut glass. “Go home, Izzy. Hawk’s prospects will finish your shift tonight.”
Izzy dropped the phone onto the couch, next to her thigh. “Thanks.”
Tish opened the door leading into the hallway. “Hurry up, Hawk. I’ve got customers waiting.”
He handed Izzy the last cookie and nodded at her teacup. “Finish these. Do you need anything else?”
She shook her head. “Thank you.”
He held up a hand. “Don’t thank me yet.” Then he winked at her. “I’m still trying to rack up points.” She looked away, but her laughter followed him into the hallway. And while part of his mind was focused on her sexy legs and full tits that filled out her T-shirt, the other part desperately wanted to know what message she’d gotten on Tish’s cell phone. Because he knew that Izzy didn’t have a phone of her own.
ChapterThree
Once alone in the room, Izzy placed the teacup on the end table, finished the cookie, and opened Tish’s flip phone. She pressed her aching hand against her chest while she read the very short text:
$50000 untraceable cash
