Page 55 of Porter (Dirty Misfits MC 2)
Then, I saw movement in the shadows near the alleyway.
“Astrid,” I whispered.
She groaned as the movement happened again.
“Astrid, wake up,” I hissed.
She yawned. “What?”
“Come here. I see something.”
She groaned. “Porter, quit being paranoid.”
But then, the figure emerged.
Not only did the figure emerge into the light, though, but they stared right up at the window. Right up into my eyes as I glared down at them. I stood to my feet and watched as the hooded figure kept his gaze turned up toward the window. And while I couldn’t see their eyes, I knew damn good and well we were being watched.
So, I took matters into my own hands and pulled out my cell phone.
“What are you doing?” Astrid asked.
I peeked over my shoulder as I held my cell phone to my ear. “I know you won’t believe me, but we’re being watched. I’m getting us out of here.”
She rushed over to me. “Wait, are you being serious right now?”
I nodded. “Look out the window. Down at the alleyway. You’ll see.”
And when she did as I asked, tears rushed her eyes.
“Get us out of here,” she murmured.
Cole groaned as he picked up the phone. “Hey, you good?”
I peeked back out the window. “No, we’re not good. I need you to place one of your phone calls.”
He groaned. “What for?”
“It’s a long story, but I’m in the hospital with Astrid’s best friend, Josie.”
“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Brooks called me earlier and told me about that. Said to possibly expect you guys heading here after the hospital.”
“I need you to call and have us discharged immediately. Do whatever it is you do.”
He paused. “What’s wrong?”
I watched the hooded figure fade back into the shadows. “We’re being watched, Cole. In the hospital. Whoever did this to Josie knows where we are. We aren’t safe here.”
He shuffled around on the other end of the line. “Give me five minutes to get my voice clear and I’ll have you guys out of there. I’ll come get you myself. What exit do you want me at?”
“There’s an exit on the west side of the building. We’re right by the elevator that takes us down there. We need out of here and quickly.”
“On it.”
I hung up the phone with Cole and slid my phone back into my pocket. And with a minute or so to spare, a nurse came in and started the discharge paperwork for Josie. I saw the displeased expression on the nurse’s face. I knew she wasn’t a fan of whatever orders she had been given. But thirty minutes later, we were free to go and headed down the elevator with Josie in my arms.
Before Cole pulled up.
“Get in, and hurry. I saw two bikes headed in the opposite direction. I think I know who was watching you,” he said.
I slid Josie into the backseat. “Astrid, get in with her. I’ll ride up front with Cole.”
The fact that he even mentioned bikes told me everything I needed to know, and I quickly pulled my phone out to call Brooks.
But when my ass touched the passenger’s seat of Cole’s car, a phone call from Brooks came rushing through.
“Tell me you have something,” I said as we pulled away from the hospital.
“I’ve got more than something. I know who beat up Josie. We need church. You with Cole?”
I nodded. “We’re heading back to the clubhouse. I’ve got Astrid with me. Josie will need a room.”
“She can have mine!” Archer yelled in the background.
I furrowed my brow. “You with the rest of the guts?”
“Yep. We’re already here. You guys keep your wits about you and get back here, though. We have a lot of talking to do.”
I hung up the phone. “Cole?”
He cleared his throat. “Yep?”
I looked over at him. “Step on it. We need to get back, and fast.”
We raced through town and didn’t once stop until we pulled up to the clubhouse. Brooks was the first to greet us on the porch before he leapt off, charging for the backseats. I slid out and watched Brooks embrace his sister before we all helped Josie out of the car.
And one by one, I watched the guys’ jaws drop open at the sight of her.
“Jesus fuck,” Brooks whispered.
“What in the ever-loving hell?” Tanner murmured.
“Put her in Archer’s room, Brooks,” Cole said with command, “and Archer, can you get my suitcases out from beneath my bed and drag them in there? I’m gonna need every tool in my belt to get her back in working order.”
“I don’t wanna…” Josie murmured.
She groaned in pain and I halted everything so she could speak.
“What was that?” Astrid asked.
Josie opened her eyes for the first time and tears mixed with blood streaked her cheeks.
“I don’t wanna… be… a burden,” she choked out.
Astrid kissed her cheeks and wiped away her tears. “You’ll never be anything near that, okay? Cole’s gonna take very good care of you, and I’m not leaving your side. I promise, okay?”
