Page 58 of Creed

“You want to beat on my woman, you piece of shit? By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be pissing and eating through a tube.” I punch him again and again, over and over. He lands one weak punch to my side, but not enough to make me waver.

Adrenaline pumps through me as I put everything behind my punches. The years of him harassing my brothers, the insecurity I’ve seen in Morgan’s eyes because of him, and my fury at his audacity to lay a hand on her. There’s a ringing in my ears, my mind blank with anger. It takes several moments before I blink and come back to reality.

My face is pressed into the itchy grass, aches blooming in my arms and back as the sharp cold metal of handcuffs tighten on my wrists. A knee pressed into my back adds more pressure before they roll off, and multiple hands pull me to stand.

Viper is on the side, his eyes wide and blood splattered on his face as he stares at me. I’ve never seen my brother look so scared. A deputy is keeping him back, a hand pressed into his chest. My attention moves to the man lying still on the ground. I swallow a rough ache in my throat at the blood and mess of his face.

The deputy pushes me toward his car. “Pray he survives, Ortega. Just fucking pray.”

24

MORGAN

I pressmy hand against the glass. “Where is he going?”

Neither answer me. Dodge’s hands tighten on the steering wheel, Autumn’s gaze watching as Viper takes off after Creed.

Tingles start to dry my tongue. Deep down I know. I’ve lived in this town long enough now; I know where that street leads.

The car doors lock, and my gaze snaps up to meet Dodge’s in the mirror.

“Creed can handle himself. You’ll only distract him if you’re there. The best place for you is the hospital.”

Tears blur my vision. “He’ll kill him. Please. I can’t—I can’t…” Live without him. I need Creed, need our baby. That’s all that matters to me now. It became clear as soon as my father threw the beer at me. The only life I want to live is one with Creed in it with me and the family we’re starting.

Dodge shakes his head, pulling out his phone. “Gage, we’re going to have a problem.”

I wipe the tears from my only good eye and catch Autumn’s gaze. She reaches back, holding out her hand and I grab it, squeezing it gently.

“Try to relax…for the baby.”

Dodge doesn’t say anything. Instead, he pushes the car faster, straight to the hospital, sparing a few glances at Autumn. When we pull into the parking lot, there’s a few more bikers waiting for us, watching on their bikes. It clogs my throat with emotion. They barely know me, but they care about Creed so they’ll watch out for me since I’m his.

Dodge nods at them as Autumn helps me out of the car and ushers me inside. In a haze I fill out forms and wait. Time drags slower with each minute that Creed doesn’t show up.

By the time I’m led to a room, Autumn at my side, I’m exhausted. I can barely answer the questions that they ask and breathe out a sigh of relief when the last remaining doctor after hours of poking and examining gives us the news.

“No concussion, baby looks good. We can keep you for a night of observation, or we can discharge you with the promise that you’ll take it easy,” the doctor explains with a kind smile.

If anything, she probably wants to get rid of the horde of bikers that keep coming and going outside in the lobby.

“Thank you. I’d like to leave.”

She nods. “I’ll get the paperwork started.” As soon as she leaves, I turn back to Autumn. “Can you take me by the station? I have to get my stuff.”

“I don’t think Dodge will?—”

“No, just me and you. They won’t notice if it’s just the two of us.”

She looks a little panicked as she chews on her lip, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. “They’re going to be so mad if we leave without them.”

I snort and wince at how much it hurts. “They will be, but they’ll get over it. I need to do this without causing more tension.”

She doesn’t look convinced. Her hand drops to her stomach. “It’s just like a safety thing?—”

“No one is dumb enough to attack us at the sheriff’s department. Suck his dick or something if he gets mad.”

She lets out a bark of laughter. “Oh god. Funny enough, I think it would work.”