Page 26 of Healed

“You brought it.”

“And I’m leaving it.”

Rachel stared at him.

Dante stared back.

Even through the pain, I had to admire the commitment. Most men had a basic survival instinct. Dante looked at his old lady, who was covered in blood and rage, and still chose to provoke the grim reaper.

“I’m not getting on the back of your bike while Vienna is half-dead in the car.”

“Hey, I’m not half-dead,” I tried protesting, but neither of them heard me.

“Fine, don’t get on the back of it. Ride it yourself.”

“I’m not doing that either.”

“Well, I’m not leaving my bike in Rider territory.”

“We can send someone back for it.”

“And risk it being touched by these degenerates? Absolutely not.”

“Your priorities are appalling,” Rachel hissed at him.

“My priorities are excellent. Bike, brothers, old lady. In that order.”

“Oh, real nice, Dante. Interesting that your children didn’t make the list.”

“They’re safely at the clubhouse.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

Gabriella, who had been watching the exchange with the dazed expression of a woman who had reached the limit of what her brain could process and had simply decided to accept madness as a coping mechanism, suddenly lifted her hand.

“I’ll drive.”

Every head turned towards her.

She swallowed, then looked at Dante. “I will never get in another car with you for as long as I live. And no offence, but I don’t trust that your old lady is any better.”

Rachel put a hand to her chest. “I am deeply offended.”

“No, you’re not,” I laughed.

“No, I’m not,” Rachel agreed. “But I’m a better driver than Dante.”

“Debatable,” Dante scoffed.

Gabriella glanced at me then, and the humour, small as it was, slipped from her face. “Vienna can lie down in the back. You two can ride the bike home. I’ll drive the car.”

Dante looked like he wanted to argue. Rachel looked like she was daring him to try. I looked like I might pass out standing up, which probably settled the matter more effectively than any of us did.

“Fine,” Dante said eventually. “But you follow close.”

“I know the way,” Gabriella rolled her eyes.

“That wasn’t the instruction.”