Chapter Two
Tank
He wasn’t sure what was worse, sitting through another wedding or seeing his fellow brothers all fall in love around him. He’d had that once and it nearly killed him when he lost it, but over the last year, loneliness had hit him hard. He missed having that special someone to confide in, to talk to after a long day at work.
So often he’d wondered about the ‘what ifs’. But it never got him anywhere — except drunker. After the accident that took his wife and unborn child, alcohol was the only thing that brought him comfort. It was the only thing that made the darkness in his soul a little more bearable. It made the pain of loss a little more tolerable.
“How’s it going?” Tank turned at the sound of the voice.
“I’m alright, Reap. How about yourself?”
“Honestly, I’m okay. It’s getting better. Days like today make things a little easier.”
“Dude, Rachel’s accident was not your fault. There is no way you could have prevented it. You got there as fast as you could.” Tank felt sorry for the bastard. He carried so much unnecessary guilt for Rachel’s paralysis. “Stop carrying the blame for something you had no control over. All it will do is eat you alive from the inside out.”
“I could tell you the same thing.”
Tank looked into Reaper’s eyes. For a man like him, Reaper understood people and feelings better than anyone Tank had ever met. Five minutes alone with you, and he could tell a person’s deepest fears and wants. The guy was scary as fuck.
“Our situations are completely different.”
“Are they?”
“Yes. They are. She was my wife. I drove her out of the house that night. It was my fault. If I would have just shut the fuck up, she’d still be here today.”
“Are you sure about that? I’m pretty sure she would have gotten tired of your shit by now and left.”
“Fuck you, man,” Tank chuckled. “But shit, you’re probably right.”
“Fuck probably,” Reaper retorted. “I’m absolutely right.”
“Okay.” Tank raised his hands in surrender.
“But anyway, the reason I came over is because we need your help,” Reaper said.
“With?”
“Sledge found a doctor that might be able to help Rachel walk again.”
“Are you serious?” Tank asked, shock evident in his voice.
Over the last year, he and Rachel had become close friends. When Diesel had to leave for work, Tank would stay behind at the couple’s cabin to help. Rachel was like his little sister. He would do anything for her.
“Yep,” Reaper smiled.
“Have you told him what we found?” Both men turned to see Sledge walking towards them.
“We’re talking about it now,” Reaper answered.
“So you found someone to help her?” Tank asked, hope blooming in his chest.
“I think so,” Sledge answered. “It’s worth a shot. From my research and Banjo’s, this doctor is the best.”
“Who is it?” Tank asked.
“It’s the eldest daughter of Pope Kimber, President of the Iron Angels.”
“Iron Angels?” Tank asked, eyebrow raised. “Wow.”
Now Tank was definitely surprised. The Iron Angels were a female-only MC. A bunch of hardcore, take-no-shit women who had no qualms about stepping into a man’s world. Most of them, especially Pope and her daughters, were ball busters. He didn’t know her oldest daughter, but he had met Piper and Scarlet on a few occasions. Those two were scary bitches. He could only imagine what the oldest and next in line to take over the MC would be like.
And she was a doctor?
“They are a bunch of rowdy women, but they all have hearts of gold,” Reaper said, as if reading Tank’s mind.
“You’ve met them?” Tank asked.
“Yeah,” Reaper replied. “Years ago, when I was a kid. My dad did a rescue mission with Pope. Shit got crazy and her oldest daughter came to stay with us for a while afterwards. Then a few years back, when Sledge and I were putting the club together, we did a job for Pope and I had the privilege of meeting the other girls, too.”
“So who is the doctor?” Tank asked. He wasn’t a hundred percent on-board with this yet. Getting involved with another MC could be tricky, even if it was just a few doctor’s appointments.
“Sapphire Kimber,” Sledge said. “Graduated from John Hopkins. Number one in her class. Started her own practice directly afterwards and has become incredibly successful. Ranked as the top physical therapist in the country.”
“Damn!” This day was just full of surprises. “So what do you need me to do?”
“I need you to take Rachel to her appointment next Tuesday,” Sledge answered. “Diesel will be leaving on a short trip, but I wanted to get Rachel in as soon as possible.”
“I gotcha,” Tank replied. “I’ll take her.”
“Thanks, man,” Sledge smiled. “I have a good feeling about this.”
“Do Rachel and D know?”
“Not yet,” Sledge grinned. “It’s a wedding gift. All expenses will be paid by the club.”
“Aw,” Tank grinned. “If our enemies could see you now. All mushy, with a heart, and shit.”
The smile fell from Sledge’s face and his eyes narrowed on Tank. Any other time, Tank might have been worried, but not now. The look caused him and Reaper to bust out in laughter.
“What are y’all over here scheming about?” All three guys turned to see Diesel pushing Rachel towards them.
She really did make a beautiful bride. Tank was so happy for her and Diesel.
“Well,” Sledge answered. Tank watched in astonishment as Sledge looked uncertainly between him and Reaper. Tank had never seen the man looking so unsure.
“Well, what?” Rachel asked.
Seeing that Sledge was struggling, Tank cleared the distance between him and Rachel and kneeled down in front of her.
“What are you doing?” she inquired.
“I was going to ask you to marry me, but since you went off and married this jackass today,” Tank pointed to Diesel, “I guess I am just going to have to let you know that Sledge and the rest of the Henchmen have a surprise for you.”
“First, we would never work as a married couple,” Rachel laughed. “Second, what surprise?”
Tank turned back to look at Sledge, but the man still looked uncertain.
“Really, Prez?” Tank asked, shaking his head.
“What is it?” Rachel now sounded nervous.
“You have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday,” Tank answered.
“Appointment for what?” Diesel finally spoke up.
“We found a doctor that might be able to help Rachel get out of that chair,” Reaper replied.
For a few minutes nobody said a word. Rachel looked from one Henchmen to the next, clearly unsure of what to say. Tank wanted to grab her up and hold her tight. He could see the flame of hope blossoming in her eyes. For her sake, he prayed Sapphire Kimber could create miracles.
“Really?”
“Yes,” Reaper answered. “Tank will take you to the appointment...”
“I can take her,” Diesel interrupted.
“No you can’t,” Sledge finally chimed in. “You are leaving Monday on an assignment, down to the border.”
“Can’t Tank go in my place?” Diesel asked.
“Gonzales will only work with you. You already know that,” Sledge replied.
“Shit.”
“Sorry, man,” Sledge said, sympathy evident in his voice. “But I promise, Rachel and Tank will give you a full report.”
“Absolutely, baby.” Tank felt the ever present pang in his chest as he watched Rachel gaze up at her new husband. Love shining in her eyes, she sent him a smile that could melt the polar icecaps.
Rachel then turned that same smile towards the others standing around her.
“Thank you,” she choked out as small tears rolled down her cheeks. “This is the best gift.”
Everyone watched as Sledge gave a jerking nod of his head and walked away. Emotions were high for everyone today. Even though it had been almost a year since the fire, they all knew this event came within a breath of never happening.
“I love you guys,” Rachel whispered.
“We love you too, Rach,” Tank answered for the entire group.
“Okay,” Reaper announced, getting everyone’s attention. “It’s party time! Let’s get this shit done!”
“Definitely,” Rachel smiled. “Let’s do this shit.”
All at once, every head turned her direction. Mouths hanging open, the crew was silent.
“Seriously y’all?” Rachel laughed. “I do know a few cuss words.”
“But you never use them,” Tank said in astonishment.
With a shrug of her shoulders, Rachel wheeled herself away from the group and headed towards the reception area.