Chapter Eleven
Dana
“Good night, Mitch,” I said to my sleeping sibling and left his hospital room. He had come out of surgery several hours earlier and according to the doctor, they had found the final laceration to his lungs. His broken ribs had been more severe than first realized. He was expected to recover, only it would take much longer than previously thought. One of the female Wolves was waiting for me when I came out: Dr. Quinn.
“He is going to be alright, they say,” she said and I nodded. She was a nice lady and a great veterinarian.
“Yeah, he should be. He will have to stay in the ICU for another few days and then heavy therapy, but he will survive,” I told her and she walked with me down the hall. I thought back to three days earlier, the last time I had seen my man. Then I had thought Mitch had just broken a few bones and that was it. All my attention had been on Jake and I and what we were going to do. Now everything was different. Mitch, the creep Tom and the dumbass Mack piled up in my mind. The only peaceful thing I could conceive of was Jake and we couldn’t be together. Not right then, maybe not ever. As I walked out the hospital doors I pulled my coat on and got out a cigarette. I had started smoking again, and right then I couldn’t care.
“Is your friend coming to get you?” Quinn asked politely. I appreciated her care, but she was a Wild Wolf, essentially, and it made me uncomfortable.
“Yes, she’ll be here soon. Is there any sign of Tom and Mack?” I asked as I inhaled the smoke.
“Not yet. The clubs are getting together tonight to deal with it. About time as far as I am concerned. There is no way they can fix this without getting together on it. They are so stubborn at times,” she said and I grimaced.
“Tell me about it,” I said sarcastically. Glancing at her I could see her blush.
“Of course, Dana, I am sorry. I just meant about the two men, not… you know,” she said, referring to me and Jake. The word was well and truly out about us now. It had taken me some time to not blame myself for what happened to Mitch. That was an accident in the truest sense of the word and I knew that. Yet he had been rushing back to see me safe when he wrecked. I shook my head and took another drag. The only good thing was he didn’t know about Jake and I. The club had decided he didn’t need to. Not then, anyway.
“I wish I could go home,” I said and winced at the childlike tone of my voice. Quinn patted my parka-covered shoulder.
“I would, too. But until we get a bead on those assholes, it is best that you don’t. Is Jake also in hiding?”
I glanced at her and hesitated. I was beginning to feel like the clubs themselves were the enemy. I knew that wasn’t right, but it was a bad feeling that wouldn’t go away. Of course, Quinn was new to the Wolves and wasn’t as club-minded over everything.
“Yeah. He is a target now, too. After he beat up Mack again, it is certain Mack wants more hurtful revenge,” I told her. Jake was not happy about it at all. He wanted to make a target of himself to draw the guys out. His club was against it. They felt it was too obvious and wouldn’t work. I wanted the both of us to announce where we were and draw them in, but no one was listening to me about it.
“I actually had the temerity to suggest that we let the cops know. I figure if there is an APB out on them they wouldn’t even be able to go for groceries without risk. That would really put the pressure on. Of course, that idea was met with complete shock,” she said with some disgust. I chuckled briefly. I could imagine.
“What has national said about the whole thing?”
“I don’t know. I suspect that they are the reason the clubs are coming together. It looks bad for everyone to have two rogue dudes like those guys. I am holding out hope that everything will be resolved by Christmas. I hate ending a year with a bad Christmas,” she said wistfully. She really was a nice woman, I thought to myself. I hugged her impulsively.
“Me, too. I really do. For all of us!” I said. Now that I had been assured that Mitch was going to be okay, I was becoming more focused on me and Jake. Last I heard from him he was still as determined as I was to find a way to make it work. I just had no idea how. I saw Tina’s Kia coming down the plowed hospital entrance and waved her over.
“Are you going to be okay, dear? Need anything?” Quinn asked. I shook my head.
“No, thank you though. Tina’s place is safe and we have some friends keeping an eye out,” I told her. It had not gone over well that I had made my own arrangements. The club felt they should look after me, but Tina had no problem telling them that they hadn’t been able to do a great job so far, so she was taking over. They couldn’t do anything since Rocky’s was neutral territory and no one wanted to risk losing a place like that. I almost chuckled at Tina’s methods as the Kia pulled up and I saw her looking out at Quinn and I.
“I’ll be back after work tomorrow, Quinn, thank you for staying with me. I appreciate the company these past few days,” I told her and she smiled softly and hugged me.
“My pleasure, Dana, take care of yourself,” she said. I assured her I would and got into the little SUV. Tina waved and said hi to Quinn and then we were off. She turned off onto a little side road that led out of town. As usual, they were taking a different route and it was one I didn’t recognize. She had a few friends who helped her by keeping an eye on their tail and for the past few days there had been no problem. I kept the hope that would continue.
“I don’t know who these friends are of yours Tina, but thank them for me,” I said. She chuckled.
“They are glad to do it. They owe me, besides, I think that neither Tom nor Mack is going to think anyone but a club member would be helping you out. So, there is a real possibility that those two are watching the clubs, not me. That or they may have finally left town for good.” I nodded and watched the night pass by out the window as we went along. The only problem I had about that was I would never know for sure if they left, unless someone sees them many miles away and reports it back. I could go a long time paranoid and unsure, I didn’t want that. It would drive me crazy.
“I got something from Jake for you. He left it at a drop place we talked about once. It is at the cabin waiting for you. So please relax,” Tina said. “You are not doing yourself any favor by stressing too much. I also told Jake the same thing.” She wagged her finger at me. I chuckled and felt some of the tightness in my chest loosen a little. She was right.
We pulled up into her driveway and I smiled. It was a nice little three-bedroom cabin she had inherited from her parents. On the fringe of town and not well known. It was beautiful and I thought it would be great to spend some time there in the summer. A nice little stream ran through the back part of the property and she had raved about that. We got out and thankfully the driveway had been shoveled and as she came around the Kia to my side the bushes next to the house began rustling. We heard somebody cursing. I jumped back and Tina stepped in front of me, holding out a tazer! Where did she get that? The bushes rattled louder. We backed up against the car in fear, the front door was on the other side of the commotion. Running into the freezing woods didn’t seem like a good idea. Were we trapped? I felt myself tremble and then a big man stepped out of the shrubs into the light, still cursing. Tina let out a loud curse.
“Dammit, Timmy, what the hell are you doing? You scared the hell out of us!”
The big redhead had a shaggy beard, a white snowsuit and was brushing snow off of himself. He looked up mildly.
“Whadya mean? I was just checking the perimeter and got caught up in the bushes. You need to have those trimmed in the spring. They are a pain in my ass,” he said and walked away, waving at me in greeting then going down the driveway. Tina let out a breath and I felt my heart rate slow down.
“Green beret, my ass,” Tina muttered and took my hand leading me up to the front porch of the cabin. “Let’s get inside where it’s warm and I won’t be tempted to go taze his ass for that,” Tina said angrily and I couldn’t help starting to chuckle and then laugh harder as we went in. I couldn’t help it, it had been a few days since anything was funny and that incident had just hit me the right way. After a moment, Tina began laughing, too, and we stood leaning on each other in her entry way laughing about a man named Timmy in the bushes.
***
“So where is that note from Jake?” I asked when I had finished my shower. I had almost forgotten about it after the scare and hilarity of the arrival at the cabin. Tina smiled, pointing at the little area off the porch where the hot tub was.
“Go get comfortable, it is in the little box on the table. I will get dinner ready. Tomorrow, you cook,” she said and waved me off before I could protest. So I didn’t and went where she indicated. I was wearing a one piece just for this occasion and saw the box as I hung up my robe. I went over and opened it eagerly. It had a note and a small cell phone. I felt a smile widen my lips as I read the note. God, I love that man, I thought as I turned on the phone and found his number. It was a throwaway phone and his was the only one in it, so it wasn’t hard.
Hey baby, I thought we could talk this way, so that there are no call logs or texts on our regular phones. I am pretty sure mine was checked by a “brother” when I wasn’t looking. It hurts that I can’t be with you to help you through this crisis, maybe this could help. I love you and wish I could hold you and console you. I know it would console me. I should be alone by six tonight if you want to call. I am thinking of you constantly and only want this all to be over and to hold you to my heart. Jake Jackhammer.
I quickly dialed his number. It was almost seven so I was sure he would be ready. It turned out I was right.
“Dana love?” His voice was a balm to my nerves and I stepped into the hot tub and sat on the bench, enjoying the warmth and the soothing sound of his love.
“It’s me, my love. Oh, how are you?” I had to ask.
“I am fine, Dana Doll. No worries. How is Mitch?” he asked and I could hear his concern. He really was a good man. I filled him in on Mitch’s condition.
“I am glad he will be alright. I can’t believe the shit storm you have had to go through. I wish I could just wave my hand, or kick someone's ass, to make it right for you,” he said with a sigh.
“I know, love. I want it over, too. Thankfully no one is after Mitch so he is safe in the hospital and we are safe in our hiding, but dammit, I don’t want to hide anymore!” I said. His voice was soothing but it also reminded me of what I was missing and my frustration rose.
“I hear ya, babe. I almost got into it with Toby and Jon. Jon is so mellow, he just keeps saying ‘patience’ as if it was some kind of talisman that will make everything better. It made me want to smack him in the mouth,” Jake said, showing his frustration, too. I chuckled.
“Yeah, Quinn was saying similar things. She thinks it will all end in time for a happy Christmas. I only wish it will, with both of us together,” I said.
“Me, too. If those two troublemakers aren’t found soon I will go looking for them myself. I still can’t believe Mack got away from Billy. I am told he is so furious about it no one will even mention Mack’s name. Probably smart of everyone. Somehow, Mack has learned to be sneaky when he never used to be. I am thinking that creeper Tom may have taught him some things,” Jake said, exasperated.
“Maybe, I don’t know Mack so I’ll take your word for it, love. I don’t even know Tom!” I said.
“I know. Most victims of stalkers don’t actually know the people following them. Mack is bad enough, but that twisted little shit really ain’t right in the head. I wish I knew how those two met. The only thing I can think of is Mack was looking for me and ran into Tom looking for you. Maybe creeps attract creeps,” he said thoughtfully. It struck me as funny. As I laughed, Jake joined me and Tina came in and set a drink near me on the edge of the tub, smiling before leaving. When we both calmed down I took a sip and it was a hot, buttered rum. Heaven.
“I am so lucky I should stop whining. I have you, and Tina is treating me like a queen. I may be paying her back for this down the road but I don’t care. If I can’t be pampered by you I will take what I can get,” I told him and sipped my drink and reached for my smokes. I had left them in the pocket of my robe on purpose. I lit one and sighed smoke.
“It makes me happy to know you are being taken care of when I can’t. You know love, I have been thinking and when this current crisis is over, what would you think of just running away together. Fuck this town and take off,” he said and I felt a surge of pleasure at the idea. I was surprised he had thought of it.
“Are you sure you could leave the club, Jake? I know how long you have been with them,” I said softly, trying not to hope.
“They helped me become a man worthy of your love,” he said. “Unfortunately, they are blocking that very thing now. Maybe it is time they and I parted ways. It would surely solve a lot of problems on their end.”
“That is a good idea, baby. Mitch can have the house, or sell it for all I care. Mom and Dad had mentioned in their will that selling it was an option, they wouldn’t mind and neither would I. I can get a job as a tax accountant almost anywhere.”
“Are you sure? I know you have roots here,” he said.
“I am sure, Jake. You have as much roots as I do. Honestly, I almost didn’t come back after school. The idea of starting over in the town I grew up in felt impossible at first. Frankly, I don’t want to live here if I can’t have you, too. Mitch will do well whether I am here or not. I have one request, though.” I took another sip and drag of the smoke.
“Anything, love.”
“Can we go someplace warm? This cold shit is getting old,” I told him quite honestly and he laughed. “I am serious!” I said.
“I know you are. Yes, darling, wherever you want to go,” he said and I giggled as an idea came to mind.
“How about Key West?” I asked as Tina came in again with two plates of food.
“If you two are disappearing to Key West,” she blurted in, “I am going with you!” I heard Jake laugh on the other end and didn’t have to ask if he’d heard her. It was good to have friends and a lover who cares. As stressful as the day had been, it was ending better than I could have hoped.