When we got back to the compound, Crazy Ace could barely pull into the parking lot for all the people milling around. I’m sure word had spread, and now everyone was on edge. Once he put the car in park, I threw open the door, not caring if it hit anyone who was standing by. When I pulled myself to my feet, Alex cried out at being manhandled to ensure she stayed in my arms. I shoved my way through the crowd, ignoring the questions peppered at me.
“All right. Get the fuck out of the way. What the hell is wrong with you guys? Give the poor girl some air!” Kim’s voice bellowed behind me. I turned around and gave her a grateful smile. She nodded and then started walking away from the car. Like the iron bitch only she could be, she led the way inside the clubhouse, knocking people aside or smacking them back if they got too close.
Once we were inside, I hustled Alex back to my room. Thankfully, someone had had the presence of mind to call Breakneck Bob, also known as Dr. Robert Edgeway. He stood outside my room with his medicine case in hand. Breakneck had been an original charter member of the Raiders. At first everyone thought he was just some preppy upstart trying to show he had a pair by riding a motorcycle. But even though he was in medical school and came from one of the finest families in town, Breakneck was the real deal when it came to a biker. He’d patched out several years back, when the hospital threatened his license for being a member of the Raiders. Now he stayed close with the club by being our unofficial club doctor.
“Hey, man. Glad you could make it,” I said as I swept past him into my room.
“I’m sorry that I had to be called out for something like this,” he replied. He ducked in behind me, setting his bag on the nightstand.
Gently, I laid Alexandra down on the bed. When she saw Breakneck, she clawed at me not to let her go. “Easy, now. He’s one of us, but more important, he’s a doctor. He needs to check on your injuries.”
“Stay with me,” she whispered, clutching my hand.
I nodded. “I will.”
Breakneck gave Alex a gentle smile. “My name is Dr. Edgeway, but you can call me Bob. I’m going to take good care of you.”
His words did little to ease Alexandra. Before he began to examine her, he dug in his bag and produced a bottle and a syringe. “I’m going to give you just a little something for the pain. It will also calm you down.”
She gave a slight jerk of her head while her eyes remained firmly locked on mine. After the shot, Alex became a little calmer. He went through a bunch of procedures, from shining a light in her eyes to listening to her heartbeat. He examined the cuts and scrapes on her face and chest, proclaiming they would need to be cleaned and disinfected.
When his fingers came to her bare abdomen, Alex jumped out of her skin. “I’m just palpitating your organs to make sure there’s no internal bleeding.”
Gritting her teeth, she gripped my hand tighter and tighter. “Looks like you’re okay in that area, but I’m afraid you’ve got a bruised shoulder. I can’t tell for sure without an X-ray machine.”
“Okay,” I replied.
“Alex, I have to ask you this to see if I need to further my exam. Were you sexually assaulted tonight?”
Tears pooled in Alex’s dark eyes, but she shook her head firmly back and forth. I couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped my lips. I knew she had been through hell, being beaten and strung up like she had, but I didn’t think I could bear for her to have been raped because of me.
“I’ll come by and see how you’re doing in the morning. For tonight, I would advise you get cleaned up and then try to get some rest. I’ll wait outside until you’re ready to sleep, and then I can give you something.”
“Okay,” Alex murmured.
Breakneck nodded and then gathered up his case. When he slipped out the door, I turned to Alex. “You want Mama Beth or Kim to help you with a shower?”
“You. I want you.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I know we’ve messed around, but I’ll have to see all of you, and you’ve already been through so much tonight.”
“I need you to take care of me, Deacon.”
I exhaled a frustrated breath. “Babe, I gotta be honest. I can beat the hell out of the scum who hurt you, but this tender-loving-care shit?” I shook my head. “I ain’t cut out for it.”
“You’re doing just fine so far.”
“Fuck.” I grunted before rising up off the side of the bed. Leaning over, I drew her to me, picking her up off the mattress.
When I got to the door, she yelped in surprise. “Where are you taking me?”
“To the house.”
“Okay,” she whispered before ducking her head to my chest.
Breakneck followed along with us, occasionally stepping in front of me to direct people out of our way. I couldn’t remember the last time the clubhouse had been so packed. But anytime an attack went out on the club in any form, members from all over started to come in.
Kim fell in step with us as we made the silent journey down the road to Mama Beth’s. I wasn’t surprised to see her standing on the front porch when we walked up. Worry etched across her face as I climbed the stairs.
Without a word, I walked straight to the bathroom. Before I shut the door, I glanced over my shoulder. “Rev and Bishop are bringing her things. Lay out something for her.”
“Of course. Anything she needs,” Mama Beth replied.
I kicked the door shut with my boot. Then I eased Alex down on the toilet. She looked so fucking fragile sitting there. With her pale skin, she looked like a china doll that might shatter to pieces. Spinning around, I turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature to lukewarm. I knew anything too hot would be hell on her skin where she’d been lashed.