Page 83 of Nails

When they stepped outside, the alley was quiet, lit only by a flickering streetlamp and the soft glow of a neon sign above a side door.

He immediately tucked Riley into his side, wrapping one arm around her protectively.She didn’t resist.Didn’t flinch.She just leaned into him like she belonged there.

Once they reached the intersection, they stood in the shadow of a boarded-up shop waiting for Bear.

Nails’ eyes scanned the street like he expected the asshole to come charging after them.Deep down, he wished he would, because his fists were itching for a second round.This time, without witnesses to stop him from breaking bones or killing him.

Riley was leaning against him, and exhaustion was etched in her face.He was sure that the adrenaline was wearing off.But he was a little concerned.She was quiet, too quiet, which scared him more than the blood on her shoulder or the bruising on her cheek.Riley didn’t do quiet.Even banged up, she usually had a sarcastic comeback ready to go.But right now, she was just leaning into him, her weight pressing into his side like she was trying to disappear into his jacket.

Headlights cut through the dark street, and a black SUV slowed before pulling to a stop at the curb.Bear was driving, and Jay Bird was riding shotgun.

Nails opened the back door and saw Duke, who slid over to make room.He lifted Riley into his arms without asking and settled her onto the seat with extreme care before climbing in next to her.

He met Bear’s gaze in the rearview mirror, and Bear raised his eyebrows as if asking what the hell happened.But Nails just shook his head and mouthed later.He was too pissed off at the moment to talk about it.Plus, his main concern was Riley.

Duke leaned in immediately, looking over Riley with a medic’s focus.

“What happened?”he asked quietly, already reaching into his small medic bag he kept with him.

“Sir gropes a lot, didn’t take too well when I denied him the deluxe Riley experience,” Riley said, drawing a few chuckles from the guys.However, Nails wasn’t laughing, though hearing that witty mouth of hers did make him feel a little better.

“More like VIP turned psycho,” Nails muttered, looking out the window.

Duke twisted in the seat to get a better look.“Let me see your shoulder, sweetheart.”

Riley hesitated, her fingers twitching at the zipper of her hoodie.“It’s fine—” she went to say, but Duke cut her off.

“It’s not fine.You’re bleeding through your damn jacket.Now take it off.”

Nails reached over and helped ease it off without jarring her arm too much.She winced, and he bit back a curse.

Once it was off, Duke prodded the wound, and his brows knitted.“That’s deep.And you definitely have some glass still in there.”His gaze swept over her cheek and arms.“You’ve got scratches, bruises…you’re a damn mess.”

“Thanks,” Riley muttered dryly.“You’re really boosting my self-esteem there, doc.”

Duke smirked, shaking his head.“You’re gonna live.But you need to get it cleaned up and patched up, so it doesn’t get infected.”

“Do my wounds at least make me look like a badass or like I just lost a fight with a glass coffee table?”Riley replied, drawing a laugh from the guys, though Nails just sighed.He couldn’t believe that Riley was cracking jokes at a time like this.But he didn’t say anything because, knowing Riley, she wanted to deflect as much attention as she could.

“A glass table did this?”Duke asked, looking shocked as he glanced at Nails for confirmation.

“We’ll talk about it later.Can you fix her?”Nails barked, nodding toward Riley, who looked shocked by his outburst.

Nails didn’t miss the side glances and smirks passing between Duke, Bear, and Jay Bird.

Duke looked at Nails and grinned.“Yeah, I can fix her up.We’ve got some med supplies back at the house.”

“So, no need for a hospital run?”Bear asked.

“Nah.She’ll be okay,” Duke said.

Bear put the vehicle into gear and pulled into traffic without another word.

Riley shifted slightly and leaned into his side like she needed to anchor herself somewhere.He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, being careful to avoid her injured shoulder.

For the next few minutes, the SUV was quiet.

Finally, Bear broke the silence.“You guys gonna tell us what happened?”