Page 108 of The First Cut

She takes a shuddering breath and starts slowly. Once those floodgates open, she doesn’t stop, not until she passes out from exhaustion in my arms. I grab my cell from beside my leg and stop the recording.

The more she spoke, the more I could feel the cold seep into me as I shut down, trying to hold my anger at bay and stop my monster from taking over. Driller will pay for what he did to her. Havoc will just have to wait his turn.

Slipping the phone into my jeans pocket, I ease myself into a better position before I lift Lola in my arms. The dogs look at me, ready to follow. I decide, fuck it. I have nothing more precious that needs protecting than the woman in my arms.

“Come on boys.” I whistle softly and wait until they are beside me before heading to the clubhouse.

The backdoor is propped open as I approach so I walk right in and head up the stairs toward the bedrooms. A couple of club girls pass us, laughing and batting their eyes at me, but I’m immune to it all. As I pass one of the bedrooms, it opens, and Gunther walks out. He takes one look at Lola in my arms and freezes.

“Fuck, is she okay?”

I tilt my head and study him. His reaction seems genuine, but I still don’t know these guys well enough to be sure.

“She passed out from exhaustion. It’s been a long day.”

His jaw tenses. “Havoc gone?”

I nod.

“Good. I know he’s the head honcho now, but him being here hurts her.” He nods to Lola.

“There’s a lot of shit that hurts her, Gunther. Far as I can tell, this woman has been bleeding out for years, and not one fucker noticed.”

His shoulders drop. “It’s a whole complicated mess, but that’s not an excuse.”

“No, it’s not. I’m taking her upstairs, and then I’m calling church. I want everyone there, Gunther. There are no excuses, so you might as well go and warn them all now.”

“I’m on it, Prez.” He looks down at the dogs sitting patiently at my feet.

“Want me to take them back out?”

“No. There are dozens of bikers here capable of defending this place, but the only ones I can rely on to defend Lola, other than me, are them. They stay.”

“I won’t hurt her either, Hannibal. I swear it.”

“Funny how, as men, we always think it’s fists that hurt the worst, but it’s not. It’s knowing she’s been screaming at the top of her lungs and been surrounded by nothing but blind eyes and deaf ears.”

I adjust her in my arms and take her up the next flight of steps to the bedroom that used to be Khan’s. I had it stripped out and my furniture from back home brought in. Other than the night Lola and Millie crashed here, I’ve hardly used this space, preferring to spend my nights with Lola beside me.

I lay her on the bed and slip her shoes off before tugging the comforter up over her. Tucking her hair behind her ear, I stare down at her for a moment, trying to understand how a man could look at her and want to hurt her. I don’t get it. I’m not one to shy away from violence. Far from it, I bask in all its bloody glory. But the thought of hurting Lola's so abhorrent that it makes me want to strike a match and watch this place burn with each of its members inside it.

Leaning down, I kiss her shoulder before tapping the bed. The dogs, understanding what I’m asking, jump up and lie on either side of her, one resting their head on her thigh, the other on her calf.

“Guard,” I order them. I take out my cell, call Jolene, and tell her what’s going on.

“That poor girl.” She sniffs. “Take all the time you need, Hannibal. Lola expressed so I have plenty of milk for Evan. I’ll do some batch cooking with Millie and get you guys set up for the next few days so she can rest.”

“Thanks, Jolene.”

“Anytime, Hannibal.”

I hang up and take my leave, knowing she’ll be safe here with the dogs, and head downstairs.

It’s noisy down here and busy, telling me most, if not all, of the brothers are in attendance already, which makes my life easier.

Gunther spots me and walks over. “I’ve called the ones that aren’t here and told them to get here ASAP for an emergency church meeting. Just gotta let this lot know.”

“That won’t be an issue.” Knowing the bedrooms are soundproofed, I pull out my gun and fire off a round into the floor.