Page 126 of The Souls We Claim

Motorcycles.

Two of them.

I lean Bates against the wall to glance through the window and see Niro and Catalina drive straight into the clearing, weapons raised.

While I’m happy to see them, I’m happier still to see their ammunition.

I keep out of sight as they orientate themselves. Accidental shootings are a thing. Don’t want them thinking I’m on the other side. I’ve survived enough tonight, so I watch through the window.

More bikes arrive, and I step out, trying to wave one of my brothers over.

Saint is the first to see me and drives over. “You look like shit.”

I go to wipe my face, but I remember my nose is probably broken as soon as I touch it. “Motherfucker.” I point behind me. “Bates is in there, and Switch is in the house; both need a hospital.”

“By the look of it, so do you.”

“I need to get to Ari.”

My body shakes from the pain and adrenaline. Each step toward her becomes harder and harder to make. There’s a rainwater barrel, and I dip into it, splashing water on my face, no matter how much it hurts, because I don’t want Ari to see me covered in blood.

When I’m confident I’m not going to scare her, I step towards the door.

Raising my hand to show three fingers takes the last of my energy. My hand on the doorframe is the only thing keeping me standing.

The door opens in two seconds, and Ari is in my arms.

“Gentle, Ari,” I gasp as I hold her to me.

She loosens her hold, and I see her tearstained cheeks. “How badly are you hurt?”

“I’ll live,” I say. Although it might take a little while to feel human. “But there was a moment when I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do this again.” Gingerly, I cup her cheeks and kissher. It’s messy because I’m breathing hard, and my face is still wet.

And it’s everything I survived for. The sight of her. The smell of her. The feel of her wrapped around my broken body. I revel in every glorious, painful minute of it.

Every single emotion I’ve buried hits me in a maelstrom. Fear I was going to die. Loss that I’d not get the future with Ari I longed for. Shame that my brother could cause so much destruction. Fury that Jax died for nothing, getting killed in the crossfire. Terror that something could happen to Ari and Lola. Dread that Switch is, at best, brutally injured, or at worst, dead.

My heart beats uncontrollably as my arms and knees shake.

The pain of my injuries slices through me.

And Ari clings to me through all of it as she bursts into tears. “I’m so sorry it took me so long.”

I run my fingers through her hair. It comforts me as much as it soothes her. “So long to do what?”

“I had to get Catalina to show me how to use a gun, and then I couldn’t see what was happening and I was scared I was going to hit you by accident. I should have shot them sooner.”

I step back and look at her. “What?” I glance over to the safe room, which is locked. “Why are you out here? What are you?—”

Then it all suddenly makes sense. There’s a Glock on the small table by the window. And a blood trail to the safe room.

Holy fuck.My stomach drops, even as I take in her bravery.

“You dragged Switch in there and then stayed out here and shot those men.”

Ari nods, tears still falling. “But I let you get hurt first because it took so long. And I missed. I think. I don’t know how to aim so I’m not even sure what I hit. It all went so fast. But I ran out of bullets, and then I heard the bikes.”

Thoughts come too fast to process. The chances she took. The bravery and courage it required of my sweet girl. “You saved my life, Ari.”