“I’m on my way.”
I was in such a panic, I’d all but forgotten I had Corry with me. I didn’t even tell him where we were going as I raced towards the clubhouse. The kid just hung on for dear life, never saying a fucking word, and he remained silent as we pulled through the gate and parked at the back door. I wasted no time getting off my bike and starting inside. I’d just reached for the door when I heard Corry ask, “Should I just hang out here?”
“Damn.” I turned around and found Corry standing by my bike. The poor kid looked completely freaked out, and I couldn’t blame him. Seeing the size of the clubhouse, the enormous fence surrounding us, and the gate with the prospects standing guard was a lot to take in—especially for a sheltered kid like him. I motioned him to come forward as I said, “No. Come on. You can hang out in the family room.”
“Cool.”
Looking like he’d just won the lottery, Corry came rushing over and followed me inside. I led him down to the family room and took a quick second to point out the remote. “Hang here. Watch TV or whatever but stay put. Do not move from this room.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I mean it, Corry. No fucking around.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll stay right here.”
I nodded, then raced down the hall to the infirmary. When I walked in, the whole fucking crew was standing in the corner, watching as Doc worked his magic on Country. Even from across the room, I could see that Country was pretty fucked up. His eyes were almost swollen shut, his lip was busted, swollen and bleeding, and his face was covered in bruises. And that was just his fucking face. His entire body was covered in contusions and blood, and there were two gaping wounds on his side where he’d been fucking stabbed. It wasn’t a state I’d ever want to find my brother in. In fact, it pissed me the fuck off. I leaned towards Menace as I asked, “How’s he doing?”
“Hard to tell.” Menace never took his eyes off Country as he continued, “Look at him...He’s barely moved since we brought him in.”
“Still no idea who did this shit?”
“No clue. I tried checking the security feed. Only saw a few guys hanging out in the front lot, but they were wearing hoods, and I couldn’t make out their faces. Not that it mattered. I’m not even sure they’re the ones who did this shit.”
“So, how we gonna find out?”
“Gonna have to wait on Country. Hoping he’ll be able to tell us something.” Menace turned to me as he said, “Doesn’t matter. One way or another, I’m gonna find who did this, and when I do, we’re gonna make them pay for what they did to Country.”
“Damn straight we are.”
I looked over to Rafe, and it was clear from his expression, he was struggling to see Country in such a state. We all were. Country was always the life of the party. Hell, you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, and it hurt to see him fighting for his life. We all watched as Viper went up behind Doc and asked, “Whatcha think?”
“They got him good. I’ll give them that.” Doc continued to tend to the largest of the two wounds. “They nicked his liver, but not enough to cause him any major trouble. Looks like one of ‘em might’ve been using a set of brass knuckles. He’s got a few pretty bad contusions, a concussion, and several bruised ribs.”
“Well, damn. They did a real number on him.”
“Sure did. I figure they’re trying to make a point with all this. Either a threat or a retaliation.” Doc shook his head. “Either way, I’ll get him patched up and back on his feet.”
Viper stepped closer, and anguish marked his face as he looked down at Country. Viper wasn’t one to let his emotions get the best of him. He was hard, tough as nails, and never let anyone or anything get him down. So it was tough to see him look so distraught as he leaned down and whispered, “I need you to hang in there, brother. Stay strong. We’ll get the motherfuckers who did this shit. I promise ya that.”
Country didn’t respond. Instead, he just lay there, passed out cold, and it was all I could do to keep myself from going over there to shake him and yell. I wanted to do something to bring him around, but Country was young, strong, and determined. He would come around eventually, but for now, I and everyone in that room would just have to wait. Viper looked to Doc as he said, “I want to know the second he wakes up.”
“You got it, Prez.”