“Yes, please. Like right now. I need it. I got puked on again today. It was this really cute kid, but puke is puke.”
“I heard,” she said in amusement. “I’ll buy the first round.”
“I’m so glad I’m off the next few days.” I slid into my clothes and grabbed my purse, and then we headed to the elevators.
“Careful, it sounds like you’re starting to enjoy your free time.”
“Am I a fan of the erratic scheduling? No. But I’m digging the idea of several days off. It’s almost like a mini vacation.”
“We need those every now and again,” Peyton assured me. “Emily’s meeting us over there in a bit. She said to order her a vodka soda.”
“She wants it ready and waiting,” I said with a laugh.
The elevator doors opened into the lobby, and we stepped out. I dug around in my purse, looking for a piece of gum.
“Linden,” Peyton said.
“Hmm?”
“Linden,” she said again.
“What?” I looked up at her and then glanced in the direction where she was staring.
Zip stood in the lobby, hands clenched by his sides. He was in a pair of dark jeans and a skin-tight black shirt that showed off his muscled arms and chest. His leather cut was boldly on display, and he caught more than a few stares. His blue eyes were stony, and there wasn’t a trace of his usual good humor.
He appeared formidable, even more so when he stalked toward me. “I need to speak with you. Alone.” Zip looked at Peyton.
“I’ll see you at Tony’s,” Peyton said to me.
I nodded.
Zip watched her walk out of the lobby and when he was sure we were alone, he took my elbow and guided me to the corner.
“What is it?”
“Boxer,” he said, pitching his voice low. “He’s been shot.”
All the blood froze in my body, and then my mind suddenly snapped into doctor mode.
“Where?”
“Arm. Bullet’s still in there.”
“Why didn’t you take him to a hospital?” I demanded.
“Gun shots have to be reported. And it wasn’t bad enough for the ER. The bleeding’s under control.”
Boxer and the Blue Angels were criminals. It would’ve invited questions.
“Clubhouse?” I asked.
Zip nodded.
“I’ll meet you there.” I turned to head back to the elevators.
Zip’s hand on my arm stopped me. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“He’s injured,” I hissed. “I need supplies to tend to him. Things I don’t just have on hand.”