He was right. I needed to clear this area. Every man I looked at had blood on them, and some were wearing their weapons openly. This was not a good situation for anyone. I didn’t need to speak with Reaper to know he could not handle this situation. There was only one thing I could do.
I took charge.
“Okay, call around. Find a hotel and reserve it. These men are going to need clothes, toiletries, everything. Antonio, talk with the local police department. I want to know what is going on and what is happening with those rescued. Make sure they need nothing. Find out what compensation they want and make sure this doesn’t blow back on the Skulls.” I was about to say something else when the emergency doors opened, and in rushed a very large man in a Golden Skulls cut, running alongside two gurneys.
Everyone in the waiting room stopped what they were doing, but it was Reaper who said, “Savage?”
Following the President of the Golden Skulls, I stayed far enough away to observe them but not to interfere. Whoever this Savage was, I knew he was a club member. Yet, he was not with the main group at the compound. Why?
“What the fuck are you doing here? Where’s Kitty?” Reaper asked as the man just stood staring at the trauma room. “Savage, you’re covered in blood. What happened?”
“There were too many of them. I tried.” The big man barely whispered.
“Tried what, man?” Reaper asked carefully.
“I didn’t have enough bullets. We weren’t prepared. We didn’t think there would be so many. Every time we killed someone, five would take their place. There were so many of them,” he said, turning to his president. Grabbing Reaper by his cut, he growled, “Why didn’t the Florida Chapter show? They were supposed to be there.”
“What do you mean, Savage. Toxic, assured me he was there with you.”
“He wasn’t. None of them were. It was just Kitty and me.”
The club’s Vice President, Ghost, muttered, “Fuck.”
“You would have been proud, Max,” Savage whispered. “She fought bravely. My sister kicked ass today. She is a true Golden Skull.”
“What happened, Savage. I need you to tell me what happened?”
“We were down to a few guys left. Sandman was in no condition to fight. They worked him over good. When Kitty made it to the house and saw her brother, she lost it. She just started shooting everyone. I tried to get to her. I really did, but I had my own problems outside. They just kept coming. Kitty was on the ground by the time I made it into the house. Her gun was raised to kill the last fucker. I aimed my gun, too, knowing I only had one bullet left. I never miss. Ever. But I did. The fucker shot Kitty in the head. When her gun dropped, I tackled the man and broke his neck with my bare hands. Sandman was out of it. I don’t think he will remember anything. They beat him pretty badly. I crawled over to Kitty and held her. The bullet hit the left side of her head. I didn’t see an exit wound, and when I felt her pulse, I’d never been so damn happy before in my life. But she wouldn’t wake up. She got hurt because I missed. I never miss.”
“Oh God,” another member whispered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Reaper, what are we going to tell Bullseye when he gets out of surgery?”
“Bullseye’s here?” Savage asked, looking at his brothers for the first time.
“Yeah,” Reaper said. “He took a bullet to his chest. He’s in surgery right now. He got Caroline right as she took her shot. We got him here as fast as we could.”
“Fuck.”
“Look, Savage, tonight was a clusterfuck. I will own that, but I swear to you, I will find out why Toxic and the Florida Chapter didn’t show. They will answer for this.”
“I’m going to kill them.”
“Let the doctors do what they need too. Come on, man, let’s go sit and wait. There’s nothing more we can do.”
“I can’t leave her.”
“I get it, Lucas. I really do. But there is nothing more you can do. Let the professionals do their job.”
Nodding, the distraught man followed Reaper and the rest of his brothers to the waiting room. He stopped when he saw the rest of my family and me. Reaper replied, “Long story. Will tell you later.”
Time passed slowly in the waiting room as men began to talk more but still respectful to keep their voices low. Something big was going here, and I was having a hard time figuring it out.
Reaper wasn’t acting like some man in charge.
He was too upset to worry about those hurt.
Nothing made sense.
“Gio, I found a Howard Johnsons near the hospital. I have rooms for everyone, and one of my men is currently buying everything everyone will need to clean up and change. I’ve also contacted a local restaurant. They are making meals for everyone. They will call when they are ready to be picked up. I took it upon myself to call a tow service. They are headed out right now to pick up the bikes and have them all towed to the hotel. I also rented a few more vehicles to transport everyone. They are waiting outside.”