Icaredabout my MC brothers and their families. But loved them? No. It wasn’t until I’d spent one-on-one time with Ava that I’d felt anything close to love.
“Enough already,” I hissed.
Boxer grunted in frustration. Obviously, he didn’t understand where I was coming from. Most people didn’t, which was why I wasn’t a big talker. Unless they grew up the way I had, they couldn’t possibly know how I felt.
I lifted my head when the gym’s entrance bell rang. A woman I didn’t recognize entered the building.
Actually, she did look a little familiar.
“Hi.” She waved, appearing nervous. “Ire, right?”
“Who’s asking?” I approached the chick, looking sidelong at Ava. Her eyes were locked on the woman. Fantastic, just what I needed.
“You probably don’t remember me. A few months ago, you saved me.” She patted her right shoulder. “When I was shot at the Vipers’ Den. I’m Irisah.”
“Shit.” Boxer appeared at my side. He took his phone out of his pocket and texted someone. Probably Storm.
This woman being in the gym couldn’t be good. I studied her. It had been dark the night several of us went into Viper territory to rescue Lynx’s old lady and her little girl. All I remembered was a lot of blood on a woman’s back.
Strangely, we hadn’t heard shit from the Vipers since. Grizzly had been keeping close tabs on them…
“Okay. So what are you doing here?” I wasn’t about to be friendly. She put me on edge. Even if she only danced at their bar, she was connected to our enemy.
“Um…” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked behind her toward the entrance. It was a cloudy day, and after six in the evening, it was difficult to see out the large windows.
“Are you looking for someone?” My stomach churned as the words left my lips.
Irisah turned toward Ava and Snow. “Is that your wife and baby?”
“No, they’re mine,” Boxer said in a possessive tone. He elbowed me. “I have a bad feeling. Get in the back!” he yelled, running toward the girls and grabbing the car seat the baby was still in.
“Drew?” Ava called as Boxer ushered them into the locker room.
“Listen to Boxer!” I shouted.
“I’m so sorry!” Irisah bolted out of the building.
My mind raced in those few seconds. What the fuck was going on?
“Take cover!” I yelled to the few people in the gym.
“Drew!” Ava screamed.
“Ava, go with Boxer!” I was about to go lock the doors when gunfire ensued. The windows shattered along the front of the building. I ducked behind the receptionist’s counter to shield myself from the bullets zipping past me.
Son of a bitch. Out of habit, I reached for my gun to return fire. I didn’t have it or my phone on me, so I searched for the wireless business phone to call Hero. The gun shop he managed didn’t close until seven on Thursday nights. He was the closest and could get here within minutes.
I could hardly hear it ring with the noise from the pinging bullets. I estimated at least four guns were going off, maybe as many as six. Those motherfuckers would pay. I’d take each and every one of them down.
“This is Hero.”
“Man, get to the gym! Vipers are shooting up the building!”
“Fuck! Ryder and I are on our way.” The call ended.
I stayed hunkered down, worrying about Ava and what this craziness might’ve done to her. It wouldn’t surprise me if it triggered her. I should be with her, not Boxer. If she needed assurance and comfort, it should be me giving it to her.
Suddenly, the gunfire ceased. I waited a few seconds, then jumped up when I heard screeching tires and sirens.