Then as quickly as it started, it’s over. My heart rate slows, my vision returns to normal, and the pain I felt moments ago, stops. For a few seconds, I think I’m dead. Right now, I want to be.
Where’s my salvation?
53
Salvation
I grab my keys to my Harley off the entry table, shove my wallet into my back pocket, and head out the front door for the clubhouse. As soon as I pull the front door shut, my whole body seizes up, my arms and legs locking with incredible force, pain shooting through every bone, tendon, nerve, and cell.
What the fuck is this?
A growl rumbles up from my gut, barreling out of me as I crumble into a heap on the porch. My keys and cell phone fly from my hands as I land face down. I can’t move or form words; the pain making it difficult to breathe. I feel heat slide through me, my whole body feeling as though it’s on fire.
This isn’t good.
Am I dying? Is this what death feels like?
And then, just as quickly as the pain started, it’s gone, and I’m left coated in sweat. I take in a sharp inhale of breath, pulling myself off the porch into a standing position. I gather my keys and cell phone; make it down the steps like a fawn that’s learning how to walk and stumble to my bike.
I wipe the sweat from my face, and when I pull my hand away, my fingers are covered with blood. Nice. I toss a leg over the seat of my bike, start the engine, letting it rumble under me for a few minutes before I head off in the direction of the clubhouse.
When I enter the clubhouse a short time later, I catch the attention of Andi at the bar. She looks horrified. “What happened?”
I’m in a daze and I draw a blank for a few seconds. “Andi, I have no idea.”
“Do you need some help?”
I take a seat at the bar as Andi fills a shot glass full of Jack Daniels. She slides it across the bar top to me. “Thanks,” I say, tossing the shot back. “Again,” I slide the shot glass back to her.
She refills my glass and yells for Ridge.
“No, I’m fine.” I don’t need anyone coddling me or tossing pity feelings in my direction. Yes, the last several weeks have been difficult, I’ve been pre-occupied and out of the loop on things going on within the club. I’m sure that has something to do with my lack of sleep, and in turn, screwing with my concentration.
“Salvation, you’re bleeding,” Andi points out.
Yes, thank you. “It’ll heal.”
Sharayah comes around the corner off the hallway that leads to Lux’s office. No doubt giving him a report of the strip joint the club owns. “What’s going on?”
Andi points her red polished nail at me. “Look at him.”
Sharayah’s eyes widen in panic. “Salvation, what happened?”
“I fell, hit my face.”
Andi plants her hands on her hips. “Ridge!” she calls again.
Sharayah calls out for Jude and before I know it, everyone is descending on the bar, crowding around me.
“What’s up?” Ridge asks, coming in from the back hallway followed by Jude and Lux.
“Look at Salvation’s head, Ridge,” Andi says, nodding to me, her finger still pointing directly at my face.
Fuck me. I feel like I’m in trouble for hiding in the girls’ locker room and watching them change. “Damn, guys. I’m fine. I lost my footing and hit my face. It’ll heal.”
“Fuck, Salvation,” Lux says, studying my face and the deep cut that’s over my left eye. “That looks bad.”
“Yeah, bro, what’d you do?” Jude asks.
“Y’all wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I say, tipping my head toward the empty shot glass that still sits on the bar in front me. When I dip my head, I feel the slide of something down the side of my face and I know that it’s more blood.
“Dude, we need to stitch you up,” Lux says.
I’m a panther, I don’t stay wounded long. It’ll heal itself. “Nah, bro, I’m fine.”
“You’re getting blood all over my bar, Salvation. Here,” Andi says, handing me a towel. “Cover your head.”
I honestly don’t know what my face looks like, I just know it hurts. My eye feels like it’s going to throb right out of the socket. “I’ve bled more than this, guys.” Especially during a fight.
“Salvation.” Jude stares at me, his eyes narrowing and his brow furrowing. “What the fuck happened?”
I roll my eyes. I know these people are my family, but they’re worried for nothing. “I hit the front porch, landed on my face. Actually, I kind of bounced,” I say, motioning with my hands, slapping the bar top.
Ridge lets out a snort, but clears his throat when Lux cuts his eyes at Ridge. “Sorry.”
“My whole body just seized up for some reason and pain like I’ve never felt before just ripped right fucking through me.” I take the shot glass Andi filled seconds ago, tossing the dark liquid back. My stomach warms as I ask for another.
“Do you think this has anything to do with the woman you’ve been hearing lately?” Lux asks, leaning on the bar top. He studies my face closely, as if trying to get inside my mind.
“More than likely,” I deadpan. I pull the towel away from my face, looking at the once white cloth, now mostly covered in my blood.
“We need to stitch you up. I’m not sure if that wound will close by itself. It’s a pretty deep cut,” Jude says, touching the wound.
I jerk head back. “Fuck, bro! That hurts.” These fuckers know how stubborn I am when it comes to taking care of myself. If it ain’t necessary, I don’t fucking do it.
To save time on an argument between me, my brothers, and their ladies, I relent and agree to let Jude stitch me up. “Fine, but
