“I’m coming!” I yelled and grabbed my car keys from the small desk as I made my way to the door.
I yanked the door open and stepped out into the hallway. Jonah tossed me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and sprinted for the stairs.
“I can fucking walk!” I yelled and punctuated it with a slap to his back.
“Not as fast as I can run,” he retorted and moved down the stairs faster than a gazelle running from a cheetah.
When we made it to the ground floor, he set me on my feet while we followed the crowd of hotel guests outside. The flashing lights of rapidly approaching fire trucks could be seen in the distance, and the hotel staff were strategically stationed to guide us along to the designated safe location. But what no one planned for was the spray of bullets that tore through the crowd from the two cars that flew by at top speeds.
“Down!” Jonah roared as he threw, yes threw, me to the ground and landed on top of me. “Everybody, get down!”
It lasted all of five seconds, maybe seven, and then a deafening silence filled the night air before complete and total chaos erupted.
Chapter Eleven
Judge
“What’re you thinking?” Copper asked.
“That it’s a fucking miracle no one was hurt,” I said honestly. At least fifty people were standing outside the hotel when two cars raced by and opened fire.
“You think it was intentional?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but look at my President like he had lost his damn mind. He rolled his eyes, “Not the shooting. I meant do you think they intentionally didn’t hit anyone?”
“Why in the hell would anyone do a drive-by shooting if their intention wasn’t to shoot someone?” I asked.
“To scare someone. To cause a distraction. As part of a gang initiation. Because people are fucking crazy. There could be a number of reasons. I just think the whole thing seems weird and wondered if you were getting the same vibe?”
He had some good points, but I hadn’t considered any of them. “Honestly, Prez, I haven’t had the time to do much more than be thankful I didn’t shit myself while covering River.”
“How is she?” he asked and jerked his chin toward the ambulance River was standing beside.
“Physically, she probably sprained her wrist when we went down, but otherwise she’s fine. Mentally, I’m guessing she’s freaked the fuck out. Back-to-back near-death experiences is a bit much for anyone to handle.”
“Yeah, I have to agree with you on that one. I’m going to see if I can find out what triggered the fire alarm. You staying at the clubhouse tonight?”
“Not sure yet. I’m going to go check on River. I’ll catch you before you leave,” I told him and clapped him on the shoulder.
I did know one thing for sure; River would not be spending the night by herself. She could bitch about it all she wanted, but that’s how it was going to be.
She looked up when I was a few steps away. “Jonah, any news?”
I frowned and shook my head. “Not yet. How’s your wrist?” She instinctively put her arms out to catch herself when I tossed her to the ground. With my much larger frame coming down on top of her, she was damn lucky her arm didn’t break.
She shrugged. “It’s fine. A little sore, but nothing a few days rest and some ibuprofen won’t fix.”
I nodded to Splint. “Is she good to go, brother?”
“She is. Now, it’s your turn,” he said and pointed to my hand.
I opened my mouth to protest, but he didn’t even let me get started. “It probably just needs to be cleaned and closed up with some glue. Quit being such a pussy and sit down.”
River burst into laughter, and Splint actually looked embarrassed. “Sorry, please forgive my language,” he said softly.
“Oh, no apologies necessary,” River said and snorted comically. “I had to hold his hand while he got a shot once.”
“Both of you can fuck right off. Splint, make it quick. I’ve got shit to do,” I snapped.
Splint made quick work of cleaning and gluing my hand. Two stitches had torn through the skin, but the majority of the wound stayed closed. Once he was finished, River asked, “Are they going to let us go back to our rooms any time soon?”