“Pretty short notice, Reese.”
“You know I wouldn’t be calling if we didn’t need it.”
“How many of you are wounded?”
“Just one—a chick. Look, man, we need this. I have the girl and Maccon with me.”
“See y’all soon.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“You know the address to my place, right?”
“I’m with Bear. I’ll grab it from him.”
“Bring that giant prick with you. If you’re coming all this way for safekeeping, it’s best to have him along for the ride, anyway.”
“Aye, brother.”
I walked back inside after ending the call and nodded to the group at the table. “Let’s get this show on the road. Bear, you’ve been requested.”
King slapped him on the shoulder. “Have fun getting your balls busted by The Butcher for that slipup last June. That SOB has a memory like a damn elephant.”
Bear chuckled. “I knew I would never hear the end of that fucking crap. You forget one stupid magazine one time and shit hits the damn fan and sticks up there for years.”
Leaning down, I rested my hand gently on Katherine’s bony shoulder. “Time to wake up. We need to head out of here,” I whispered.
Her wide eyes shot open as she screamed bloody murder.
“Katherine, you’re safe. Remember, I’m Reese. My friend Maccon and I rescued you this morning,” I cooed to her.
She scrambled into a ball, rocking back and forth on the far side of the worn leather couch.
“You need to take me home,” she cried.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” King exclaimed before marching over to her. “Look, little lady, I know this is fucking scary, but we are trying to help you here.”
“Get away!” Katherine yelled.
Straightening up, I motioned for the three of them to follow me out onto the front porch.
“Let me see if I can calm her down with y’all out here,” I offered. “I am at a fucking loss with this one.
Bear ran his hand over his face. “This is going to be a fucking terrible drive.”
Maccon snorted a forced laugh. “You should have seen how crazy she was on the way over here. Five hours in the truck with her might be the death of me.”
“Are you sure this broad is worth all of this damn trouble?” King looked me right in the eye.
I could have punched him right then and there, but I wasn’t going to bite the hand that was feeding us and punching a old-timer in the organization was not allowed—especially an Unacceptables president.
“Look,” I growled, “I don’t give a flying fuck if you all bail on this one, but there is a hurting girl in there and I owe this to her brother. Just stay the fuck outside and let me try to get her calm.”
I wasn’t a white knight in shining armor. Usually I was the man they sent in to handle a mess with bloodshed, but not this time. I was going to save this damn woman if it was the last thing I ever fucking did.
Without another word, I ambled back inside to Katherine. She was curled up, completely covered by a quilt King’s old lady had sewn years before when she was pregnant with her first child.
“Katherine?” I murmured, sinking down next to her.