The Last Riders - First Four Votes (24 page)

T
he door opening
didn’t even draw Winter’s attention because she had become so used to the nurses coming and going. It wasn’t until the Sheriff moved to stand in front of her that she lifted her eyes. Even a man who had been through two tours in the military and cleaned up many fatalities flinched when he saw her face.

“Winter.”

“Sheriff.”

“I waited until the doctor said it would be okay to let you know what happened.” Will Hunter had been sheriff for several years and, while she liked and respected him, she couldn’t help holding a grudge that he hadn’t taken her more seriously when she’d called to report Viper’s trespassing.

“I already know what happened. What I want to know is who?”

“Jake. He blamed you for telling Carmen’s parents that he was mistreating her.”

Her eyes deadened even further, if possible.

“He ran off into the mountains and we tracked him down. He’s in custody. What I need to know is, did you see his face?”

“No, he attacked me from behind. I was too disoriented to see who did it. How do you know it was Jake?”

He really did not want to tell her this part, but knew if he didn’t that someone else would.

“He paid Carmen’s parents a visit before you. Luckily, they weren’t home. Trashed everything in the house then set it on fire. One of the neighbors saw him running out of the house.”

“The doctor told me I almost didn’t make it.”

The sheriff nodded. “You’re going to recover, Winter.”

He wanted to reach out and touch her hand, but there wasn’t a place that wasn’t covered in bruises.

“That’s what they say.” Winter turned her head away, not wanting the sheriff to see how upset she was that one of her former students had hated her enough to almost kill her.

“You will heal. It will be a long journey, but you will make it, Winter. You have a lot of people who care about you and want to see you.”

Winter turned her head back to face him. “Is he still outside?”

“They say he’s been here since the day they brought you in.”

“Make him leave. I don’t want him here.”

“I’ll take care of it. Anything else?”

“No.” Winter closed her eyes, letting the medication put her to sleep with a click of a button. The sheriff stood by her bed until he was sure she was asleep before he left.

Viper watched closely as he came out the door and sat down silently next to him, his hat in his hand.

“She wants you to leave. I told her I would get you to.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“I know, but I am telling you now it’s a wasted effort.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do. You’re not going to earn her forgiveness sitting outside her closed door. Go home, get some rest, and take care of business. Winter has a long road ahead of her. When she gets out of here, she’ll need you then. You won’t be any help if you’re burned out before she’s even released. Right now, she has good care; you’ve seen to that. Reserve your strength for when you’ll need it the most.”

“I can’t leave until I see her.”

“You’ll go home if I let you in for a minute?”

“Yes.” He couldn’t leave until he assured himself it was her living and breathing behind that door.

“Okay, I shouldn’t be doing this, so make sure you don’t wake her. She’s still pissed about the last time.”

The sheriff went to the door, telling the security guard he would keep an eye on the door while he went and got a cup of coffee. He motioned to Viper as soon as the guard turned the corner and then opened the door for Viper to enter after checking to make sure she was still sleeping.

“One minute,” he warned.

Viper gave him a nod and entered the room. A few minutes later, he quietly closed the door behind him. With a grim nod, he kept his word.

“
D
o you understand these instructions
?” The nurse waited patiently for Winter to sign the release papers.

“Yes.”

“I will send someone in to help you to your ride.”

“Wait, they aren’t here yet.” Winter tried to keep the worry out of her voice.

“Yes, I am.” Beth smiled brightly as she pushed open the door.

Winter released a relieved breath. She had broken down a week ago and called Beth to work for her until she was back on her feet again. It was either hire Beth or a convalescence home. Beth had helped when her mother was ill, and Winter, not knowing where else to turn, called her. Beth had immediately accepted.

“I was outside, talking to your doctor. I also found a physical therapist that is going to start tomorrow.” It always amazed Winter how Beth could be a little oblivious about what was happening around her, but when it came to her job, the woman was completely OCD.

“Thanks, Beth. I don’t know what I would do without you. The thought of having to stay even longer in this rehab center is getting to me.” The hospital in Treepoint had released her to a rehab center in Lexington where she was gradually learning to walk again after six weeks, but Winter wanted to go home.

While it would be a long time before she could return to work, she would be able to go home with certain conditions. Someone would have to stay with her until she was a little more mobile. The doctors had assured her she would fully recover, but in the meantime, she had to use a wheelchair as she regained her strength. She would also need physical therapy if she was going to continue to progress in her recovery.

“I plan to have you back on your feet in no time, Winter. I just hope you don’t hate me for my methods.”

“You get me back on my feet, I will be grateful,” she assured her.

“I am going to hold you to that,” Beth replied. “Let’s hit the road. We have a long drive home.” Beth grasped Winter’s suitcases and followed as the nurse pushed her outside to the waiting car. Once they were situated inside, they were on their way.

The drive home took several hours. Winter fell asleep in the backseat where Beth had made her comfortable with several pillows and a blanket. She woke up when they pulled up in front of a drive-thru twenty minutes from home.

“I was hungry. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I’m starving myself.” They ate burgers and fries and it was the best meal Winter had ever tasted.

“I need to use the restroom. Will you be all right for a few minutes?” Beth turned around in her seat to ask Winter.

“Of course, I’ll wait here.” Beth smiled at Winter’s show of humor as she left the car to go to the restroom. It didn’t take long before she was sliding back into the car.

The rest of the ride didn’t take long. Winter stared out the window as they drove through the town. Nothing had changed since her attack. The same businesses and signs were there, the same potholes, even the same regulars going into the diner for a meal. Everything was the same except her.

Winter noticed that Beth had quit talking, her fingers tight on the wheel. Thinking she had something on her mind and wasn’t paying attention, Winter casually reminded her when she drove past the street her house was on.

“Remember when I said you were going to hate me? We aren’t going to your home. I’m taking you where you will have plenty of help.” Beth’s voice was soft, but firm.

Winter had a terrible, sinking feeling. “Your house?”

“No, the problem is my schedule is so full you would be left alone for long periods of time. You need a hot tub to relax those muscles. You are going to need help maneuvering around until you regain your strength, and I have the perfect place.” Beth took a deep breath and released it. “Razer’s house.”

“But he lives with The Last Riders.”

“Yes.”

“No. Take me back to the rehab center or drive me to a nursing home, but I am not going there,” Winter said adamantly.

“Yes, you are,” Beth replied firmly. Winter sat in stunned silence, not knowing what to do.

“Beth, listen to me. Take me home.” Her voice wobbled on the demand. She could tell by Beth’s determined face that she wasn’t going to listen.

She turned into a large parking lot. A house sat above on a small hill, overlooking both the lot and a huge building. Everyone in town had learned that this was where the Last Rider’s clubhouse was located.

There were three men waiting in the lot. Beth drove the car to where they were standing.

“I am never going to forgive you for this,” Winter told her.

“I know,” Beth said with tears in her voice. Winter watched as Beth’s fiancé opened her door and pulled her out into his arms, moving her away from the car. Her own door opened and Winter could only stare helplessly into the one face she had never wanted to see again.

“Hello, Winter,” Viper said.

“Take me home. This isn’t going to happen, Viper. I am not going to stay here.”

“I’m sorry, Winter, but I am not giving you a choice.” He carefully lifted her into his arms. When she would have struggled, he held her in a firm hold and talked to her in a voice that had her shivering in reaction. “I know right now you’re mad as hell and I understand, but I am not going to let you hurt yourself. Stay still or else I will make you sorry.”

“You’re going to hurt me to keep me from hurting myself?” Winter watched as the huge biker from the bar pulled her suitcases from the car and Razer lifted out the hated wheelchair.

“I wouldn’t lay a hand on you, but you would get my message.” Viper packed her up the long flight of steps without losing his breath. Winter stared at the steps, knowing they were going to trap her inside the house. She would never be able to manage them on her own.

Evie opened the door as they approached.

“Hi, do you remember me from church? Believe it or not, I’m a nurse. I also worked with Beth for a while, so you’ll be in good hands while you’re here.” Winter could only stare in amazement at the cheerful woman greeting her. If she weren’t being so freaking nice, Winter would have snapped a reply back at her.

Viper continued through the entry, going to the stairs not far from the door and carrying her up another flight of steps, which just added insult to injury as far as Winter was concerned. She looked around and could only see a large living room with several couches and chairs placed in different groupings. Several people were sitting, talking; all of them with their eyes on her.

She was amazed at the size of the house as Viper carried her down a long hallway, passing several doors until he came to the one standing open at the end. The house was more the size of a hotel.

Inside the last room, he gently laid her down on a huge, king sized bed. The room was overly large with a couch and two chairs in a small sitting area. A desk and chair took up space along another wall with a dresser and chest on another.

“I am not staying here, Viper…”

He ignored her, walking out of the room, leaving her alone with Evie, who began opening Winter’s suitcases that Razer and the other man had set on the floor.

“Thanks, Knox and Razer.” Both men left without a word, closing the door behind them.

Evie began unpacking Winter’s clothes with a running dialogue. “I’m a certified nurse and have served in the military. I have also dealt with several spinal injuries, Winter. I want you to know this so that you will feel that you are in capable hands. Right now, you’re angry with Beth and we can understand that, so we feel, until you calm down, that I will be the one working with you. Razer has become very protective of Beth.” At this, she stopped putting Winter’s clothes into one of the drawers of the chest to look at her. “I wouldn’t fuck with him by hurting Beth’s feelings. I can, on the other hand, take anything you care to dish out.”

She pushed the wheelchair beside the bed within Winter’s reach. “Let me help you to the bathroom and get you more comfortable.” Winter could only sit, trying to force back the tears. She didn’t have a cell phone and no one to turn to. No one who would even care if she was missing, she was at their mercy.

Left with no choice, she let Evie help her to the bathroom. Evie matter-of-factly waited while she emptied her full bladder then helped her into the shower in which someone had placed a bath chair and installed a safety bar. Evie let her wash herself then took over to wash and rinse Winter’s short hair before helping her out of the shower. It was another humiliating experience that Winter added to her growing list.

Once back in bed, a soft, blue gown was pulled over her head and settled around her.

“Beth was supposed to feed you before you came here.”

Winter nodded, feeling exhausted.

“We were afraid you would throw plates at us if you didn’t eat before getting here. Yet the pain medication needs to be taken on a full stomach.” Evie opened the prescription bag the rehabilitation center had sent with them, giving just enough of Winter’s medication until the prescriptions could be filled tomorrow. Evie gave her the night meds with a glass of water.

Winter didn’t even consider refusing because, right now, she welcomed oblivion. Evie pulled the covers over her.

“I am going to sit right over there and read a magazine until you fall asleep. I’ll see you in the morning, bright and early.”

“It’s not necessary for you to stay. I’ll be all right for the night.”

“I’m just staying until you fall asleep. With the pain medicine and a sleeping pill, you won’t last long.”

“Okay.” She didn’t have the strength to argue; lying back against the soft pillows, within minutes she was asleep. Evie read half the magazine before getting to her feet to check on Winter. After making sure she was comfortable and her pulse was steady, Evie went to the door, opening it quietly. Viper walked in.

“She should be out for the night. You need anything, I’ll be in Knox’s room tonight.”

“Thanks, Evie,” Viper said, not taking his eyes off the woman lying on his bed.

“No problem.”

Viper moved to Winter’s bedside on silent feet, looking down at her sleeping face. She had lost a lot of weight she couldn’t afford to lose. He had been shocked to see how pale and frail she had become over the last two months. Her hair had been cut short and it no longer shined with health. Reaching out with his thumb, he traced a tear that had slid down her check, leaving a damp path.

Going into the bathroom, he took a shower, drying himself off before going back into his room where he turned off the bedside lamp then carefully climbed into bed, pulling Winter towards him. Unconsciously, she tried to roll away from him, tossing and turning several minutes before she was able to get comfortable against his shoulder with her arm over his waist, pinning him down. When her knee rode up close to his cock; Viper gently moved it down to rest against his thigh. He didn’t want that knee anywhere near his cock when she woke in the morning.