Loker went directly to the ER; as he entered through the sliding doors, he could already hear the commotion Ton was making in a nearby room. Relief that his father was in good enough condition to be enraged with the nurse he could hear Ton arguing with loosened the knot his gut was twisted into.

“Let me go woman, I have to check on that little girl.”

“Sir, I told you the sheriff is checking. When he comes back in a few moments, he will relay the information.” Ton was trying to jump out of a wheelchair while the middle-aged nurse was unsuccessfully trying to keep him seated. “I need to check your injuries.”

“I’m fine. They checked me out in the ambulance. It’s that poor girl who needs help.”

“Dad.” Loker spoke trying to get Ton’s attention.

Ton faced his son with tears streaming from his eyes. “I know what you’re going to say. But I am not drunk; haven't had a drink all day. I was just going to the store for a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes that probably cost her life. There was blood everywhere.” Ton lifted his shaking hands to cover his face. “I saw her too, she ran right out in front of me.”

“Ton.” Loker tried to quiet his father, worried that he would incriminate himself.

“No. I hurt that girl. I want you to shoot me.”

Razer could only lean against the pale yellow wall.

“How is she?” Shade, Knox, Rider stood beside him as he waited for an answer.

“They won’t tell me.” Ton redoubled his efforts to get out of the wheelchair.

“Ton, stop.” The soft voice coming from the doorway had them turning; Razer thought he was imagining her voice. Beth stood there with tear-swollen eyes, with trembling lips, clutching her purse in fear.

“I am so sorry Beth. I didn’t think…” Ton immediately stopped his struggles.

They waited for Beth to let Ton have it. Lily was Beth’s only family, everyone in town knew how Beth protected and worshiped her baby sister.

Beth walked forward to face a crying Ton. No one moved to stop her. She reached out and instead of the smack everyone expected; cupped his beard-roughened cheek, gently brushing his tears away.

“You have to calm down. Remember your blood pressure. You don’t want me to be worried about you too, do you?”

“No.” Ton tried to gain control under Beth’s steady gaze.

“Has he been checked out?” Beth asked the nurse.

“Not yet. He wouldn’t let me.”

“Go with her Ton, as soon as I find out her condition, I will find you.”

Ton nodded, squeezing her hand.

A door halfway down the hall opened, everyone froze expectedly as the Sherriff walked out.

He looked at the audience waiting for news. Beth instantly moved to his side.

“How is she?”

“Lucky, she has a concussion, a sprained ankle, and she is going to be sore as hell for a couple of days. I guess all that research you put into purchasing a safe car paid off.”

The Sheriff attended her church; she had questioned him relentlessly on the best choice of car to purchase when Lily had earned her license. Up until then, she had made due with an older model car, but Beth wasn’t going to take any chances with Lily’s safety. Beth had bought a newer model car with a five star safety rating.

“Thank God," Beth whispered, desperately trying to hang on to her control in front of the group of men.

The Sheriff nodded. “Someone was definitely looking out for her.”

Loker spoke up. “Was it Ton’s fault?"

“No or Lily’s either. Lily said her brakes went out, that was why she couldn’t stop. She pulled out in front of Ton. Beth, I am going to have the car towed to the station and have our mechanic take a look at the brakes.”

“I just had the car serviced last month.”

“I will let you know as soon possible.”

“Thanks sheriff. Can I go in and see Lily?”

“The doctor is waiting to talk to you, then he will show you to Lily’s room.”

Beth went to go inside the door, but hesitated and turned back to Loker. “I want to see Lily, but I don’t want Ton upset. Would you find him and let him know he wasn’t responsible, that Lily will be fine?”

“I will handle it.”

“Bring him in to see Lily. He won’t rest until he does.”

“Beth, we won’t intrude.” Loker protested.

“Bring him back or I will come get him,” Beth threatened.

Loker smiled, finally agreeing. He took her by the arm, stopping her before she could leave. “Beth your first concern should have been for Lily, instead you took the time to comfort a man that could have been responsible for her death. I never give out markers, I pay my debts, but you have mine. If you ever need anything, let me know.”

Beth just shook her head at him and went to find Lily’s doctor. She wasn’t aware of the incredulity on the faces of the men around her. She was the first person, man or women, to have the head of The Last Riders owe a marker.

Chapter 7

Beth signed the last paper releasing her sister. “Are you ready?”

Lily nodded, then winced at the action. Seeing Beth’s worried frown, “I’m fine. I just have to remember to keep my head still.”

Beth touched Lily’s pale face. “Let’s go home. Evie was supposed to meet us outside twenty minutes ago.”

The orderly pushed Lily in a wheelchair to the hospital entrance, Beth followed behind, carrying Lily’s overnight bag. Once outside, Beth searched the parking lot for Evie’s car but didn’t see it. She was about to reach inside her purse for her cell phone when a dark blue car pulled up in front of them.

Razer and Shade both got out of the car. Beth could only stare in stunned surprised.

Razer opened the back door with a smile at the openly surprised women.

“Your chariot awaits ladies,” Razer said with a casual smile.

“But Evie is picking us up.” Beth protested. She didn’t want to get in the close confines of the car with Razer and Lily was looking even unhappier at the idea.

“Evie was, but Loker called, he rented this car until yours is repaired. He asked us to drop it off to you.”

“He shouldn’t have done that, Ton was not responsible for the accident.”

“You can take that up with him; Loker didn’t want to leave Ton alone so he asked me. I wasn’t busy so here I am. Now you ladies ready to roll?”

Beth helplessly rolled her eyes at Lily, stepping back as Razer maneuvered the wheelchair away from the orderly. Deftly, he guided the wheelchair to the waiting car. Shade opened the door to the car as Razer pushed the wheelchair as close as possible. He turned to Beth.

“Get in on the other side and help her slide in.” Beth hesitated, but knew she had little choice. Going to the other side of the car, she opened the door. Once inside, she helped Lily inside the car, carefully adjusting her sprained ankle. Lily’s scared eyes met hers; Beth gave her a reassuring smile.

“You good?” Shade had bent down next to ask Lily.

“Yes.” Her response tremulous. Lily’s hand reached down to smooth down the dress that had ridden up her slim thighs. Shade’s eyes followed her movement, which was when Beth realized he wasn’t wearing his sunglasses. His baby blues without the sunglasses hiding them should be illegal. Beth thought any young girl faced with a specimen such as Shade would use the opportunity to flirt outrageously, yet Lily leaned away and averted her face. Beth didn’t know whether to be concerned or thankful.