“Here,” said Gloria as she entered the room with an ice bag. She handed it to Chrissy, who pressed it to the bruise. Saks lay as still as death and it scared the crap out of her.
“We should get him to a hospital,” said Chrissy.
“Nah,” said Marcus. “Besides, you girls need to get to your parents’ house. I’ll stay and watch him. Here.” He pulled a set of keys from his pockets. “You drive, Gloria. But be careful. That’s my baby there.”
Gloria took the keys with a flash of a smile.
“That’s okay,” said Chrissy. “We’ll take my car. You need yours in case you have to drive him to the hospital.” Chrissy snatched the keys from Gloria’s hand as her younger sister frowned, and tossed them back to Marcus. “We should try to wake him first. If he’s got a concussion he shouldn’t be sleeping.”
“Oh, he’s not sleeping. He’s out. Like, lights out.” Gloria pointed at Saks’ prone body.
Chrissy leaned forward and patted Saks’ face. “Saks, Saks, wake up.”
He groaned, which was encouraging. She repositioned the ice bag that had slipped while Marcus and Gloria claimed her attention. Chrissy moved it but inadvertently touched the back of Saks’ neck. He groaned.
“Saks, Saks, honey, you need to open your eyes.”
His eyes fluttered, and Chrissy sighed in relief.
“Shit... What happened?” he moaned.
“The hood of your car fell on you.”
“Bitch.” He groaned and tried to sit up, only to fall back again to her pillows.
“Hey, there,” said Marcus in a warning tone.
“I don’t think he meant me,” said Chrissy. “Did you, Saks?”
“I said,” he coughed, “it hurts like a bitch.”
Gloria studied her phone. “I think Chrissy’s right. Google says he needs to see a doctor, especially since he passed out.”
“All right, I’ll take him,” said Marcus grudgingly. “But you girls get to your parents’ house. That’s a world of hurt I don’t need right now. And for fuck’s sake don’t tell them about this fight. You’ve got enough troubles.”
Saks struggled to sit again. “I’ll be okay. Just... take me to my apartment.”
“Look at you,” snapped Chrissy. Damn, the man was stubborn. “Can’t even sit on your own. If you don’t go with Marcus, I’ll call an ambulance to pick you up.”
“Don’t,” gritted Saks. “You don’t get it. If my club finds out about this fight, they’ll be all over Marcus.”
“You weren’t hurt during the fight,” said Chrissy, “so just keep to that story.”
“Just because they’re bikers doesn’t mean they’re stupid.”
“I never said—”
“Okay, you two,” rumbled Marcus. “That’s enou
gh. Come on, Saks, I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Saks tried to stand and passed out again.
“HEY,” SAID CHRISSY softly as Saks’ eyelids fluttered.
She leaned down closer to him beside the hospital bed. She’d ditched dinner, damn the consequences, and Marcus’ angry words. She couldn’t walk away when Saks was in dire need. What surprised her, though, was the wave of protectiveness that washed over her as she stood at his bedside. To gain entry into the ED room, she told them she was his sister. She also said she was next of kin. When she signed the consent forms to treat, a tiny amount of shame pricked her brain for the lie. But just a little. If Saks needed anyone to watch over him it was now.
“What’re you doing here?” he said hoarsely.