CHAPTER EIGHT

– ROURKE –

"I need the doc to get here right fucking now. Yes, I'm on my way, just send him over." I end the call and shove my phone back into my pocket when I notice Eastlynne running toward us.

"What happened?" she demands in a voice filled with panic.

"Get back inside the house. Now, Eastlynne," I bark and don't wait for her to listen but instead, I swoop her up and carry her inside.

I place her on her feet and hold the door open for Parker who carries Cosima inside. He gently places her down onto the couch.

"Grab some shit to clean the blood. Ice. We need something cold to reduce the swelling," Parker orders and I stride into the kitchen to grab some clean towels.

Eastlynne is right behind me, grabbing the first aid kit along with a bag of peas from the freezer.

"What happened?" she hisses as we both rush back into the living room.

Parker takes the first aid kit from me and pops it open to get busy with treating Cosima's injuries.

I take the bag of peas from Eastlynne and place it gently over Cosima's eye when I tell her, "Parker came by to tell me that a herd of Longhorns broke free or that someone caused it. He asked if the animals were okay here, so we went out back to check. That's where we stumbled onto someone kicking the shit out of your sister. Breeze's stall was open. We think they might have tried to sneak her out and Cosima caught them."

"Oh no," Eastlynne gasps and stares horrified at her sister. "Why isn't she talking? Is she conscious? Is she going to be okay?"

"Stop squeaking. My head hurts," Cosima groans and tries to sit up while removing the bag of peas.

Parker wraps his fingers around her neck to keep her in place.

"Do not move," he firmly states. "You took a few punches to the head and got kicked in other parts when you went down. There's a doctor on the way and you need to stay in place until he says you're fine to sit up. Understood? If not? I have no problem tying you down for your own safety."

"You sound perfect." I'm sure the woman tries to hum, but it sounds more like a groan. "A hand on my throat and a threat to tie me up. Why now? I finally meet a man who sounds like he can live up to some spicy hot and nakedness, and I look like a punching bag. Eastlynne, at least tell me he's hot. I can't open my eyes to check."

Parker chuckles. "It's good to hear your sister has enough sass to joke around when shit gets bad."

Eastlynne huffs and grumbles, "She's not joking. If anything, it sounds like there's nothing wrong with her."

"Is that so?" Parker croons with interest.

"Stop that dirty mind of yours right fucking now," I snap at my VP. "That's my old lady's sister you're flirting with. Not to mention, she just got the shit kicked out of her."

Cosima groans. "I'm in pain. At least give me something to distract me."

"Anytime you need a distraction? Come find me," Parker fucking whispers to her. "You know where I live."

Cosima winces when she turns toward the fucker's voice. "Sounds nice, pretty boy. But we'll see. Specifically because I cannot see right now and you could be butt-ugly."

"Then I'll blindfold you before I hogtie you and fuck you from behind," Parker states and I'm ready to grab the fucker by the throat and hogtie him my-fucking-self so I can kick him out of the damn house.

Cosima chuckles and abruptly stops to groan, "Ouch."

"Prez, can you check if the doc is here yet? I want to give her some painkillers 'cause I hate seeing her in pain, but I'm not sure what the doc has in mind. Human meds and bodies aren't my strong points. Now if she was a mare."

"If you're wishing for me to be a mare, I'd like you to be hung like a horse," Cosima states.

Eastlynne rubs her temples and is now the one groaning. "Did I mention I'm not the only weirdo in the family? My sister doesn't have a filter and apparently has no freaking shame."

"In pain, sis," Cosima grumbles. "I'm allowed to say these things. There are rules in place if people are in pain or close to dying."

"I'm pretty sure you're not dying and it might involve people on pain medication saying stupid shit," Eastlynne snaps. "Or those with brain injuries. Hey, is one of her pupils blown?"

Parker chuckles. "No, that's the first thing I checked."

I notice movement outside of the window. "Doc and backup are here."

Jogging to the door, I let the handful of brothers inside. Our club doctor instantly attends to Cosima. Eastlynne is standing close to keep an eye on her sister and I reach out to touch her arm.

Thankfully, she doesn't jump away from my touch and actually steps close enough to bury her face against my chest. I wrap my arms around her and place a kiss on the top of her head. I feel the way she breathes me in and it's heartwarming to know we've fully connected.

"I need to head out," I regretfully tell her. "And I need for you to stay here and look after your sister."

She tips her head back to stare at me. "What? Why?"

I jerk my chin in the direction of the stables. "They were after your horse. It's safe to presume Erwin Desmond was behind this attack. He and his men are known for stealing horses."

"We have brothers chasing down the herd that broke free from the pasture. I'll head out and–"

"No," I tell my VP, cutting him off. "I want you to stay here with my old lady. I'm going to take your bike and cross the pastures instead of taking the road. If I run into any of our cattle, we'll bring them home."

Parker nods and I direct my attention to the other brothers standing in the living room. "Walker, Luke, Silas, Elmore. You guys are with me. Alfie and Decker, stay with VP."

Parker throws me his keys and I snatch them right out of the air. I tip my woman's head back and kiss her in front of everyone. When we come up for air, I notice her pink cheeks and dazed look.

"Please stay safe," she whispers.

"Same goes for you, darlin'," I rumble and jog out the door.

My brothers follow and I straddle Parker's dirt bike before firing it up. The rumble of bikes intensifies as I ride off around Eastlynne's house. We all have experience when it comes to riding rough terrain and giving chase through the pastures.

Not only did we grow up at a ranch where we ride and breed horses and Longhorns, but we also love riding our motorcycles. We use both horses and bikes to herd cattle. Our livestock is used to it and it definitely gives us an advantage when it comes to riding hot blood, or cold steel.

I scan my surroundings, knowing the guy who attacked Cosima in the stables couldn't have been alone. Which reminds me, I have some cleaning up to do since we have a dead body lying in Eastlynne's stable.

At least the horses are safe. For now. I can't begin to imagine what those fuckers will do to them if they do get their hands on any of our horses. Thank fuck Parker came over as soon as they found out about the herd breaking free.

Parker was right to assume it might be a diversion and he put some of the brothers on stakeout to guard our stables and pastures through the security cameras. Thank fuck we have a huge brotherhood with lots of people, both older and younger generations who can help out.

The experience of the older generation is comforting since they have been through their share of danger. This time, though? I'm the president and the responsibility lands on my shoulders. Not only that, but my old lady's sister was hurt because of the club. Feeling guilty doesn't do shit, however, getting revenge is rather soothing.

The burn of flesh being torn makes me hiss, and the sound of the gunshot catching up causes my body to jump into action. Instead of riding a straight line, I start to move to avoid being a sitting duck while I figure out where the gunshot came from.

Movement near a tree catches my attention and I point my bloody arm in that direction. I can see my brothers spreading out in that direction. Walker fires his gun, and I can see the man who was shooting at us take a hit.

He tries to grab the reins of his horse, but the animal is spooked and throws its head in the air. The roar of our bikes adds to the animal's distress, clearly not used to it like our horses are and it staggers to break free.

We're closing in on the fucker, but we're too slow to prevent what he's doing. Gunshots ring out and Walker manages to kill the fucker but not before the idiot shoots at his horse. I bring the bike to a stop and jump off.

Walker is already kicking the gun from the dead man's hand while I try to calm down the injured and cornered horse. I keep my voice even and calm while muttering soothing words. He lets me take the reins and I get my first look at the flesh wound on his neck.

"There, there, boy. You're going to be just fine," I murmur and turn to Walker. "Text Parker to let him know I need him in Eastlynne's stable. Have Decker bring his daughter up to speed about all this shit. There are going to be too many bodies to hide otherwise. Oh, and I need a few of you to check the property for our cattle, and there might be another horse from the dead fucker in Eastlynne's stable."

"You got it, Prez," Walker rumbles.

It's a long walk to Eastlynne's place and I'm relieved when I see Parker standing in front of the stables. He's utterly calm as he approaches the horse to inspect the wound.

"Let me take him," he says and I hand him the reins. "Walker called ahead and I have everything set to clean the wound. I'll stitch it up and put a drain into it. I can't believe some people. Thank fuck he's dead, shooting his own damn horse."

"We need to take all of them out. I ordered Decker to bring in Kathleen. This shit is getting too damn twisted and we have two dead bodies which I assume can be linked to Erwin Desmond. She can build a case against him, and I'm not afraid to testify to the fact that one of his handlers shot and injured a horse."

"Good," Parker rumbles. "I don't mind hiding a body, but a whole pile is a bit of a fuss and my back will appreciate the help."

I nod and ask, "How's Cosima doing?"

"Mild concussion. The swelling and bruising around the eyes will become worse over the upcoming few days. She has bruised ribs where the fucker kicked her. It will take a few weeks for her to recover. At least there isn't any permanent damage. They'll know for sure when she's able to open her eyes. For now they're swollen shut. She has a follow-up appointment set at the hospital when the swelling has gone down." Parker sighs and gently pets the horse's nose. "I don't know about the mental trauma. She's holding strong with the jokes and tough shit she throws out, but it might just be her way of coping."

"She lives with my old lady and Cosima has always been there for her sister, so I damn well know she'll be returning the favor. I'll keep an eye out as well."

Parker nods. "Keep me posted. I'm going to take care of this one. You should have yourself checked as well. Flesh wound?"

I glance at my bloody arm and wince before I give Parker a chin lift. I stroll in the direction of the house, needing to handle a few tasks myself before I can spend time with Eastlynne. Hell, I hope she doesn't blame me for bringing the heat to her place, and getting her sister injured.

She didn't seem to be, but there's been enough time in between for her to realize exactly what happened. It'll add to the pressure of what it all entails to be the president's old lady. I know damn well she created her own safe haven to balance her anxiety and other issues, and a load of havoc just landed on her doorstep…and it was me who opened the door to all of it.