Once we were both dry enough, I picked her up and carried her to bed. After a quick bandage change, we laid together in an actual bed for the first time and drifted to sleep as one.
****
There was a knock on the door.
I'd woken up before Flora. Part of that was because I was terrified she'd be gone when I opened my eyes. The way her head rested on my shoulder, though, I knew that wasn't a valid fear any longer.
I'd laid in bed for a while, just listening to her breathe. I thought back to that first night in Roach's place when I'd done the same, but while on the floor. I'd dreamed of what it would be like to be where I was now.
If the Ronin then knew what was in store, would he have stuck it out or run screaming? I honestly didn't know for sure. That version of me seemed like such a different person now. So far removed.
The knocking came again.
Flora groaned and pushed herself onto her side in a pitiful attempt to wake up. “Is there someone at the door?”
I sighed. I'd held onto her as long as I could, but the rest of the world had caught up. I stood, throwing on a pair of boxers. My clothes were still wet from that glorious shower sex, but I did find a powder blue bathrobe. It wasn't the most flattering thing, but it did cover what it was meant to.
Poet's lean build braced against the adjacent exterior wall when I opened the door. He cocked his head back, brushing his shaggy brown hair out of his face. “And now good-morrow to our waking souls. That's a good look on you.”
I shook my head and smiled. I knew someone was going to stop by, but I didn't think it'd be him. “It helps me get in touch with my tender side. Hey, Rem. Good to see that you made it.” We embraced like only bikers could. “Don't you have a club to run?”
“It's going to take a few weeks to clean up our involvement in this mess. Consider this my lunch break.”
“The Knights?” I asked with more curiosity than concern.
“All but dismantled. With no leadership or income, the rest of their chapters will either splinter off or dissolve. Either way, they're no longer a threat to us. You were right, going after them now was the correct play.”
I nodded. “You gonna torch the mansion?”
“We'll salvage whatever we can to recoup our losses, compensate our fallen brothers' families, and to get those girls somewhere safe.”
With the mountain of drugs in there, it was almost a shame we didn't deal. Drugs were a dirty game, one I've always been glad we weren't playing anymore. “If we're not going to burn it, what comes next??
“After we scrub the place, there won't be any proof we were there. We'll let the cops do their jobs. With some well placed bribes, it should look like Lucky got ambitious and used his Knights to go after his brothers' trafficking empire. The cops get to be the heroes for toppling two massive criminal organizations, and we get to stay out of the news.” Poet shrugged. “Win win.”
Remy had vision, that was for sure. It was why he was running things. The man was an artist at finding all the angles.
“Damn, I was hoping for a parade in my honor.”
Remy snorted. “Maybe next time.”
“With all the wreckage to get out in front of, I figured I'd only get a phone call from you, if anything at all. What brings you here?”
“Yeah, well. I couldn't give you your bike through the phone.”
“No shit...” In all the chaos, I hadn't had the chance to ask Flora where she'd left it. I think part of the reason I didn't bring it up was because I was worried she'd say that it was destroyed or something. I nearly jogged past him.
Barefoot and in the bathrobe, I went far enough down the outside hallway for the cracked parking lot to come into view. There were a few beater cars around, but it was otherwise empty. The only exceptions were an idling black SUV, with a few Steel Veins hanging around smoking, and the familia,r dusty chrome of my heavily missed bike.
And my bike's rider?
Claudine hung her helmet on the handlebars, making her way toward us.
“We found it in the grass near the house,” Remy said, casually approaching up to me.
“You let her ride my bike?”
“She said she was a friend of yours, and I wasn't going to let her ride mine.” He slapped me on the back and gave me a sly grin.
It was a short walk that brought her to us. Claudine looked about as rested as she could be, all things considered. “Morning, Ronin. Is Flora awake?”
“Should be. Room twenty-three.”
“Thanks.” Smoothing her hair, she walked around me.
I grabbed her hand as she passed. “Good choice.”
Claudine smiled, catching my meaning. I was glad she'd stayed. Passing me, she headed towards my room.
“So what's next for you, Ronin?” Poet leaned his back against the railing.