“I’ll head out to the house and pick some shit up for them,” Snake said.
“Butler, will you take the kids to Vincent? He knows what’s going on and is keeping an eye on everything. Where’s Pussy?”
“He’s back at the clubhouse. Sasha’s got the flu, and he’s taking care of her.”
“Okay, get Death to handle the decorators for the strip club. I want that up and running by February at the latest,” Devil said.
“Prez, none of us care about the money. Judi needs to survive this,” Curse said.
They all agreed. The strip club and the income it would make could wait. One of their own was down. They needed to focus on Judi getting well and being there for Ripper when he needed them most. They were all a family. If they lost her, Ripper was gone as well. They would all mourn Judi’s loss.
****
Jessica finished binding up the arm of a five-year-old who’d fallen downstairs from all the excitement. Tansy was helping Milford with Judi. She didn’t know what was going on with Judi. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did. Giving the instructions on caring for the arm to the child’s mother, she saw them out of the room, giving them directions on where to go. When it was finished, she wrote up the chart taking it through to the main reception. The Chaos Bleeds crew was still waiting. She didn’t see any signs of Snake. Grabbing another chart, she called one of the women through.
“I don’t like them being in the hospital,” the woman said.
“Please take a seat on the bed.” Glancing through the chart, Jessica saw she was having some abdominal pain. She asked the necessary questions, pressed lightly on her stomach. “I’m going to take you for an x-ray.”
“Is it serious?”
“I’ll see what the x-rays tell me.”
“No, not about me. I’m talking about those bikers being here. I’d love to know.”
Gossiping townsfolk pissed Jessica off more than anything. “I can’t disclose as to why they’re here.”
“Biker groups are so bad and dangerous. Have you seen the women who hang around them? They’re sluts, all of them. I wouldn’t dream of being near them even in my day when I was a looker.”
Rolling her eyes, Jessica helped the woman into a wheelchair.
My job is to care.
Jessica listened as the woman kept on talking about everything she hated about bikers and how they were bringing the town of Piston County down.
Jessica bit her lip, going behind the protective shield while the x-ray was happening.
“You’ve got a talkative one today, Jess,” Malcolm, the guy who took the pictures, said.
“She hates bikers.”
“I feel sorry for them,” Malcolm said. “I heard one of their women was inside. Pre-eclampsia?”
“Yeah, I know.” Jessica signed some forms, putting her pen back into her uniform.
“They’re in here, and they’ve got women like her making it hard. From what I know, they pay their taxes and keep to themselves.”
Jessica had heard a lot more than that but kept her mouth shut.
“Thank you, Malcolm.”
The woman had wind built up, which was causing her pain. She got the doctor, Milford, to sign off on some laxatives, and rest.
“So, how about that coffee?”
“I’m having coffee with Snake. Sorry,” she said, glancing down at her watch.
“You should really think about who you associate with,” Milford said.
“And why is that?”
“The reputation of this hospital for one.”
Cocking her head to the side, Jessica stared at Milford. “Look, I can have a coffee with whoever I want just like you can choose to screw who you want to. Back off, Milford. You’re not getting into my pants.”
He raised a brow. “Are you going to threaten me with sexual harassment?”
“No. You’re not harassing me, but I can make your life just as uncomfortable as you can make mine. Think about that, Milford.” Turning on her heel, she gave the woman a prescription then made her way out to the reception room. Snake was waiting for her. He was surrounded by several brothers.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him. “Coffee?”
“You’ve decided to have one with me now?”
“Please, Snake. I’m not in the mood.”
“You said please?”
“So, come on. Coffee.” She didn’t stand around waiting for him. Behind her, she heard several catcalls follow him.
“Where’s the lunch room?”
“Upstairs off the child’s ward.” She took the stairs, not wanting to be alone with him in the elevator. When Snake crowded her, she didn’t seem to be able to keep any focus on herself. Walking up the steps, she was aware of his presence on the way up behind her.