***
The cell phone ringing on the table next to the bed woke Cash from a deep sleep. Rolling over, he snagged the phone and raised it to his ear.
Viper came out of the bathroom leaving Evie to finish her shower alone and saw that Cash was sitting on his bed talking on his cell phone with Bliss laying naked by his side. The club’s usual Friday night gathering had ended up with the four of them in his room. Now he just wanted them all to leave so that he could get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast. Ignoring the others in the room, he went to his chest and pulled out his jeans and shirt. By the look on Cash’s face whatever news he was receiving was bad.
Evie waved on her way out the door giving Bliss a look that couldn’t be mistaken. Taking the hint Bliss climbed out of his bed. Coming to stand in front of him she reached up to place a kiss on his lips. He wanted to turn away but didn’t, letting her have her moment.
“Thanks Viper.”
“Thank you, Bliss.” Giving a cheeky grin, the woman left. He was sure to gather the women together to make a run to town to get the tattoo proclaiming her a full fledged member.
“Viper.”
Viper sat down on the bed, putting his boots on. He turned to see Cash getting dressed.
“What’s up?”
“Don’t know how to tell you this so I am just going to tell you like it is. That was the sheriff’s office. They need me to track a suspect into the mountains that almost beat a woman to death last night. They didn’t find her until this morning when security got there to open the school for a basketball practice.”
Viper sat there in the chair and knew whom Cash was talking about. He had warned Winter a hundred times about staying at school so late.
“How bad?” Cash tugged on his boots, while grabbing his bike keys off the nightstand. He hurried to the bedroom door pausing just long enough to tell him what information he had been given.
“Bad. He almost beat her to death, and then she lay in the parking lot exposed to the elements all fucking night. The Sheriff doesn’t think she is going to make it. Sorry man, but I have to go. They are waiting for me.”
“Go.” Cash didn’t have to be told twice.
As Viper was walking out, he could hear the sound of Cash’s bike as he throttled it down the mountain road. His hand reached out to grab the handlebar of his bike but he couldn’t climb on. He was too busy vomiting.
***
Pain. That was all she knew for the longest time. At first when she would try to wake up, the pain would drive her back into unconsciousness. When she was able, after the longest time, to open her swollen eyes, her screams of pain could be heard down the hallways and the nurses would rush to inject her with more pain medication.
Winter learned eventually to wake slowly with as little movement as possible until the pain medication could take effect. Lying still was a torture in itself to someone as active as she had been. Completely at the mercy of various nurses, they cared for all her basic needs, taking away what little pride she had left. Her mind would drift away when they would impersonally clean her, changing the pads and sheets underneath her broken body.
The worst was when the doctor considered her lucid enough to give her details of her condition. The medical terms were hard to understand with the pain medication clouding her mind. The nurse, understanding her confusion, waited until the doctor left to explain that she had a vertebral fracture, which they had to operate on in order to stabilize. The brace she was in would be on for several weeks and she was going to require therapy to return to normal. The concussion must have come from having her head slammed into the car window that had left a large gash across her forehead, requiring sutures that would undoubtedly leave a scar. Her jaw had been fractured, and two of her ribs were cracked. When she was finished answering Winter’s questions she reassured her that she would heal, given time.
The gossipmongers that came by to see her were never given admittance to her room. The first words Winter spoke was to keep visitors out. She had no family left and the few friends she wanted to see were put on a list. A security guard was placed outside her door when Viper tried repeatedly to gain admittance. She didn’t want his sympathy and she certainly didn’t want him to see her looking like a prizefighter after twelve rounds.
Viper would sit in the waiting area, which luckily for him, was a few feet away from her door. He became a master at reading the nurses’ and doctor’s expressions as they
left her room-whether she was having a good day, or one in which even medication didn’t help. He knew what the doctors were going to tell her before she did. He had bribed the nurses on duty to see her doctors’ notes and to make sure she was taken care of the way he wanted.
He was watching her door when he saw the Sheriff coming down the hallway. Their eyes met before he entered Winter’s room. He also knew that she was about to find out who was responsible for putting her in the hospital; the man that Viper had every intention of killing.
Chapter 3
The door opening didn’t even draw Winter’s attention. She had become so use to the nurses coming and going, it wasn’t until the Sheriff moved to stand in front of her that she lifted her eyes. Even a man who had been through two tours in the military and cleaned up many fatalities flinched when he saw her face.
“Winter.”
“Sheriff.”
“I waited until the doctor said it would be okay to let you know what happened.” Will Hunter had been sheriff for several years and while she liked and respected him, she couldn’t help but hold a grudge that he hadn’t taken her more seriously when she called to report Viper’s trespassing.
“I already know what happened. What I want to know is who?”
“Jake, he blamed you for telling Carmen’s parents that he was mistreating her.”
Her eyes deadened even further if possible.
“He ran off into the mountains and we tracked him down. He’s in custody. What I need to know is, did you see his face?”
“No, he attacked me from behind. I was too disoriented to see who did it. How do you know it was Jake?”
He really did not want to tell her this part but knew if he didn’t that someone else would.
“He paid Carmen’s parents a visit before you. Luckily they weren’t home. Trashed everything in the house, then set it on fire. One of the neighbors saw him running out of the house.
“The doctor told me I almost didn’t make it.”
The sheriff nodded. “You’re going to recover Winter.”
He wanted to reach out and touch her hand but there wasn’t a place that wasn’t covered in bruises.
“That’s what they say,” Winter turned her head away not wanting the Sheriff to see how upset she was that one of her former students had hated her enough to almost kill her.
“You will heal, it will be a long journey but you will make it, Winter. You have a lot of people who care about you and want to see you.”
Winter turned her head back to face him, “Is he still outside?”
“They say he has been here since the day they brought you in.”
“Make him leave. I don’t want him here.”
“I’ll take care of it, anything else?”
“No.” Winter closed her eyes letting the medication put her to sleep with a click of a button. The sheriff stood by her bed until he was sure she was asleep before he left.
Viper watched closely as he came out the door and sat down silently next to him, his hat in his hand.
“She wants you to leave, I told her I would get you to.”
“I am not leaving.”
“I know, but I am telling you now it’s a wasted effort.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes you do. You’re not going to earn her forgiveness sitting outside her closed door. Go home, get some rest, take care of business. Winter has a long road ahead of her. When she gets out of here, she’ll need you then. You won’t be any help if you’re burned out before she’s even released. Right now she has good care, you’ve seen to that. Reserve your strength for when you’ll need it the most.
“I can’t leave until I see her.”
“You’ll go home if I let you in for a minute?”
“Yes.” He couldn’t leave until he assured himself it was her living and breathing behind that door.
“Ok I shouldn’t be doing this so make sure you don’t wake her. She’s still pissed about the last time.”
The sheriff went to the door telling the security guard he would keep an eye on the door while he went and got a cup of coffee. He motioned to Viper as soon as the guard turned the corner; he opened the door for Viper to enter after checking to make sure she was still sleeping.
“One minute,” he warned.
Viper gave him a nod and entered the room. A few minutes later he quietly closed the door behind him with a grim nod, he kept his word.
***
“Do you understand these instructions?” The nurse waited patiently for Winter to sign the release papers.
“Yes.”
“I will send someone in to help you to your ride.”
“Wait, they aren’t here yet.” Winter tried to keep the worry out of her voice.
“Yes, I am.” Beth smiled brightly as she pushed opened the door.
Winter released a relieved breath. She had broken down a week ago and called Beth to work for her until she was back on her feet again. It was either hire Beth or a convalescence home. Beth had helped when her mother was ill and Winter, not knowing where else to turn called her. Beth had immediately accepted.
“I was outside talking to your doctor. I also found a physical therapist that is going to start tomorrow.” It always amazed Winter how Beth could be a little oblivious about what was happening around her but when it came to her job, the woman was completely OCD.
“Thanks Beth, I don’t know what I would do without you. The thought of having to stay even longer in this rehab center is getting to me.” The hospital in Treepoint had released her to a rehab center in Lexington where she was gradually learning to walk again after six weeks but Winter wanted to go home. While it would be a long time before she could return to work, she would be able to go home with certain conditions. Someone would have to stay with her until she was a little more mobile. The doctors had assured her she would fully recover but in the meantime she had to use a wheelchair as she regained her strength. She would also need physical therapy if she was going to continue to progress in her recovery.
“I plan to have you back on your feet in no time Winter. I just hope you don’t hate me for my methods.”
“You get me back on my feet, I will be grateful.” She assured her.
“I am going to hold you to that.” Beth replied. “Let’s hit the road. We have a long drive home.” Beth grasped Winter’s suitcases and followed as the nurse pushed her outside to the waiting car. Once they were situated inside, they were on their way.
The drive home took several hours. Winter fell asleep in the backseat where Beth had made her comfortable with several pillows and a blanket. She woke up when they pulled up in front of a drive-thru twenty minutes from home.
“I was hungry, I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I’m starving myself.” They ate burgers and fries and it was the best meal Winter had ever tasted.
“I need to use the restroom. Will you be alright for a few minutes?” Beth turned around in her seat to ask Winter.
“Of course, I’ll wait here.” Beth smiled at Winter’s show of humor, as she left the car to go to the restroom. It didn’t take long before she was sliding back into the car.
The rest of the ride didn’t take long. Winter stared out the window as they drove through the town. Nothing had changed since her attack. The same businesses and signs were there, the same potholes, even the same regulars going into the diner for a meal. Everything was the same except her.
Winter noticed that Beth had quit talking, her fingers tight on the wheel. Thinking she had something on her mind and wasn’t paying attention, Winter casually reminded her when she drove past the street her house was on.
“Remember when I said you were going to hate me? We aren’t going to your home. I’m taking you where you will have plenty of help.” Beth’s voice was soft but firm.
Winter had a terrible sinking feeling. “Your house?”
“No, the problem is my schedule is so full you would be left alone for long periods of time. You need a hot tub to relax those muscles. You are going to need help maneuvering around until you regain your strength and I have the perfect place.” Beth took a deep breath and released it. “Razer’s house.”