Page 69 of Celtic Dragon
“I sure will.”
“Thanks again.”
“Don’t mention it. You pay me well for my services.”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “Yeah, we do.”
The nurse at the nursing station on Brianne’s floor informs us that Brianne had a couple of rough days, but that she is awake and had a little to eat this morning.
Emma leads the way to Brianne’s room and I follow behind. When we reach the door, Ari, Hawk, and Spike remain outside, while Emma opens the door and peeks her head inside. “Bri?”
Brianne smiles when she sees Emma. “Em. You’re here.”
“Of course I’m here. Where else would I be?” Emma says as she walks further into the room.
I follow behind her and I notice that the smile on Brianne’s face disappears as she spots me. She is horrified, but I’m not sure why.
“Who’s that?” she asks Emma fearfully.
Smiling, Emma says, “This is Caden. He is the one that brought you here. He saved your life.”
“Is he a biker?” she asks.
“He is.”
“I don’t want him in here. He’ll take me away again,” she says, terrified. I guess I can understand her fear, she probably thinks I’m one of the bikers that got her drugged up in the first place.
Emma turns to me and says, “Why don’t you wait outside until I talk to her?” I nod and turn to leave the room.
“What’s wrong?” Ari asks as I step out of Brianne’s room.
“Nothing, I think I scared her a bit. I shouldn’t have worn my cut.”
“Oh, I guess she would be a little leery of bikers.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think about that.”
A few minutes later, Emma comes out and says, “It’s ok, you can come in now.”
I follow her into Brianne’s room and as I approach her she says, “Thank you. I understand I owe you my life.”
“You don’t owe me anything. How are you?”
“I have a raging headache and I’m jonesing for a fix. Other than that, I’m doing just fine.”
“I don’t know if Emma told you or not, but we’re sending you to a rehab center in Erie called the Gage House. Hopefully, they can help you overcome your need for a fix and we can get you on the mend and back to your old self. When you’re better, we’ll get you settled back home.”
“Where’s Mark?” she asks.
Emma looks at me; apparently she’s gonna let me answer this one. “He’s gone. He won’t bother you anymore.”
“And Skid?”
“He won’t bother you either.”
She looks at me warily, but drops the subject. “When are they taking me to the Gage House?”
“Probably tomorrow. I will have to check with your doctor to make sure.”
