Relinquish by Sapphire Knight

Screeches of horns go off, the drivers probably thinking I’m some thug biker trying to drive like an irresponsible fuckwit. If these people only knew it was to get away from a gun, they’d shit themselves.
    I would throw my finger to the idiot honking at us. You don’t honk at people in Texas, especially a biker. Your ass could end up shot or in a fist fight. I’m too busy trying to dodge this Snake behind me to pay attention to some nerd getting brave inside a car. Bet the little douche wouldn’t be doing shit if we were face to face somewhere. I hear a loud ‘pop’ and floor it. The fuck’s shooting at us, I know it. I hope Avery puts that Glock to use and rings his ass back. Maybe he’ll wreck or something and I can lose him enough to get to the club.
    “It was a car tire, on a car back there. It went out!” Avery screams loudly so I can hear her over the roar of my engine and the wind. Looking in the side mirror I see a car pulled to the side, so she’s gotta be right. The best fucking thing actually. It screwed up traffic so bad the Snake’s trying to get through the cluster. This area is horrible for accidents, especially with all the road construction always going on. There seems to be someone in a wreck or getting a flat every time I ride on it. Granted, that’s not much, but still. I’m going to take every advantage of this right now.
    I hit the next exit and take the back farm road to the road that leads to the club. It’s dusty and bumpy. We only ride on this for a really secret run or we all know to use it for an emergency. In this situation, I have to get to the club, so I have to use it. Avery squeaks occasionally when we hit a bump. I know I’m gonna have to check my girl out tomorrow, poor bike. She ain’t good for this kinda shit. Avery’s probably gonna be sore as fuck from holding on and all the bumps. I’ve gotten used to it and adapted over the years.
    Fuck, Prez is gonna flip the fuck out when he hears ‘bout this shit. Cain will go ballistic if he thinks London and Jamison will be in any danger. That guy’s like a fucking bear when it comes to his family.. Fuck, I can feel Avery shaking like crazy behind me. I bet she’s scared out of her mind.
    “It’s okay, Shorty, we will be there in a few minutes and you can lie down and relax.” I reach back and rest my hand on her thigh. “You good?”
    “Umm,” she groans and I feel her shake even more.
    “Avery? What’s goin’ on, talk to me.” I squeeze her leg a few times and she stays quiet. “Yo, babe? The fuck?” She starts to sob into the back of my cut and buries her head into the leather. I keep quiet, concentrating on the ride and getting to the club as soon as possible. I can’t believe this shit happened while she was with me. It angers me that the asshole was shooting at me, but to do it and threaten Avery? Makes me fucking boil inside.
    We arrive at the club about five minutes later. I know she’s shook up and probably won’t walk well after that. “Hey, Shorty, let me get off first, you’ll probably be a little wobbly.” She stays quiet and I scrunch my forehead. I know it was scary for her, but if she can’t handle that little bit, she definitely won’t be able to handle this life.
    I get off the bike, taking in the full parking lot. Looks like everyone made it home and we have a full house. Cain’s Challenger is here so that means even London and the baby are here too. I turn to help Avery. She’s ghostly pale and her lip is trembling. “Free bird. It’s not so bad, come ‘ere.”
    “I’ve-I-I’ve been sh-shot,” she says as tears trail down her face. I desperately scan over her body. She looks down to her leg and I see blood oozing out of the side of her thigh. Fuck! I look at my hand that was just holding her leg and see it’s covered in blood. How the fuck did I not notice this? It had to be the adrenaline, to make me so oblivious to the feeling. I clutch her into my arms hastily and start