Chapter 4

Hot and sticky and absolutely everywhere. Danny tugged Pike away from the worst of the glass. Jumped up to grab a clean bar rag, then pressed it to the worst cut on Pike’s shoulder. He eyed another high on his cheek that probably needed pressure on it as well, but he was out of hands. And more than a little worried the rag was going to give Pike a nasty infection. Did that happen fast? Was there time to call anyone? Get Pike to the clinic before sepsis or blood poisoning set in?

Panting, face white where the blood wasn’t slicking his skin, Pike tipped his head back. “Seth is gonna be so pissed. I promised him I’d be careful.”

“And he believed you?” Danny clamped his lips shut at the hurt look Pike immediately hid behind a shuttered expression, then blew out a breath. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I was going to tell you it was a bad idea to stuff the bottles onto the shelf when you couldn’t see how little space there was.” He glanced over as the galley door opened and Keiran strode up to their side, bending over, another rag already in hand. His pulse pounded in his skull, some of the panic seeping in now that someone was here who could take charge. “I don’t know how many places he was cut. He needs a doctor. Jared—”

Keiran shook his head. “He’s in surgery. Avery went over to the clinic to let him know what’s going on the minute he gets out because his phone’s off. Wren’s meeting us in the club clinic. He knows enough to patch him up, at least for now.” Giving Pike a bracing smile, Keiran brought the younger man’s hand up to hold the rag against his cheek, then slid an arm behind Pike’s back and under his bent knees. “We’ll take good care of you, okay?”

Throat working, Pike nodded, then lowered his gaze. Tears glistened on his lashes, which he quickly wiped away with the sleeve of his oversized blue sweater, clearing his throat. “I’m good. Not like I haven’t gotten through worse. Fuck, Seth and Quint get cuts like this and they slap a few BandAids on and continue with their day. I’m Gucci.”

“Uh huh.” Keiran’s lips thinned as he lifted Pike, then carried him across the bar, his measured pace making it easy for Danny to keep up at a slow jog. “It hurts like hell, Galletita. And you’re scared because Seth and Quint aren’t here. There’s no need to put on a brave face, we’re family.”

Pike’s brow furrowed a bit before he closed his eyes and drew in a shaky breath. “That hasn’t meant anything good for a long time until...until Curtis.” His eyes shot open and he stared at Keiran as Danny held open the gym door for them. “Don’t tell him. He’s busy and this is stupid shit to bug him with.”

The last got him a raised brow from Keiran, though the other sub didn’t comment as he carried Pike to the clinic, where Wren already had the door open.

Inside, Rhodey was waiting, arms folded over his broad chest, his expression unreadable. He watched Keiran lay Pike on the exam table while Wren went to scrub his hands and begin collecting all the supplies he’d need.

The Dom was scary on a good day. This definitely wasn’t one. Danny hung back, not sure if he was needed anymore or if he’d annoy the big man by sticking around.

So far, the Dom hardly seemed to notice him.

“I promised your Dom I’d keep you in one piece.” Rhodey clucked his tongue as he pushed away from the wall. “If you wanted some pain to take the edge off, you could’ve just told me.”

Brushing his hand over Pike’s hair as Wren began cleaning the wounds, Keiran gave Rhodey a look. “That’s not funny. He’s had a rough morning. Don’t scare him.”

Pike made an irritated sound, speaking through gritted teeth as Wren poured a clear liquid over one of the deeper cuts on his shoulder. “I ain’t scared of him. And I am in one piece. All body parts accounted for.”

“That’s true, but I wouldn’t have minded if you’d lost part of your ear or a finger.” Wren’s comments were made in a distracted tone, his focus on following the procedures he’d been taught so intense he didn’t really seem to be paying attention to his own words. Or their potential impact. “I’ve done a lot of research on how to reattach small body parts. The chance to practice would come in handy.”