Read Online When Dove Cries by Beth D. Carter - Free Book Online Page A

the bag. Then she reached up and covered Cade’s hand, which rested on the wheelchair’s handlebars, with her own. She saw Dr. Blake glance at the obvious sign of unity.
    “Listen, I’m sorry about the things I said. If you need anything, please let me know.” He held out a card. “My cell number is on the back.”
    “Okay,” she murmured. She still felt a little resentment at his negative comments, but she took his card and slipped it into her bag.
    He stepped aside, and Cade pushed her into the elevator. The rest of them crowded in around her, and it was a comforting feeling. She was really blessed that it was Cade and Draven who had found and rescued her.
    The hospital was pretty empty as Cade pushed her toward the sliding doors. They swished open, and she saw Draven jump out of the truck to open the passenger side. The front wheel of the chair hit a break in the concrete, and it jolted a little, causing her to lose her hold of her bag full of goodies. It flopped to the ground and spilled.
    “Darn,” she muttered.
    “Got it,” Nimrod said, who had been walking beside her. As he bent in front of her to help gather her items, a shot rang out, and Nimrod fell into her lap. For a split second, her mind couldn’t comprehend what had happened, and she simply stared at the young man draped across her. But the others understood.
    “Get them back!” North shouted and pulled out a slick black gun from somewhere. He grabbed Allis’ arm and yanked her behind him as he stepped in front of Dove and Nimrod. Branch grabbed Nimrod and dragged him back into the hospital before helping North. They used their bodies as shields as Cade backpedaled to safety.
    “Help us!” Cade shouted. “He’s been shot!”
    Several nurses ran as well as a passing doctor. All Dove could do was watch with big eyes as Branch laid the unconscious biker on the floor and let the staff take over. As soon as they’d swooped in, Branch, North and Draven took off out of the door.
    “Go,” Allis told Cade, nodding her head toward the door. “I’ll stay with Dove. I know you want to chase down the bastard who did this.”
    Cade didn’t even waste another breath. As he ran toward the entrance again, Dove watched as he pulled out a gun. She saw the rest of the Red Wolves running and her heart jumped into her throat. She prayed that they would all be okay. She didn’t want anyone hurt.
    The medical staff lifted Nimrod and placed him on a gurney, not even bothering to talk to Dove or Allis as they rushed him toward the ER. Allis pushed her wheelchair over to some chairs and sank down, shaking from head to toe. Dove rose from the wheelchair, then hurried over and put her arms around her new friend. Allis hugged her back.
    “I hate this,” Allis whispered.
    Guilt flooded Dove. She’d done this. She’d brought a killer into their midst. She’d been the one who had gotten Nimrod shot. It was all her fault. Her stomach clenched with the knowledge that she had hurt her friends.
    “I’m so sorry,” she said. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she struggled not to cry.
    Allis pulled back enough to look at her. “Why are you sorry?”
    “This was because of me.”
    “No,” Allis said, shaking her head. “Don’t you realize that if Nimrod hadn’t stepped in front of you, you’d be dead?”
    No, actually, that hadn’t occurred to her. A whole new slew of guilt slammed into her. She couldn’t keep the tears at bay. They coursed down her cheeks.
    “Don’t do that,” Allis ordered, but her tone was so gentle it just made Dove cry harder.
    “I-I’m sorry,” Dove stuttered. “I-it’s my thing. I cry whenever I’m too stressed. My father used to tease me about it.”
    “Well, being with the Red Wolves can be stressful. Not too long ago, I brought a heap of trouble to them in the form of another gang called the Tribe, so I understand your guilt, Dove.”
    “What happened?”
    “They shot up my house.”
    Dove’s mouth dropped in shock.