Chapter 12: Familiar Emotions

—Twelve—

The anger brewing inside Twelve was the most familiar thing about this situation. He recognized anger, it was comforting in that it held a strict place in his normal routine. What he did not recognize was the imminent worry for this small, bubbly blonde.

She seemed to have a hook in him that he didn't even realize was there. He wanted to blame the cookies, but truly, he liked her. A lot. He'd come to anticipate her arrival at Rusty's and he only ever left the clubhouse if he had business to take care of or if it were Saturday.

Having her infront of him, bruised, bloody, and scared, it cut him to his core. He'd dismember anyone who hurt a woman, but to this extent, and to Kinny? He was ready to go nuclear at any moment. He had gotten her to her sofa when she clutched at her stomach and he saw the blood stains.

He went pale when he realized that there might be more extensive than she was letting on. He knew he should have given a warning, but he reached for her shirt and lifted it just enough to see the large piece of gauze taped over it.

Blood was speckled across it and when he met her soft, pained gaze, he stood abruptly. "What did they use?" There was no hiding the raw emotion in his voice, though he did clear his throat in an attempt.

Twelve's knees nearly went weak when she only looked down, and peeled back the gauze. She didn't have to say anything for him to piece together the fuckers used a knife. She was stabbed and she was still here, still alive. The men that did this to her? Not for very long.