Facing My Demons (Devil's Right Hand MC #1)

Chapter 31

Clove's POV

My entire body screams in protest with every step I take, but I have to at least make it up the staircase before I let the pain show. Jesse has to believe I am perfectly fine. I will not give him the satisfaction of knowing how deeply he actually hurt me. I can feel the adrenaline leaving my body as the pain and anxiety enter it, but I have to hold on a little longer. Wolf holds me steady as we climb the staircase and Bullet, Grace, and Amber follow. As my feet move, I still feel like this is a dream. There was a point in time where I thought the only way I would leave this damn basement was in a body bag.

I can tell everyone is shocked by the recent events and honestly, so am I. Of course, I hoped I would have the strength to stand up to Jesse, but in that moment it was never even a question. It was as if I left my body and someone much stronger entered it. No matter the reason, I am proud of myself for doing what 17-year-old Clove thought would never happen, I finally got justice.

As I finally reach the top of the staircase, my legs feel like they are on fire and my ribs feel like they are breaking every time I inhale. While I still believe all my injuries are treatable, I underestimated how badly they would hurt, pain does not even cover a fraction of what I am truly feeling.

"Hold on a minute," I gasp as I try to catch my breath. It feels like I climbed 20 flights of stairs instead of just one.

"Baby, just let me carry you to the van. It's parked at another house to cover our tracks," Wolf tries once again. A few minutes ago I was so sure I didn't need any help, but now I don't think I will make it to the van any other way.

"Okay," I mutter as he gently picks me up bridal style and we walk out of the house. I hope they burn the damn thing down once they are finished. This house has evil baked into its bones.

"Clove, I have some pain medicine in the van I can give you," Bullet says. I'm sure everybody noticed my erratic breathing and painful grunts even though I am trying to hide it.

"It's not that bad," I lie. Honestly, I don't know why I feel obligated to put on the tough-guy act for them, but I can see the guilt in their eyes and I don't want to make it any worse.

"I'll give it to you anyway," Bullet says simply and I nod in response.

Once we reach the van, Amber and Grace hop in the front while Bullet opens the back door. The van was clearly once a cargo van, but now there are long padded benches on either side attached to the van's structure. Wolf tries placing me down so I am standing beside him, but when my left foot hits the pavement, my entire leg gives out. He is quick to grab me, but the rough and unexpected pressure on my ribs makes me cry out in pain.

"Fuck," Wolf curses unsure of how he can help me without hurting me further.

"I'm fine just give me a second," I say as I try to steady my breathing. I really underestimated how badly this would fucking hurt.

"How the fuck did you just shoot a gun?" Wolf mutters to himself.

"Adrenaline," Bullet, Grace, and I all answer at the same time.

Finally, I have enough balance to crawl into the van and sit on the closest bench. After everybody is in, Grace starts the engine and we begin driving home. I am going home.

"How far of a drive is it?" I ask.

"Like 30 minutes," Grace answers from the driver's seat.

"More like 45 'cause Grace is going to actually follow the speed limit this time," Amber corrects.

"Here Clove," Bullet says as he hands me a large white pill and a bottle of water, "what hurts the most?" 

"My left leg," I reply as I swallow the pill.