Chapter 16
Once I awakened in my hospital room and Mom, Dad, Cass, and Heath filled in my blank spots, it all rushed back to me, including Dutch and Buck’s gory deaths. I had a host of sprains, bruises, breaks, and contusions.
I couldn’t believe how my sister hugged me so tightly and burst into tears. Hopefully, it was a new beginning for us. Dad and Heath hovered. And my mom?
For the rest of my life, I’d carry her words with me.
“Effie, my darling, I’d never been so terrified in the hours you were gone.”
Hours? It had felt like days.
“I’ve made so many mistakes with you along the way. From this moment forward, I won’t interfere with your life. As long as you’re safe and happy. If you want Slice, I support your decision one hundred percent. I love you. I should never have raised my hand to you. That was unworthy of me. I lived my life. You deserve no less. I hope you can forgive me one day.”
“You’re forgiven, Mom,” I said hoarsely. “I love you so much.”
Over the course of the next few hours, I noted the luxury of my surroundings. Shades of creams and browns decorated the expansive room. My bed stood against a wall midway between the left side with a dining table and four chairs and the right side that had a sofa, loveseat, and coffee table. A huge TV hung on the wall across from me.
If not for all the medical equipment, I would’ve sworn we weren't in a hospital.
A hospital. Damn it! The police must’ve been called.
“It’s taken care of, love,” Mom reassured me when I asked her. “Everyone’s safe.”
Trusting her, I fell back to sleep.
When I awakened, I asked for Slice and continued to do so intermittently throughout the next hours. I wanted to see Slice. Or even receive a call from him. But nothing.
My family had just finished dinner. A divine meal that included beef, roasted potatoes, salad, and cobbler. None of which I tasted, since my doctor allowed me to have soft foods only earlier today. An improvement from the liquid diet. I wasn’t sure if it was my abused throat, my broken ribs, or my dehydration that called for those dietary choices, but it was horrific.
After pushing aside my tray, I left Slice another message. Yeah, my pride was out the window, but I wanted to see for myself that he was fine. Even if he never wanted to see me again afterward.
My door opened and a dark-haired man peeped in.
“Josh!” Cassie called happily.
Smiling, Josh walked in. Oh my. He was almost as gorgeous as Slice. I was so busy staring at him, I didn’t notice Cash until he stood at the foot of my bed.
“He’s another asshole you don’t want to admire,” he grumbled. “That shit goes to his fucking head, too.”
“Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful,” Josh quipped. “You took all Dad’s looks. My mother saved me.”
Cash flipped him off. Despite my despondency, I laughed. Citing addiction concerns, the doctor was also cutting back on my pain meds after a mere three days.
Thankfully, I had a high pain tolerance.
“That’s a beautiful sound, darlin’,” Josh drawled. “I’m so glad to hear it, considering the state you were in when I drove you here.”
My humor fled.
“He has a big mouth, doesn’t he, Effie?” a new, vaguely familiar voice said.
Mom and Cassie squealed.
Cash stepped aside and my chin almost dropped to my chest. There, before me, stood Sloane Mason, a freaking guitar strapped to him.
“The McCall Monsters—” His finger wagged between Josh and Cash— “are horrendous assholes.”
“Hey, fuckhead, my little sister is a McCall,” Cash barked.
“The sweet one,” he said, and focused on me. “Ophelia begged me to visit you, Effie. Can I call you Effie?”
I nodded, speechless.
“Any woman who puts up with that motherfucker—” he nodded to Cash— “deserves her every wish granted. She’s a fucking saint.”
Mom, Cassie, and I exchanged glances and giggled.
“Had I wanted to decline Fee, Slice made a very compelling argument.”
“Sl-slice?” I whispered.
Sloane nodded. He straightened his guitar and adjusted the frets, holding up a pick that I hadn’t realized was in his hand. Two more men walked through my opened door.
Joy seeped into me. Slice had finally arrived, but then he smiled. It was different, more cynical. When Slice grinned, his entire face lit up. His twin’s was more guarded.
“I’m Drifter,” he introduced, then nodded to the older man. “Dad. Goose,” he added.
I knew of them, but I’d never met either before.
Drifter looked at Sloane and nodded.
“The fire inside me,” he began to croon to a soft melodic rhythm. “The love that I feel.”
Slice walked in. The moment our gazes met, all my fear and worry evaporated. In his eyes, I saw what I felt. Respect and admiration. And love. I recognized it because I finally accepted I did want what my parents shared.
Slice reached my bedside, bent, and kissed me. “Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hey,” I said softly.
He brushed his fingers through my hair and I leaned into his touch.
“I thought you were done with me,” I said.
“Never. You’re stuck with me, Effie.” He straightened and dug in his pocket, pulling out a ring. I gasped. Sloane continued singing Inferno .
“It’s not an engagement ring—yet,” Slice said fiercely. “It’s a promise to love and cherish you. When the time’s right, then I’ll propose.” He kissed me. “I love you, Effie.”
“I love you, too, Slice,” I whispered.
“So what do you say?”
Giggling, I held out my hand. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
We kissed to a round of applause. I’d never been happier. Looking into Slice’s eyes, I knew he felt the same.