Chapter 52
Army
We’re finally leaving the hospital. I have equal parts elation and dread.
Elation that Leeva survived and is recovering well, and that she’s been discharged.
Dread for what comes next.
But I’m refusing to focus on the latter right now; instead, I’m lavishing all my love and attention on the woman I loved at first sight.
Leeva is sore as hell, her breathing is still somewhat labored, and she tires quickly. She allowed me to push her in a wheelchair to the front door, but she insisted on walking out of the hospital on her own.
I give her my hand, watching with contented satisfaction as her smaller one slips into mine. As I help her out of the wheelchair, her eyes lift to mine. I see the swirling mix of her love and worry.
“Has Ash said when the club will do their vote now that I’m getting out of the hospital?”
Her hand trembles, and I gently position her against my side to keep my arm wrapped around her waist.
“Let’s not worry about that right now.”
“Hayes.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Just walk, little dove, or I’ll be forced to carry you.”
She huffs a small laugh, then grimaces at the pain caused by that.
As we slowly approach the front door, Trinity and Nina are there, dressed in their scrubs. They had both been up to visit Leeva several times over the past few weeks.
Nina grins. “It’s great to see you leaving this place.”
“Thanks again to both of you for all you did,” Leeva says, then turns to Trinity. “How is Mauler?”
“The worst patient there ever was.” She laughs, then points at the door. “But see for yourself.”
Both Leeva and I frown. But when we exit, my heart stalls.
Mauler is there, propped up against a car since he can’t ride with his broken arm and leg.
And there are bikes everywhere; it looks like every member of the Havoc Guardians is here, even Digits, who rarely leaves his tower to come out for a ride.
“Oh my god, Hayes.” Leeva’s voice shakes. “They’re here to take you.”
I wrap my arm around her tighter, kissing her head. “That isn’t what this is, little dove.”
Tats steps forward, his bald, tattooed head gleaming in the sun. “The club unanimously found you not guilty, Army. It was unanimous,” he repeats.
Unanimous, which means that Razor and Thunder hadn’t voted, and I don’t know how their absence has been explained or what’s been shared with the club.
My eyes track to Ash, and he just shrugs with a small smirk.
The bastard knew but didn’t inform me; instead, he let me worry and stew.
Probably payback for disobeying his direct order that he needed Thunder to stay alive.
“You’re not here to take Hayes away from me?” Leeva scans around, still worried.
Ash steps forward, his lips curled into a full smile. “We’re here to escort you home.”
“It’s an honor ride,” I explain to her. “Protection, respect, and unity.”
This means absolutely everything to me.
“We’re riding together to protect and honor our own.” He smiles down at Leeva. “Welcome home. Once you’re fully recovered and can ride on the back of Army’s bike, we’ll do a celebration ride.” He points to my black truck. “For today, though, your chariot awaits.”
Leeva laughs lightly, then turns to me with tears shining in her eyes. “Is this truly happening?”
“Yeah.” Emotions clog my throat, hardly believing this myself. After all the years of waiting, all the lost years. The pain and the heartbreak. The acceptance and the forgiveness. “This is really happening.”
She leans into me, tilting her face up to mine. “Take me home, Hayes.”
“You’re mine now forever.”
Her smile outshines the sun before she pulls my head down to seal my vow and claim with a kiss that heals every part of my fractured soul.