Chapter 9 #2
“I’m not saying it to make things weird. I just wanted you to know. This isn’t fake to me.”
A short silence spins about between us. I reach out to slowly pull her visor down, and watch as she settles onto the back of my bike.
Without looking back, I tell her, “This life isn’t a game. Ridin’ on the back of a brother’s bike while wearing his cut means just as much as a gold wedding band and vows. When you’re on the back of my bike, you hold on and don’t let go, no matter what.”
Her voice comes through the helmet, small but firm. “I will.”
I nod, my throat tight, and rev the engine.
I can feel the vibrations of the bike moving up my legs and through my bones.
Her hold tightens, and she presses her chest against my back, all softness and vulnerability.
When she rests her cheek between my shoulder blades, I twist the throttle, pull us into the street, and head for Sunnybrook.
Wind whips past, pulling at my cut, and I can feel it tapping against her helmet.
The sound of the bike’s engine drowns out everything except the realization that my woman respects the code that me and the other brothers live by.
Knowing that makes me resent the idea of turning her over to some ignorant asshole with no particular code to live by.
She said she always wanted this and that riding with me wasn’t part of selling the relationship. The truth of her words seeps deeper in my mind with every mile. When I lean into a curve, she leans with me, with no hesitation.
***
Sunnybrook sits back off the highway, tucked between a row of trees and a low brick wall.
It looks more like a medical facility than a care home.
I quickly take in all the details that matter.
There are wide ramps, reinforced railings, automatic doors, clean landscaping.
There is no trash, graffiti, or neglect.
Judging by the outside, they run this as a quality facility.
Beth shifts nervously behind me when I cut the engine. Her hands loosen at my waist, but her fingers linger like she doesn’t want to let go. When I pull off my helmet, she’s already tugging hers off. I try not to notice how her hair tumbles around her shoulders.
“You ready to talk to your sister?” I ask.
She nods, looking wary. “It’s been weeks since I last saw her, too long.”
We head inside together. The lobby is bright with sun shining through tall windows. A nurse working behind the desk looks up, recognition lighting up her expression when she sees Beth. “Lila will be glad you came. She’s been asking for you.”
I wrap one arm around Beth’s waist, and we follow the nurse down the hall.
The walls are lined with photos of outings—them at the beach, at a baseball game, happily crafting at a long table.
It gives the place a homey feel, even though it’s clear that the residents have complex needs.
Clearly, this place deserves its fine reputation.
The residents have good lives and activities, even when dealing with serious illnesses.
Lila’s room is near the end. The door is open, and she’s sitting up on a loveseat with a book propped on her knees.
An oxygen tube runs from her nose to a tank beside her.
When she looks up, I see her face is pale, but her eyes are bright and sharp.
She looks a little like Beth, but she’s much smaller.
I’m guessing if she’s been sick since childhood, it’s probably had some effect on her growth.
It’s good to see she’s not overmedicated.
The grin that breaks over her face damn near knocks the breath out of Beth.
“Bethy!” When she speaks, her voice is raspy but strong. She tosses the book aside and holds her arms out.
Beth rushes in, folding her up in a hug, careful not to disturb the tubing. I hang back a moment, just watching the sisters interact. You can see the bond in the way Beth clings, in the way Lila’s eyes close like she’s finally gotten a visit from her favorite person.
When Beth pulls back, Lila’s gaze lands on me. “And this must be the husband.”
Beth’s cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t deny it.
I step forward, offering my hand. “Patch.”
Her grip is small but firm. “Lila. The famous doctor-slash-biker. I’ve heard about you.”
I smother back a laugh. “All lies, I can assure you.”
“Mostly,” she says, but her smile fades as she glances at Beth. “He’s been calling me too, you know.”
Beth stiffens. “What? When?”
“Couple of nights ago.” Lila picks anxiously at the edge of her blanket. “He said he could come get me whenever he wanted. That he was still in charge.”
Beth’s face crumples, pain contorting her expression. She grips her sister’s hand tighter. “Lila, no. He won’t. He can’t do that. We won’t let him.”
Lila’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “Beth, I love it here. You know that I do. The nurses are good to us, and the doctors understand my condition. They know what I need. I can breathe here. I don’t want to leave.”
Her voice breaks as the tears she was trying to hold back spill down her cheeks.
Beth folds her sister up in her arms again, holding her tight while Lila struggles to control her emotions.
My chest aches watching them—the two sisters clinging to each other, afraid of what this asshole might do to them.
I step closer, resting my hand on the bed rail. “Lila,” I say, waiting until her eyes lift to mine. “You’re safe here. I won’t let him take you out. I promise.”
She swallows hard, searching my face. I can tell she wants to believe me but doesn’t know if I have the power to stop him. Finally, she speaks. “You don’t know him. He always gets what he wants in the end.”
“I’m very familiar with men like him,” I say firmly. “And I know how to stop them in their tracks.”
Beth looks back at me, eyes wide. Her expression carries both fear and hope. I give them one swift jerk of my chin. It’s a silent vow. They need a protector, and I won’t let them down.
Lila wipes her eyes with the heel of her hand. “But how? He’s my guardian. He said it, he wrote it down. I don’t have a say.”
Beth shakes her head fast. “We don’t even know if that’s true.”
I chime in. “He could just be your medical power of attorney. We’re going to verify that today if we can.”
“You’re twenty-one,” Beth explains. “If he was never appointed as your legal guardian, that means you get to make all your own decisions, Lila. You are legally competent.”
“He says he has paperwork that says he’s in charge of everything to do with me.”
I cut in before Beth can spiral. “Even if he is, it doesn’t matter.
Guardianship can be challenged. I don’t know the circumstances, but I think in your case it probably only kicks in when you’re unable to make decisions about your care.
It isn’t carved in stone, especially not if he’s using his authority to go against your best interest. We’ll get a lawyer, file an injunction.
That’ll stop him cold until a judge reviews it. ”
Lila blinks, tears still glistening. “You can do that?”
Beth grips her hand tighter. “Patch already promised he’d do whatever it takes.”
I speak up. “I’ll call my lawyer as soon as we leave here today. In a few days, we’ll have papers filed. Until then, no one will be allowed to take you from this facility.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “God, I don’t want to leave here.”
Beth manages a smile. “We’ll make sure you can stay. I swear.”
I study her oxygen tank, the meds stacked neatly on the tray, the chart clipped to the wall.
They’re doing everything right here for her.
They have airway clearance supplies, antibiotics, and high-calorie meals.
She’s stable here. This facility is the difference between life and death for someone in her condition.
Pulling her out would be a death sentence.
I set a hand gently on her shoulder. “You’re not going anywhere, Lila. He’s not going to win this time.”
For the first time since we walked in, she relaxes against her pillows, a little relief showing on her face. Beth leans against the other end of the loveseat, her hand still wrapped tight around her sister’s.
We talk about the things her stepfather has been telling her. He’s trying to bully her into talking Beth into coming back home. That’s not going to happen in a million years though. When it’s time to leave, Beth’s hand lingers on her sister’s. “I’ll be back soon. You have my word.”
Lila nods, tears glistening in her eyes again as she smiles at her sister. “I know you will. You always keep your promises, Bethy. And you…” she looks straight at me, “…you take care of my sister. She’s the only family I’ve got.”
I step forward and take one of her hands in mine. “Not anymore. You have me now too. But I won’t let anything happen to Beth,” I tell her, meaning every word of it. “You just focus on getting stronger. Let your sister and me handle everything else.”
She gives a small laugh, her voice weak but teasing. “You sound bossy, is it because you’re a doctor or a biker?”
“Maybe I’m a doctor and a biker because I’m bossy,” I say with a grin. “Did you ever think of that?”
Beth bends to kiss her sister’s forehead, whispering something soft I don’t catch. When she straightens, she’s trying not to cry too.
“Is there anything you’d like us to bring you on our next visit?” I ask.
A mischievous expression jumps onto her face. “If you have a brother, I’ll take one of those.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I’ve got a couple dozen of those. I’ll see what I can do about bringing you one.”
We talk for a few more minutes and then I slide an arm around Beth’s shoulders and steer her towards the door.
As we step into the hall, I glance back one last time. Lila’s still watching us, with a hopeful expression on her lovely face.
Beth stays quiet as we move through the facility, passing other residents and nurses. She smiles pleasantly and greets each one in turn, but only I can see the pain hovering just below the surface. And it breaks my heart.
The hallways are calm, neat and orderly.
By the time we reach the lobby, Beth is barely holding it together.
She doesn’t say a word as I put my arm around her and lead her through the automatic doors.
When we step outside into the cool morning air, she turns and buries her face in my chest. I tuck her head under my chin, wrap my arms around her and hold her while she cries ugly tears.
Within a few moments, she’s pulling herself together and we head back to my bike.
Beth leans into me slightly, needing my support.
Neither of us speaks, but the silence between us feels full of promise.
“She’s holding on, but the added stress of your asshole stepfather can’t be good for her. Stress is the last thing she needs in her life right now,” I tell her quietly.
“I hate that she’s getting caught up in my mess,” she states so quietly that I almost miss it.
“She’s not. You’re both getting caught up in your stepfather’s mess. Don’t worry, Lila is in the right place. Your parents made sure of that all those years ago. Our job is to make sure she stays there.”
She nods but doesn’t look convinced. “I hate that he’s been calling her. It’s like he can’t stand seeing anyone happy unless he’s the one in control.”
“That’s exactly what it is.” I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “Men like him feed off fear. But he’s not in control anymore, Beth. Not of you, and not of her.”
Her eyes meet mine, wide and uncertain. “Do you really think we can stop him?”
“I know we can,” I tell her. “We already started.”