Chapter 11
Reaper
It feels like fucking forever before the sheriff tells me I can go.
About an hour and a half ago, the firefighters got the fire fully contained and moved on to the next one they were needed at.
I know something bad happened because about a half hour ago, Punisher ran to his bike without a word to any of us after getting a phone call and rode off like the hounds of hell were on his tail.
Razor rode off after him, but I haven’t heard from either of them since.
My thoughts had instantly gone to Lark and Erik, but I had to push those concerns aside since I was still talking to the cops and firefighters at the time.
“Thank you, sheriff. If you need me for anything else, give me a call.”
Sticking my hand out, I shake his hand and then turn toward where my brothers are standing not too far away. Judging by how Devil’s acting, I’m in for even more bad news. Panic tries to seize me, but I refuse to lose control. Fuck, please don’t let it be about Lark or Erik.
“Tell me,” I bark out and Devil’s face darkens for a moment before it’s gone.
Devil’s been one of my closest friends since I was a kid. I shouldn’t be taking out my frustrations on him, but I’m wound so fucking tight right now, I can’t help it. I’m about to apologize, but then he speaks up.
“Astrid and Razor called. It’s Erik... and Lark. They were both rushed to the hospital. Erik was knocked unconscious while rescuing Lark. They fell through two sets of stairs, but other than that, we don’t know anything else yet.”
My chest damn near feels like it’s being squeezed by a vise.
Lark.
Erik.
Without another word, I stride over to my bike and start her up before peeling out onto the main drag as I head in the direction of the hospital.
A few seconds later, my brothers catch up to me and I barely register Devil and Beast riding on either side of me.
I drive on autopilot as my mind churns out scenario after scenario, each one worse than the last. I speed up, not caring that I’m speeding.
Ten fucking minutes later, we park and head into the ER. The nurse pales when she sees us, but I ignore her and scan the room. My chest tightens when I don’t spot Emma or Lottie, Lark’s mom and grandma.
I cross the room over to Punisher who is sitting by his parents, Odin and Mama Astrid. Razor is sitting on the other side of Odin.
They all stand up as we approach, and I immediately open my arms. Mama Astrid leans in, hugging me tightly. She sniffles, but when she pulls back, I realize she isn’t going to allow herself to break down in front of everyone. She gives me a small, tight smile and pats my chest.
“Thank you all for coming here.”
“Did they give you an update on Erik?” Devil asks and Mama Astrid’s armor cracks a little before she puts that wall back up.
“He has some swelling and a small brain bleed, but they think they have it under control. They are worried about his hearing because of the location of both,” Odin tells us and Mama Astrid nods.
“The doctor said they’re both in the temporal lobe region of the brain. That he might have temporary hearing loss until the swelling goes down.”
Mama Astrid dabs at her eyes and Odin wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight to him before placing a kiss on her temple.
I look away before they can see the longing and jealousy in my eyes, but apparently, my brothers know me too well and all four of them, Beast, Devil, Odin, and Punisher, caught the looks.
Fuck, judging by the look Razor’s giving me, I think even he saw it.
Instead of acknowledging their questioning looks, I glance around the waiting room and my worry increases when I still don’t see Emma or Lottie.
“They took Emma and Lottie back to a private room,” Mama Astrid tells us quietly, and the pain in her voice almost has my knees buckling.
My gaze snaps to hers in alarm. “Have you heard anything about her?”
She shakes her head. “Not from the doctors, but I overheard one of the firefighters talking on the phone to his girlfriend, Khloe. If it’s who I’m thinking it is, it was probably Khloe Covington, who is one of Lark’s close friends.
” The concern on her face deepens, and a pit forms in my stomach.
“He didn’t say where, just that she was badly burned and would probably need to have a lot of work done. ”
I swallow thickly, but then determination fills me. I’ll be there for Lark in any way, shape, or form that she’ll let me. To help her any way that I can. Now that I’ve finally found my woman, I’m not going to lose her.
Glancing at my phone, I sigh when I realize it’s a bit past midnight. Scrubbing my face, I get up and start pacing again.
“You keep that up and you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet,” Loki teases, but I pay him no mind. I need to keep moving or I’m going to go crazy.
A doctor comes out and looks around the waiting room, but when his gaze lands on Odin and Mama Astrid sitting in the middle of our small group, he walks over to us.
“Mr. and Mrs. Miller?”
“Yes,” Odin responds as he and Mama Astrid stand up and step closer to him. Punisher steps up behind them and he puts a hand on Mama Astrid’s shoulder.
“Erik has been moved to a private room. The swelling has gone down, and the bleeding appears to have stopped. He’ll be closely monitored to make sure the swelling stays down and the bleeding doesn’t restart. When he wakes up, we’ll have to do some tests to see if there is any hearing loss.”
“Can we see him?” Mama Astrid asks and the doctor nods.
“Yes, you can.” He pauses, looks at the three of them, and then at the rest of us huddled around them. “To start with, I would suggest just family so we don’t overwhelm him when he wakes up.”
“My brother, Dominick, is on his way here. When he gets here, is he allowed to come back?” Punisher asks, and when the doctor hesitates, I’m worried he won’t let him through, but finally, he nods.
“Yes. I’ll let the nurse at the register know to direct him back to Erik’s room when he gets here.”
I clasp Punisher on his shoulder. “I’ll call Dom and have him swing by the club on his way here. We’ll have a bag packed for you that he can grab so you don’t have to leave.” Pausing, I turn toward Odin and Mama Astrid. “Did you guys grab a bag, or do you need us to pack one for the both of you?”
The doctor steps back to give us a little privacy as Mama Astrid shakes her head. “As soon as we heard, I quickly threw us a bag together before we came here. It’s in the trunk.”
Nodding, I share a look with first Odin and then Punisher.
“Keep us posted and let us know when he’s up for visitors.
” Pausing, I lean in so only Odin can hear this next part.
“Chief Riggs thinks we could have an arsonist on our hands. The Dive was hit and three other residential houses as well, not counting both of Lark’s places and Gram and Gramp’s store. Keep your eyes and ears open.”
Odin’s eyes harden and he gives me a curt nod. “Will do, Pres.”
I watch them follow after the doctor and I scan the waiting room again, even though I know I won’t find them there.
I’ve been going out of my mind not knowing how she’s doing.
The only thing keeping me from storming back there for an update is that I don’t want to interrupt the doctors working on her and possibly cause her more pain.
I’ve started dozens of texts to Emma but I’ve always deleted them before hitting send.
Someone clasps my shoulder and I turn to find Devil staring after Odin, Punisher, and Mama Astrid’s retreating backs.
“Let’s go. We’ll be there for them when they’re ready.”
Instantly, I know he isn’t just referring to Erik.
Whether she realizes it or not, Lark has the entire club at her back.
These past few months, I wasn’t the only one that got close to Lark.
Whenever we went to her supper club, she’d frequently stop by our table and chat with us when she had a few moments to spare, or we chatted with her at the bar.
After we’d stood up for Lark back in May, Emma had put in a few stools in front of the bar.
As far as I know, only us and two close friends of Lark’s, Khloe and Miracle, have ever sat there, chatting with her as she worked.
Shaking my head, I exhale heavily as I head back out into the night.
If there really is an arsonist on the loose, he or she had better watch their fucking back, because when I find them, they are going to wish they were never born. I’ll enjoy torturing them and making them bleed for hurting those I love and care about.