Chapter Eighteen #2
I let out a frustrated squeak just as Cricket walked into the room. “Well, hi there, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I forced a smile. “Where’s Katie?”
“She said she was running out to grab something that wasn’t hospital food.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, she took Flash and Jamie with her.”
“And my husband?”
“At the club.” She frowned. “I think.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Maisie, I am not my brother’s keeper,” she sassed. “Literally.”
“Call your man,” I ordered.
She fluttered over to the recliner. “Why would I call Minus?”
“Because they’re up to something.”
“You shouldn’t be worrying about what those two idiot-sticks are doing right now, honey.” She cocked her head. “You need to heal.”
“If one more person tells me I need to heal, I’m going to shove a stick up their arse.”
“Ooh, kinky.”
I took a deep, slow breath. “Christina.”
“Yes, sister of my heart?”
“Please call Minus.”
“No.”
“You know something,” I accused.
She smirked. “I know lots of things.”
“You are infuriating.”
Cricket laid her palm on her chest and gave me a queenly smile. “Why, thank you.”
Realizing arguing with her was a waste of my very limited breath, I pulled the covers back up to my chest and closed my eyes.
* * *
The quiet din of whispering voices pulled me from a deep sleep, and I forced myself to open my eyes, taking a deep breath as I glanced around the room. Dani, her daughter Daisy, and Ace and Cassidy’s daughter, Tillie, were chatting quietly with Cricket, but my husband was still nowhere to be seen.
“Hi, Till,” I said.
“Hi, Auntie Maisie.” She came over and gave me a gentle hug.
“You’re ditching the animals today, eh?”
Tillie had graduated about three years ago from vet school and was now working with her brother and uncle at their clinic. We were all exceedingly proud of her, especially considering she’d waffled with her career choices for several years before landing on veterinary medicine.
She chuckled. “Knight and Maverick don’t want me there without them until all this shit with the Spiders is over so I’m hanging with Daisy today. Bonus, I get to see you.”
“Bonus for me too, darling.” I glanced over at my sister-in-law. “Where’s Hatch?”
Cricket sighed. “At the club.”
Dani met my eyes and gave a subtle head shake. “I’m sure he’ll be here anytime.”
I scowled but said nothing.
“Are you hungry?” Dani asked.
I nodded.
“Cricket, would you mind taking Ducky and Tillie down to the cafeteria and grabbing a few things?”
Cricket narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“Honestly, I’d just like a little one-on-one time with Maisie, is that okay?”
“Fine.” Cricket sighed. “But don’t do anything stupid.”
The second the girls walked out the door, Dani flew into action. “Hatch and the boys are at Gina’s clinic.”
“What?” I hissed. “Why?”
“Hatch is a little banged up.”
I threw the covers off my body and sat up. “Banged up, how?”
“I don’t know the particulars, just that the boys took him there and Rooster called and asked Katie to meet them.”
“Bloody hell, Dani, I have to get out of here.”
“What do you think we’re doing, first lady?” she sassed. “Planning a tea party?”
I slid carefully off the bed and reached for the hospital bag that held my clean clothes. It was gone.
“What are you doing?” Dani asked in exasperation.
“Trying to find my bag of clothes,” I hissed. “You know? The hospital one that holds your personal stuff.”
Dani frowned. “Where is it normally?”
“Hanging right there,” I said, pointing to the hook on the side of the bed before letting out a quiet hiss. “Cricket.”
“Cricket, what?”
“She took my clean clothes with her when she walked out the door with Daisy. Cheeky little bitch.”
“Well, I think some people have forgotten I’m not the bitch to mess with,” Dani said with a grin.
“I grabbed you an entire outfit from your room at the club, including shoes. I even brought a brush and a disposable toothbrush, so let’s get you dressed and blow this popsicle stand.
Ducky’s keeping Cricket distracted while I break you out. ”
“It’s pop stand,” I corrected.
“Isn’t the pop short for popsicle?” Dani asked.
“No,” I bit out. “But I’m going to shorten your life if you keep wasting time asking stupid bloody questions.”
“Wow, invalid Maisie’s a grumpy Maisie.”
I took a deep breath. “I apologize, love. I’m worried about Hatch and I’m taking it out on you.”
“Oh, I don’t care, I just think it’s funny. You don’t scare me. I’m mafia boss Dani, remember?”
I grabbed her hands. “I love you.”
“Love you too, honey.”
She helped me dress, being gentle, but also knowing we had to rush because Cricket could blow up our plans at any point. Every movement hurt like a mother, but I didn’t want Dani to stop because I wanted, no, needed to get to my man.
“Do you think you can walk out of here?” she asked. “Because, if not, I can try and find you a wheelchair.”
“No.” I took a deep breath and nodded. “I can walk it.”
“Okay, honey. I’ve got you,” she promised. “Slow and easy.”
Leaving everything, including my phone, Dani wrapped an arm around my waist, and we walked out of the room.