Chapter 16 Our Love Is Worth the War
SIXTEEN
OUR LOVE IS WORTH THE WAR
Milly
My phone vibrates with a message. I peek over to see it’s from Twitch.
Where are you?
Just at lunch. Why?
Where?
The hospital café. It’s closest to the front entrance of the hospital.
See you soon.
A buzz of electricity soars through me, wondering why he’s come to see me during my lunch break.
As I finish the remainder of my sandwich, commotion erupts.
Screams echo through the corridor, and I stand to see people running toward the hospital entrance.
My stomach drops as I spot Mr. Anders—the man whose wife died in the shooting—walking toward me, a gun cocked and aimed directly at me.
I gasp but force myself to stay composed even as my pulse thrashes against my skin. I scan the area. Nearly everyone has fled, leaving me alone with him. A security guard cautiously approaches, but I subtly raise my hand, signaling him to stay back. I don’t want the situation to escalate.
As the old man walks closer, I see the hand holding the gun is trembling, which isn’t good at all. It could go off at any moment. Tears stream down his face. “You killed my wife!” His voice is rough and broken.
I take a deep breath, calming my own panic. “What’s your first name?” I ask softly.
“Terrence,” he replies.
“Okay, Terrence,” I say gently. “My name’s Milly, and I want to say how deeply sorry I am for the grief you’re experiencing.
But your wife came to us with a gunshot wound that caused catastrophic injuries.
Because of where the bullet hit her, no amount of medical skill could have saved her.
We did everything we could.” My voice is steady, but my heart is pounding.
I need to humanize myself, to show him I care, but also to make him understand it wasn’t my fault.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice someone else in the corridor.
It’s Twitch. My body shakes with fear as our eyes lock.
I give a small shake of my head, silently begging him to stay back.
But his wide eyes and determined expression tell me he’s not going to listen.
He’s moving closer, quietly and carefully.
No, Twitch. Please don’t. I can’t lose you.
“No,” Terrence says, his voice rising as he frowns. “You could have saved her, but you didn’t.”
“No, we couldn’t have,” I reply, keeping my tone calm. “It was the man who fired the gun through your house who’s responsible, not anyone who tried to save her.” I pause, hoping my words will sink in. “I can see she meant a lot to you.”
“A lot?” he shouts, his voice breaking. “She was my world . . . now I have nothing to live for.”
Twitch is closer now. His face is red. What happened? Terrence notices him and swings the gun toward him.
My heart hammers in my chest with such force it may explode. “No!” I yell.
Twitch has his arms up in surrender. “Hey, man, what’s the problem?” Twitch asks in his easygoing voice. No stress lines it whatsoever. The tension in his shoulders gives him away. “Maybe I can help?” he offers.
Terrence shakes his head, his grip on the gun tightening.
“My wife died. You can’t help me. No one can, but this woman .
. .” He points the gun back at me and I flinch.
“She was supposed to save her, but she couldn’t.
Now I’m without my beautiful Dorothy,” he says, his gaze dropping to his wedding ring.
“I’m sorry to hear about that,” Twitch says, his voice steady. “But are you really here to kill a doctor who worked tirelessly to save Dorothy’s life? Your wife wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Terrence’s jaw tightens. “Someone must take responsibility. Someone has to suffer.” His voice is tormented with a mix of pain and anger, but all I can think of is that person should be me, not Twitch. He has nothing to do with this.
“Kill me,” Twitch says with a sad smile on his face as he glances at me. “Her name’s Milly White, and she loves me.”
I get teary-eyed as I shake my head, my eyes pleading. He can’t do this to me!
Twitch steps closer to him. “So, if you want to hurt her, kill me and she’ll suffer like you have.”
Terrence’s hand trembles as he shifts the gun between us, his face crumpling under the weight of his grief. More tears stream down his face as he suddenly points the gun at his own head.
A shiver rolls through me. Oh god, please, no.
“It should be me,” Terrence says and briefly closes his eyes. “I can’t live without my Dorothy.”
“No!” I scream as Twitch lunges forward, grabbing the gun. Terrence falls to the floor in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably.
The security guard rushes forward and secures Terrence’s arms behind his back. “Don’t hurt him,” I say. He’s a grieving man; I don’t wish any harm to him.
Twitch pulls me into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around me protectively. He kisses the top of my head, his voice shaky. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“Me too,” I reply, choked up as the tears flood my face. I whack his arm. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“I make no promises,” he says, his tone turning serious. “Without you, life isn’t worth living.” He inches back, cupping my face in his hands. “I love you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion, and kisses me again. “I fucking love you so much.”
A rush of relief and joy flows through me from his declaration, and I sob into his chest, wetting his shirt. Once I settle down, I reply, “I love you too,” though my voice is husky from crying. “You saved me . . . again.”
He gazes at me with so much adoration it makes my heart ache. “I’ll always be there for you,” he says, brushing my tears away with his thumbs. “I told Reaper about us.”
All the air leaves my lungs. “You what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Reaper knows,” he says, his tone steady. “And he’s okay with us being together. It’s all going to be okay.” He kisses my forehead. “I promise.”
I stare at him, wide-eyed. “Are you kidding? Because this isn’t funny.”
He chuckles lightly. “I’m serious. I couldn’t go through with the Mercedez lie.
The thought of touching her repulses me.
I’ve only ever wanted you. It hurts too much without you.
I’ve wasted too much time trying to please everyone else.
You’re the most important person in my life.
So I told Reaper I love his sister, and I’d do anything for her.
” He grabs my hand and places it over his chest. “Feel that? It beats only for you.”
I feel the thump under my palm and swallow down the giant lump in my throat. Who knew he was this sweet? With his other hand, he rubs my back like he can’t stop touching me. “I had to convince him that I could make you happy and that you’d be safe at the clubhouse.”
I stare, stunned. Reaper knows . . . and he’s okay with us being together. I cock my head to the side and touch his face where it’s red. He flinches. “Let me guess—that punch is from my brother. Are you sure it’s all okay?”
He grins, and it lights up his gorgeous face. “Yes, it was, but I deserved it. No more sneaking around. Just me and you . . . forever.”
I’m still hesitant to accept it as truth. “We are talking about the same Reaper, right?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
He ruffles my hair playfully. “Yes, we are.”
A smile breaks across my face, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel the weight of the lies and secrets lift off my shoulders. “What about Mercedez?” I ask, my voice soft but cautious.
Twitch’s expression hardens slightly. “Reaper is asking her to leave the clubhouse. He found out how she hit and manipulated me, and he wasn’t happy.
He’s making sure she gets the help she needs, but she’s not allowed to stay at the clubhouse or contact anyone in the club.
He’s even organizing an ambulance to be on standby in case she tries to hurt herself again. ”
I let out a long breath, the tension in my chest easing. “I’m glad she’s getting help, but I’m even more relieved she won’t be there anymore. I hated walking on eggshells around her.”
Twitch sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I felt guilty for not confiding in Reaper sooner, but you know . . . self-preservation. I wasn’t sure if I’d survive telling him about us. He looked like he wanted to kill me, and honestly, if I ever hurt you, he still might.”
I giggle, the sound surprising even me. “Well, you’d better not hurt me, then.”
He grabs my hand and kisses the top of it, his eyes softening. “I’ll never hurt you again. I promise.”
Before I can respond, Edward comes rushing out of the hospital, his face etched with concern. “Milly, I’m so sorry,” he says, his voice full of sympathy. “I didn’t realize he wanted to hurt you.”
I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Edward. You didn’t know. There’s no need to apologize.”
His shoulders sag with relief. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
The cops arrive shortly after, and Twitch and I give our statements. My manager pulls me aside and insists I take as much time off as I need. For once, I don’t argue. I’m going to take this time to focus on myself and prioritize my happiness instead of burying myself in work.
* * *
When we arrive back at the clubhouse, everything seems normal.
No one is waiting for us outside, which tells me they don’t know what happened at the hospital.
If they did, Reaper, Ava, and Ivy would be out front to see if I was okay.
I sit in the car a little longer, still apprehensive about facing Reaper now that he knows about me and Twitch.
Knock, knock.
Twitch is at my window. He opens the car door wide for me, and once I get out, he puts an arm over my shoulder, pulling me in close and kissing the side of my head. I feel lighter knowing he’s by my side. He spoke up and stood up for us. Now it’s my turn to reassure Reaper.
“Are you all right?” Twitch asks softly, concern lacing his voice.
I give him a small smile. “Yes,” I reply, and we walk inside the clubhouse together.
The moment we step inside, the room falls silent. Everyone in the living area, by the pool table, and on the couches stops what they’re doing to watch us. My heart pounds, nerves shooting through me. My poor heart is getting quite the workout today.
Axle whistles, breaking the silence. The ol’ ladies clap and cheer. My cheeks heat, but I search for Reaper. He walks in from the kitchen and pauses, his eyes locking on me and Twitch. I gently pull away. “I’ll be right back,” I say to Twitch, who still looks concerned, and I walk to my brother.
When I reach him, I give him a tight hug, and he puts his arms around me, holding me firmly. “I’m so sorry for lying to you,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I fight back tears.
He inches back, his hands resting on my shoulders.
“No, I should be the one apologizing,” he says, his voice heavy with regret.
“I’ve always thought I was protecting you, but when you needed me most, you didn’t feel like you could come to me.
That’s on me, not you. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I didn’t realize I’d trust one of my brothers more than any stranger. ”
His words hit me hard, and I can hear the sadness in his voice. “Thank you for apologizing. I didn’t want to disappoint you. Neither did Twitch. It was hard for him too. But there was no need to punch him,” I add, giving him a pointed look.
He huffs, but before he can respond, Axle yells out, “Twitch told Reaper in the middle of the club meeting that he banged you.” Axle laughs like a hyena, practically doubling over.
I gasp, appalled. “He did not!” I exclaim, turning to Twitch, who flinches and avoids my gaze. His guilty expression says it all.
Unbelievable. I scoff, crossing my arms. “No wonder you hit him,” I mutter to Reaper.
“It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard,” Viper chimes in, grinning.
My brother’s face is stern. “It was not funny!”
I take a deep breath and address the room.
“Something else happened today,” I announce and wait until the room quietens.
“A patient’s husband—whose wife died of a gunshot wound a while ago—came to the hospital today with a gun and threatened to kill me.
” The room collectively gasps, and I quickly add, “Everything’s okay. Twitch was there, and no one got hurt.”
Reaper gives Twitch a chin lift, and I see it’s out of respect. Ava and Ivy dash over to me and hug me tightly on either side. “I’m so grateful you’re okay,” Ava says, her voice full of relief.
“That’s horrible,” Ivy says, frowning. “You have had to go through another life-and-death situation.”
“I’m okay,” I assure them. “The old man was just grieving and in a lot of pain. I don’t hold it against him.”
Sophie, Elena, and Zara join us, and I give them a brief hug too.
“Still . . .” Sophie says, her tone curt. “Old man or not, what he did was not okay. You’re there to save lives and help people. What was he thinking?”
“I agree, but it’s all over now, and I’m taking some much-needed time off work.”
“Taking your own advice, are you?” Zara says with a sassy smile.
I jerk my head in a nod. “Yes, I am, and now they have a doctor to fill in for me.”
“So no more McDaddy. What a shame,” Sophie murmurs, pouting dramatically. She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But Twitch? Girl, he’s hot—go get some!”
I laugh out loud, drawing some curious stares from the men. “I already had some,” I say and give them a flirty wink.
Sophie whistles. “I need details.”
“He’s pierced,” I whisper.
The group erupts into a mix of wide eyes, squeaks, and squeals.
I see Twitch making his way over to us, so I stand up straight and give him a sweet smile, pretending I wasn’t just talking about his dick to everyone.