Chapter Four.
Amy
Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the scream of metal, the crackling roar of the fire, and the bang of the explosion.
Finally, Papa got a nurse to give me something to sleep because I kept jolting awake.
They’d moved us from the side room to a private ward.
The doors were heavily guarded by officers, the curtains drawn.
A cop had even shot down a drone at one point.
How unbelievable that reporters would sink so low.
All survivors had been brought here, keeping us together.
When I awoke, Dad and Papa sat by my bed, but Vortex was gone. That saddened me, but I knew I’d overstepped, the way I’d clung to him. The poor guy was probably running for the hills right now.
“How are you?” Dad asked, stroking the hair away from my face.
“Tired. Scared. Shocked. Don’t think I can name everything I’m feeling, Dad.”
“You’ve been through a massive trauma, baby. Your scans have returned clear. The hospital can’t understand how you’re not injured,” Papa said.
“Neither can I. Is there any news on Declan?”
The little boy had begun complaining of stomach pain and had been rushed away. His spleen had ruptured, and he’d needed emergency surgery.
“Declan’s back and sleeping. Look, he’s in the bed next to you.” Papa pointed. I glanced over and was relieved to see Declan snoring.
“Any sign of family?”
“No. Doctors have informed us to expect the police soon. They’ve been in and out, taking survivors’ names, but they stated they need to question people.”
“Any more survivors come in?” I asked. Sadness crossed Dad’s face, and Papa’s went blank. Before they spoke, my gut told me what they were going to say.
“No,” I whispered as tears welled.
“They found Natasha, Pumpkin. She didn’t make it,” Papa announced gently.
“Tash can’t be gone,” I sobbed as Papa wrapped me up. This time, Dad didn’t get up; he climbed onto the bed and held me tightly.
I couldn’t believe she was dead. A tiny piece of me had hoped Natasha had made it. How had she died, and I hadn’t when we’d been at the same table? I shook violently and let grief take me.
Vortex
“The JTTF is going to be sending people to take our statements,” Inglorious said late afternoon.
“Whatever. They can find me at the hospital,” I replied.
His head snapped up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m checking on Amy. Her dads both looked shell-shocked when I told them her friend was dead. Want to see how they’re doing.”
“Understood. Just don’t be shocked if they refuse to see you. Sometimes they don’t wish to see someone who reminds them of the bad times,” Inglorious said.
I stared at him. Inglorious was saying something without saying it. “You’d know about that.”
He nodded at my guess.
I tilted my head. Inglorious still dreamed about the war. Nanci had told me in confidence that he woke up sweating and calling out for our dead brothers. It hurt Nanci too, because Psych, the former VP, had been her older brother, and they’d been very close.
“If you need to talk…” I offered awkwardly, and Inglorious snorted.
“That was fuckin’ heartfelt. Thanks, but nah. I’ve got Mase, the AA meetings, and Janet. You don’t have to worry about me, Vortex.”
I nodded and began heading through the rec room.
Inglorious and I weren’t as tight as we should have been.
I’d left the club when Inglorious and some of my former brothers had wiped out the filth that infected our brotherhood after Inglorious’s sister was raped.
Naturally, I’d agreed that Vapour should have been put down, but I hadn’t known the reason behind the other killings.
Recently, I discovered Nanci and my cousin Sasha had been on a rape list, as had some of the other female members, including old ladies such as Daisy-Duke.
Inglorious had made his move and killed everyone, especially his uncle.
At the time, I thought it was revenge because Rhea was raped.
But I also believed it was a purge and power play as Inglorious took president.
Several others and I had left without knowing the truth.
When Nanci had called me to say she was returning to the club, I’d come with her and discovered what really happened.
I’d treated the man who saved my cousin from being raped like trash and ignored his pain.
That made me the asshole. I hated being the asshole.
Now we were working on establishing the relationship between a president and a VP.
Ain’t gonna lie and say it was easy. Inglorious struggled with alcoholism, although he was sober now.
He seemed to have somehow channelled his addiction into Nanci, and while many may disagree, Nanci was a healthier choice.
Even her temper and ball busting didn’t put him off.
Inglorious was much braver than anyone gave him credit for handling Nanci.
The woman might have been my best friend, but fuck me, she could turn a man into a wailing pussy in less than a minute.
Just ask Chill. He was her latest victim.
Nanci had determined that Chill liked Meadow, and that was it—Nanci had a mission.
Sweet and light would never be words used to describe Nanci.
Fuckin’ loyal, loving, heart of gold could be used though.
The clubhouse was crammed with allies. The Feds had kicked the search and rescue teams out around eleven. All they were finding were bodies or body parts. There was nothing more we could have done.
There were two hotels in Merritt, and we’d opened them up.
Once the rooms were full, we placed cots and sleeping bags in the open indoor spaces.
People slept on sofas and in armchairs, anywhere they could drop and sleep, really.
The old ladies had left platters of food out and hit the sack themselves.
A few hours later, they woke and started cooking again.
“Are you heading to the hospital?” Nanci asked.
“Yes.”
“Here, I’ve prepared trays for those there. Take Joe and Rory with you, they can carry them up to the ward,” Nanci said.
This was why I loved her. Nanci thought of everyone else before herself. Nobody else would have considered food for the people at the hospital.
“Get the prospects to follow me in the SUV,” I replied, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“Will do,” Nanci answered and bustled away. She’d only had a few hours’ sleep but would keep going until she dropped. Nanci was the best possible woman for the role of Queen Bee.
“Fucked up,” Daisy-Duke muttered to Lasher as I passed.
“What ya do now?” Lasher demanded resigned.
“Told Nanci off for hugging Scythe. Said it was inappropriate, and she tore me a new one. I snootily informed her that Inglorious wouldn’t like her embracing other men. Nanci snarled at me that Scythe had discovered the bodies of two little kids and was upset. Screwed up, Lasher.”
“Oh yeah, babe, you did. Apologise later and get her something nice, Nanci will appreciate it,” he said.
I shook my head at Lasher. Nanci understood how to hold a grudge, and this one would sting.
What none of them knew was that Scythe had taken Nanci’s virginity over a wild weekend they’d spent together when Inglorious had rejected her.
I suspected Inglorious had guessed because Nanci and Scythe were close.
Lasher rolled his eyes over Daisy-Duke’s shoulders as she burrowed into his chest. He understood Nanci. She was like Psych in that respect. And that brother not only knew how to hold a grudge, but nurse it, too.
Determined to leave the drama behind, I headed for where our Hogs were.
We had a private area just for the club.
Any guests would have parked in the public parking lot outside of town.
Hitting my Hog made me instantly relax. There was nothing like being on the road with the wind in your face and the vibration of the bike under you. It was total freedom.
When I arrived at the hospital, the cops recognised me and let me through. The crowd had doubled since I’d left this morning, and I felt bad for the family members coming and going. On my way in, I spotted Drew. He was talking to some uniformed officers.
“Okay?” I asked.
“No. Some fuckers tried to get in. Two relatives brought them down before they snapped pictures.”
“Got into the ward?”
“Yeah, dressed as orderlies. Your girl’s father noticed something was wrong and tackled them.”
“Damn.”
“The Feds have taken over everything, but we’ve got locals on the doors. I’ll escort you up,” Drew said.
“Have you slept?”
“No. The hospital offered me a space to crash. I’m way too tired to drive. I was about to snatch a couple of hours before heading back home.”
“Okay, get me in and then sleep. That’s an order, Sheriff.”
Drew smiled tiredly. The man looked as if he were sleepwalking. “Ain’t a member of your club, Vortex.”
“Nope, but I’m still one of your bosses,” I retorted. “We’ve got Joe and Rory bringing in food for the families. Can you get them in?”
Drew opened his mouth to object and stopped. He couldn’t argue; I was his boss, and he knew it. He spoke to the guards at the door, who nodded before we took the elevator to Amy’s floor. As we approached the ward, the uniforms stared us down before they recognised Drew.
Briefly, he informed them about Joe and Rory, and then he let me in and wandered away. I hoped Drew got some sleep. Poor fucker certainly needed it. As I entered, both Duke and Phil came to attention before they saw it was me.
“Didn’t expect to see you again,” Duke muttered.
“Wanted to check how Amy’s managing and see if there’s any update on Declan.”
“Declan was rushed into emergency surgery. His spleen ruptured; it had been missed in his exam,” Phil said, and I stiffened and glanced around. Declan lay in his bed playing with the fire truck I’d bought him.
“No family still?”
“No. They won’t tell us either,” Duke complained.
“Hold on.” I yanked out my phone and dialled a number.
“What’s up, Vortex?” Willow asked.