Chapter 24
COPPER
I don’t let them know, but I’m awake the entire time that Bee and Sam talk.
Their conversation is long overdue, and it won’t be their last one, but I know they needed to clear the air to move forward.
They have no choice, considering our families are so closely intertwined.
I know Bee. It hurt her more than she let on to be separated from her family.
I doze off once I know Bee has gone back to sleep. We’re safe enough here. Between my brothers and the Crow MC, a brother is always keeping watch. It feels good to relax our constant vigilance, knowing we have people we trust watching over us.
***
The next two days pass slowly, and Bee is champing at the bit to get out of here. Her sister-in-law, Rea, told her she can’t leave until she’s finished her intravenous antibiotics. She grumbled but settled down when she heard that Noah needed to stay another night at least.
Bee’s maternal side doesn’t surprise me.
She has a huge capacity for love, even though she thinks she doesn’t.
Noah’s bond with her is also no surprise.
She saved him and made sure he knew he was safe with her.
Ramzi and Cahir said they’ll let her know what they find out as soon as Bee and Noah are discharged.
Something tells me that it won’t be good news, but we’ll figure it out. I’ll make sure he stays with us if he has no one else. He’s a cute kid, and he’s been through hell. We’ll get him all the help he needs to ensure he’s okay after his ordeal.
***
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Bee’s angry voice wakes me up as she moves out of my arms.
I open my eyes to see the nurse from the other day, the one who strapped Noah to his bed.
Bee grabs the nurse’s arm, her face red with anger as Noah cowers at the bottom of the bed.
I don’t hesitate. I pluck up Noah in a flash. He curls into me, his little body shaking so hard that it worries me. Moving across the room, I shut the door.
Where the hell is the brother supposed to be watching us?
“What’s going on, Spice?”
“She was trying to take Noah. I want to know who she is and why she’s in here.”
“I told you,” the nurse says haughtily, “I’m here to take him down to the children’s ward so the consultant can see him.”
Bee yanks on the nurse’s arm, jerking the nurse over the bed toward her. I know it must hurt, but her mama bear instincts have been triggered. “And I told you that I didn’t believe you, bitch. Whatever Noah needs will happen under our supervision. You’ve fucked with the wrong people.”
A knock sounds on the door. Noah jerks in my arms and whimpers.
“Shhh, bud. It’s okay. Bee and I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“The lady says she’s taking me back to the bad man.”
Well, fuck, that’s sealed her fate.
Bee growls at Noah’s whispered words.
The nurse’s eyes widen, and she pales. “What? N-no! He’s confused,” she stammers.
“Bitch!” Bee hisses. She punches the nurse in the face, knocking her out cold and onto the bed. Lights out.
There’s another knock on the door, and Bolt calls out, “Cop, it’s me and Jeanie. Is everything okay?”
Copper opens the door for them.
“Fuck. What the hell happened?” Bolt demands,
“She tried to take Noah,” I explain.
“Well, fecking hell,” Jeanie mutters, appearing behind Bolt. She shakes her head as she looks at the unconscious nurse, then grins at Bee. “Hey, Bella. I see your right hook is still sharp. Shall I get my dad to pick her up and keep her at The Hole until you can deal with her?”
I’m surprised but not shocked that Bolt tied himself to a woman who matches Bee and Thea in strength, beauty, and loyalty. All three of our Old Ladies believe in doing what’s right, even if it’s not always legal. But then, Jeanie is an O’Shea.
Bee looks up at Jeanie’s comment. “Yeah, that would be great, thanks,” Bee replies. “Or the abattoir. Although The Hole is probably better as it’s got the cells.”
Bolt and I exchange a look when Bee mentions the cells. He grins, so I assume he knows about them.
“Can do. Give me a minute.” Jeanie turns to me with a grin and holds out her hand. “I’m Jeanie, your soon-to-be sister-in-law and mam to this one.” She runs a hand over the swell of her belly.
Fuck. Until that moment, I’d forgotten she was expecting my new nephew or niece.
I shake her hand. “Good to meet you, Jeanie. And congratulations.”
She grins and approaches Noah, running a gentle hand over his back. He turns to look at her when she tells him. “Don’t worry, Noah, Aunty Jeanie and your Bee will make sure that lady never comes near you again.”
“You promise?” he asks, needing the reassurance.
Jeanie holds up her little finger. “I pinky promise.”
“’Kay,” he whispers before turning back to me and hiding his face in my neck again. My heart clenches. I’m surprised at how quickly he’s come to trust me.
Jeanie turns to Bolt and kisses him. “Tie her up, babe. I’m going to call Dad.”
Bolt watches her adoringly as she waltzes out the door. “Fuck me, Cop, isn’t she fantastic?”
I nod and chuckle as I hand Noah to Bee.
“I’m sick of this, Sugar,’ she mutters. “I want the catheter out today. I need to be able to move around. I’m feeling a hundred times better. Did she hurt you?” she asks Noah without waiting for my answer.
He shakes his head.
“Sit here, baby. Cop and Bolt are going to tie her up and make sure she never hurts you again.” Bee settles him next to her on the bed, and they watch as I take hold of the sheet on Noah’s bed and, using my knife, I rip Noah’s bedsheet into strips to tie up the nurse.
“Here.” I give Bolt a length. “Get her feet. I’ll tie her hands.”
“Gag her, too,” Spice orders, clenching her hands by her sides. She’s still pissed but trying to hide it from Noah. But I know her tells. “Who was meant to be on duty?”
Bolt glances at me before reluctantly admitting, “Beau.”
I’m not sure if he expects Bee to blow up, but she’s not like that.
“Has someone checked in on him? Beau is Mr Responsibility. He’d never shirk his watch.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, trying the last knot. “I’ll go and check. Spice, are you good here?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” She reaches over to open the bedside cabinet drawer and removes her sheath of knives. “When you find Beau and we get the nurse out of here, I’ll call Rea to come up.”
I press a kiss to her lips and run a hand over Noah’s head, taking the time to check on him. The poor kid has had a shit time of it. “You doing okay, bud?”
He nods and sinks deeper into Bee, who automatically wraps an arm around him. “I stay Bee.”
“Yeah, bud, you stay here. Bolt is my brother, and he’ll stay with you, too, okay?”
He looks warily at Bolt before asking. “He good?”
Fuck me, my heart breaks every time he wants to know if he’s safe with someone. I’m ready to burn down buildings and raise hell on whoever hurt this boy.
“Yeah, Noah, Bolt is safe. He’s my baby brother.”
Noah’s eyes widen as he looks at Bolt. He may be the youngest Tin, but he’s the tallest and broadest. “He big. Not a baby.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, bud, he is big. And he’ll make sure you’re safe, okay?”
Noah nods but still eyes Bolt suspiciously. It’ll take time, but Noah will eventually learn that he’s safe with us.
Bolt tilts his chin at me as I leave, telling me without words that he’s got this.
I stop at the nurses’ station to ask the nurse on duty if she’s seen Beau. I’m not surprised when she says she hasn’t.
I search the entire floor, room by room, but find nothing until I get to the storeroom at the end that houses all the cleaning supplies. Beau is cursing and banging on the door, trying to get it open.
I open it and jump out of the way as a wild-eyed, pissed-off Beau barrels out, eyes searching the hallway. “Where the fuck is she?” he growls.
“Who?”
“The fucking nurse who drugged me.”
It’s beginning to make sense now. “We’ve got her tied up in Bee’s room. She tried to take Noah.”
Beau’s nostrils flare when he hears this, and he stagger-stalks down the hallway, the drugs in his system making him unsteady on his feet.
The nurse looks up in surprise when we get to her station, alarm in her eyes when she sees the state of Beau.
“Call Dr Rea Davies,” Beau orders.
She doesn’t hesitate, just nods, which I take to mean she knows the family. Beau staggers and almost goes down.
Gripping his arm, I throw it over my shoulder, telling the nurse, “Better let her know that Beau’s been drugged. We don’t know what with. I’ll take him to Bellamy Davies’ room.”
“Understood,” the nurse says, picking up the phone. “I’ll call her, then I’ll lock down this part of the hallway.”
“Appreciate it. My sister-in-law, Jeanie, will be back soon.”
The nurse nods. “I know Jeanie. I’ll make sure she gets back here.”
“Thanks.”
I help Beau into Bee’s room, and he collapses into the armchair with a groan. “Fuck, I feel like shit.”
“What happened?” Bee demands as soon as she sees Beau.
“The nurse drugged him.” I look around for the nurse and Bolt but don’t see either of them.
“Bolt’s putting her in the bathroom. We don’t need her in here frightening Noah,” Bee explains as Bolt walks back into the room.
“Fuck, Beau. You look like shit, man.”
Beau gives him the finger. “Sorry I let you down, Bells.”
“Don’t be an idiot, Beau,” Bee mutters. “Not your fault.”
They look at each other for a minute. If I were any other man, I’d be jealous, but Bee has spoken about Beau so often that I feel like I know him. They’re best friends, closer than brother and sister. He’s always there for her when she needs him—at least until she had to leave.
Noah peeks out from behind Bee, where he’s curled up.
Beau’s face softens. “Who’s the boy?”
Bee’s face lights up as she smiles and turns to look at Noah. “Do you want to come and meet one of my oldest friends?”
Noah nods and crawls from behind her onto her lap. “Noah, this is my friend, Beau. He’s another person you can trust. Beau, meet my boy, Noah.”