Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
EMBERLYNNE
“I’m not sure he’s going to make it.” Londyn’s words replay in my mind on a relentless loop.
At the time, his condition was dire, but he’s doing better than expected.
In less than thirty minutes I’ll be landing in Atlanta, hoping and praying that nothing has changed.
There were no flights leaving Sturgis until today and I’ve been a wreck since the news.
Malcolm kept me updated on Silas’s condition until I boarded the plane, and that eased some of my worry.
Silas was shot twice and miraculously, no major organs were hit.
Still, he’s in bad shape because of the bullet in his chest. The impact collapsed his lung and he’s having trouble breathing. They removed the bullets, but the doctors are still determining the best treatment for his lung. That was the last update before having to put away my phone.
My hands grip the armrests tightly, the steady hum of the engine doing little to calm my pounding heart or the guilt pressing down on me.
I had a chance to talk to Silas, to make things right and I let it slip through my fingers.
Now, with every mile, I draw closer to the possibility of never getting that chance again.
His prognosis is optimistic, but as the doctor warned, things can go wrong with injuries like this, especially two gunshot wounds. The next few days are critical.
As I stare out the window at the city slowly coming into view, my heart aches over all the things I wish I could undo.
I would give anything to turn back the hands of time and listen to his words just to hear his voice again.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I need to be there for Silas, just as he was there for me.
This is my wake-up call that life is short and if there’s even a chance for us to work through this, I have to take it.
Malcolm, no, Nightmare, I remind myself, was supposed to pick me up from the airport and take me to Grady Memorial Hospital where Silas is being treated.
However, when I reach baggage claim, I spot Londyn by the carousel, her eyes scanning the crowd until they find me.
She gives a small, hesitant wave, and I walk over, surprised but oddly relieved to see her.
“Hey,” she says, nervously twirling a lock of her hair. “Thanks for… letting me pick you up.”
I raise an eyebrow, grabbing my bags off the conveyor. “Actually, I thought Malcolm, I’m sorry, Nightmare was picking me up,” I reply. Her face shifts from surprise to realization, and then a knowing smile. Clearly, he orchestrated this to get us talking.
“It’s okay, Londyn. I’m glad you’re here,” I add softly.
“You are?” She asks, clearly taken aback.
“I know what I said on the phone and I meant it, but… I’ve missed you. I’ve missed our friendship.”
“Ember, I’m so sorry,” she says, her voice thick with regret. “I know I’ve apologized, but I really mean it. I should’ve been honest with you.”
As we head toward the parking ramp, I let her words sink in. “When you called to tell me about Silas, it hit me how much time I’ve wasted being angry.”
The noise of the airport swirls around us; cars honking, people rushing by… but it all fades as we walk side-by-side. When we finally reach the car, Londyn speaks again, her voice trembling slightly.
“You had every right to be angry,” she admits. “I should’ve told you about being in the club from the beginning.”
Staring out the window as we pull onto the highway, I take a deep breath. “It hurt to be kept in the dark, especially by someone I trust, but I know loyalty to the club comes first. I just wish it didn’t have to cost our friendship.”
Londyn’s face softens with understanding. “I’ve missed you more than I can say,” I whisper, my voice catching. “These last few weeks… I felt lost without you.”
A small, hopeful smile tugs at her lips. “I’ve missed you too, Em. Losing you was one of the hardest parts of all this. If you’ll let me, I want to make it up to you.”
Reaching across the console, I squeeze her hand, letting her know it’s time to let go of the hurt. “You don’t need to make anything up to me. Just… no more secrets, okay?”
She nods firmly. “No more secrets,” she promises.
There’s a lot we need to discuss and work through, but I’m hopeful we can rebuild our friendship.
With the hospital less than ten miles away, Londyn gives me a quick update on Silas’s condition.
I’m surprised to hear he’s been awake and talking, though mostly out due to the pain medication.
My anxiety spikes as I realize he might be awake when I get there, and I have no idea what I’m going to say.
Stepping off the elevator at the hospital, I’m immediately struck by the sight of several Royal Bastard members lining the hall, their faces set with quiet resolve.
Their presence radiates solidarity, each of them here for Maverick as if they’re standing guard.
The scene stirs memories of my own childhood, growing up in the Rebel Riders.
The atmosphere back then couldn’t have been more different.
Our club was chaos, barely held together, reckless and unorganized.
They were driven by impulse more than any true brotherhood.
It was always the next ride or the next fight, loyalty wrapped in trouble rather than purpose.
My dad tried to change things, make the club into something for everyone, but the Prez loved living on the edge, stirring up trouble that followed us everywhere.
It’s why my mother isn’t here today, caught in the crossfire with a rival MC that no one truly understood.
Being part of that club felt more like surviving a storm with no one to really lean on.
Now, seeing the Bastards gathered here for Maverick, I sense a strength and kinship I never felt in my father’s club.
They’re here for no other reason than because they’re a family.
My steps are a little shaky as I make my way down the hall, feeling a bit out of place.
I’m not sure what to expect since the only two people I know are Malcolm and Londyn.
One by one, they offer open smiles, nods, and encouraging pats on the shoulder.
The warmth of their hugs and easy introductions fill me with unexpected reassurance.
“I’m Steel,” says a tall broad-shouldered man, whose fierce expression softens with his smile. He’s broody, but reminds me of a gentle giant. Next is a man with the most striking raven hair I’ve ever seen.
“Name’s Lone Wolf. Mav’s pictures don’t do you justice,” he compliments with a friendly wink, pulling me into a hug and kissing my cheek.
As the introductions continue, I’m overwhelmed by the love they all have for Silas and it brings me comfort knowing he has this unwavering support.
It feels surreal having this line of strangers welcome me as though I belong.
And for the first time, I feel like I just might.
“It's nice to meet all of you and thank you for being here for Silas… I mean, Maverick. I’m going to go in and see him now,” I say, feeling a sense of calm settle over me.
“We wouldn’t be anywhere else, Em,” Malcolm replies, wrapping his arms around Londyn as she leans against him.
The ease between them is so natural, like they’ve known each other forever.
Facing the double doors leading to the patient rooms, I take a deep breath, unsure of what to say to Silas if he’s awake.
Do I apologize for not listening to him before?
If I had listened, would I have forgiven him, saving us both from this month of distance?
My love for him has been at war with my own confusion, and I know now that much of my reaction came from anger.
Being lied to, being taken… it made me feel like I had to reclaim control over my life, to protect myself in the only way I knew how.
Stepping quietly into Silas’s hospital room, I take in the sight of him lying there, his face softened in sleep, a little bruised but at peace.
Crossing the room slowly, my eyes linger on him, tracing over every familiar feature and the bandages wrapping his chest. My heart quickens with the need to touch him, hold him, wanting to feel him but my mind tells me to proceed with caution.
Moving closer, I sink into the chair beside his bed, a rush of emotions flood through me as I instinctively reach for his hand, careful not to disturb him.
My eyes mist over as I take in every detail of his face, my heart stirring with the longing I tried to bury.
I stare down at our hands, my skin on his, yearning for the time before everything went to hell and I realize, despite what’s happened, Silas still feels like home.
What I’m feeling is stronger than expected.
Seeing him like this, pale, bandaged, vulnerable…
it all makes my heart ache in a way that I’m not fully prepared for.
It's in this moment that I realize how much I truly miss having him in my life and the space I’ve put between us didn’t lessen my love for him, but made it hurt all the more.
“Silas… I didn’t realize how much I missed you until Londyn told me what happened,” I quietly confess, grazing his knuckles with my thumb.
“I’ve spent so much time holding onto my anger, but I think I’m ready to let it go.
If you’re willing to talk when you wake up, I’ll be here to listen.
I just need to understand.” My thoughts spiral as darker possibilities creep in.
What if I missed my chance to hear his side?
What if, in my silence and stubborn refusal to talk, he’s decided to move on?
Taking a deep breath, I add, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I want us to find a way to move forward, whatever that means. Just… get better and I’ll be here.”