Chapter Nine
“Have you talked to Farrah since she went to Billy’s?” Gina asks as we take a walk.
We try to get one in at least once a week when things are quiet on the floor. This time we are walking around the outside of the hospital.
“I have texted with her a couple of times, but she is still claiming that Loyal wants her and she feels unsafe in my home now. I want to hold onto her with both hands at the same time as I want to give her what she wants and let her live with her father.”
“Do you believe him? That he didn’t come onto her?”
I nod. “We have cameras in the front room. I didn’t want Loyal to think I didn’t believe him, but I watched them after he went home.
She came onto him and he firmly turned her down.
I felt guilty doing it, but I never want to be that mother that didn’t believe her daughter when it really happened.
I shouldn’t be thankful my daughter is a liar, but I am. ”
“That’s a tough spot to be put in. I remember when my parents divorced. I was nine. I was angry for a while, but when my parents started dating other people, I never acted this way. Do you think it’s because of her age?” Gina asks.
“That has something to do with it. I also think Billy is in her ear. He never wanted the divorce. He tried to stop it and even convinced the court to mandate we stay separated for a year before the divorce was final. He fought tooth and nail to keep me under his thumb.”
“How did you get them to grant the divorce?”
I smile. “I was honest. I told the judge that we married when I was sixteen and pregnant and had no idea what I was doing. That I didn’t know what I wanted out of life, but that my parents forced me to marry him because having a child out of wedlock was a sin in their eyes.
I even told the judge he could call my parents into the court and they would tell him that they do not agree with the decision to divorce.
Then I told him that I now know what I want, and a loveless marriage isn’t it.
I tried to make it work, but you can’t make puzzle pieces fit if they aren’t cut the same.
The judge agreed and granted the divorce.
I had no ill will. I was even willing to give him everything, but the judge refused and split things down the middle.
I got the house and my car. He got the beach house he had already been staying in and the penthouse apartment downtown along with his car.
Our bank account was separated, with the money being split evenly.
Then they gave me alimony and child support because my income would change dramatically.
I was shocked. So was Billy. He effectively tried to bankrupt me, but the courts wouldn’t allow it. ”
“He is such a dick.”
“That he is, and he continues to be. You know he hasn’t paid child support or alimony in two months. I could take him to court, but I want to be done with him. I don’t even care if he doesn’t pay me another cent if he would disappear,” I sigh.
She laughs. “Don’t tell your biker boyfriend that. He might really disappear.”
I smack her arm. “Loyal isn’t like that.”
At least, I don’t think he is.
“Speaking of, look at that bike. I would love to be on the back of it.”
I follow her gaze to the bike in the parking lot. It looks a lot like Loyal’s.
“Me too. Loyal is going to take me on a ride this weekend. I can’t wait.”
It’ll be my first time on a bike. I’m nervous but also excited.
We head into the emergency room, and I glance into the waiting area. I stop dead in my tracks when I see him.
Loyal is standing there, blood covering his front as he paces.
I don’t think. I move.
“Matt,” I call out as I get closer to him.
His eyes meet mine, and they look wild.
“What happened? Are you okay?” I ask, searching him for wounds.
Pulling a pair of gloves from my scrubs, I put them on before I start examining him.
“It’s not me. It’s Happy. Some fucker in an SUV cut him off. He went down. They won’t tell me anything. It’s driving me insane.”
“Shh,” I tell him. “It’s okay. I will see what I can find. Stay here.”
Taking the gloves off, I head toward the desk. “Hey there. I work in labor and delivery. Can you buzz me back?” I ask the woman at the desk.
She looks at my badge, then nods.
I head into the back, walking with a purpose. When I get to the nurses’ station, I smile kindly.
“Hey, I have a friend who was brought in. Motorcycle crash. I was just wondering if he’s doing okay. I know you can’t tell me much because of HIPAA, but I was hoping you could just nod if he’s okay?”
“Oh yeah. Big biker dude. Surprised you would know someone like that, but yeah. He’s a pain in the ass. Doesn’t want shots because needles are scary, yet he’s covered in tattoos. He’s in six if you want to go see him.”
I shake my head. “Nah. If he’s being difficult, I’ll stay out of the way. Thank you.”
I head back out to the waiting room and find Loyal waiting.
“He’s okay. Being difficult for staff, but okay. They will come get you as soon as they can. I really don’t want to leave you, but I have to get back to work,” I tell him, heart torn.
He cups my cheeks, his hands now free of blood. He must’ve washed up while I went into the back.
“Go deliver babies. I will text you when they let me back. Thank you, Sami.”
He leans in, kissing my lips. I kiss him back before pulling away.
“I hope your friend is okay.”
He nods. “He is a tough guy. He will be.”
As I walk back to my floor, I realize how dangerous Loyal’s life really is. What if that had been him?
I would have been devastated.
It made one thing clear. I’m not falling for Loyal.
I’m already there.
The accident came out of nowhere. I am always on guard because of what we do as a club.
You always imagine a bullet taking your life.
Not a soccer mom who couldn’t take the extra three seconds to look over her shoulder and make sure the lane was clear.
Yet her SUV collided with Happy, taking him down.
Thankfully he was wearing his protective gear, but when I got to him, he wasn’t conscious. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a concussion.
They carted him off in an ambulance, and I followed straight away. I had no idea that we even ended up at Sami’s hospital. Not until I saw her.
Seeing Sami helped calm some of my nerves. Especially when she was able to get back there and tell me that Happy was okay.
I still paced, but it was less frantic.
It takes another hour before I am let back to see Happy. When I walk into the room, I don’t miss all the looks the staff gave me along the way.
“You are causing trouble yet again,” I tell him in lieu of a greeting.
“They wanted to stick me with needles. I can’t even look down at my arm right now,” he admits.
I look and see an IV in his arm.
“I always think it’s funny when one of us is scared of needles. I never imagined it would have been you,” I tease.
He grimaces. “If you grew up like I did, you wouldn’t like them either.”
That sobers me up. I don’t know much about his childhood, but I do know it wasn’t great. I don’t want to think about what would have caused him not to like needles.
“Tattoos must’ve been hard for you then,” I joke.
“They hide the scars. They serve a purpose.”
“So does the IV, so maybe give the nurses a break,” I fire back.
He sighs. “Yeah, whatever. Anyway, you didn’t have to wait.”
I snort. “It was either I wait with you or the whole crew comes up. I’ve been keeping them at bay. Even had my girl come check on you for me.”
He frowns. “Which one is yours?”
“The pretty brown-haired one in pink,” I tell him.
He shakes his head. “I didn’t see anyone in pink. All the ones here wear blue.”
“Hmm. Maybe you didn’t see her then. She did check on you, though. So what’s the verdict?”
“Road rash mostly. Possibly a cracked rib. They are waiting on the x-ray to get back to make sure it’s nothing more serious. Otherwise, I’ll be fine,” he grumbles.
“Good. You scared the hell out of me. I saw you go down and thought you got clipped by the tire.”
“Aw. It’s almost like you care.” He smiles.
His smile is creepy to most. With the scar that goes from side to side, he looks like a monster instead of the man he is.
I shake my head. “Only because I would have had to pick up your slack.”
“No, no. Don’t backtrack now. You can admit you care about me. Maybe even love me.”
I glare at him. “If you don’t shut up, I will break another rib. I’m sure they’d need to stick you with another needle too.”
“Uh-huh. So now you see I’m fine. The real question is how is my baby?”
I wince. “Pretty beat up. I had the prospect load it up on the trailer and take it to the shop. Rex is working on getting the parts for it now.”
Happy growls. “I don’t want him touching it.”
I hold up my hands. “Easy, big guy. He’s only getting the parts here so you can fix it your goddamn self. Chill.”
A knock at the door has me turning. A pretty young nurse walks in.
“Sorry, you have a visitor at the front desk. Penelope?”
His expression lightens. “She can come back and he can go.”
“Whatever, man. I’ll come back and pick your grumpy ass up when they discharge you.”
“Send the prospect. He’s easier to deal with.”
I chuckle. “Which is why I’ll be here. If you aren’t careful, I’ll send Savage.”
I ignore his cursing as I leave the room. Walking down the hall, I smile at Penelope as she walks by, flowers in her hand. I don’t stop to chat, though. No. She seemed determined to get to Happy.
I don’t know what is going on with the two of them, but he’s made it known her shop is protected.
Leaving that drama behind, I head up to the labor and delivery floor. Stopping outside the locked doors, I press the buzzer.
“Yes,” a polite, feminine voice calls.
“I’m here to see Sami. It’s Loyal.”
The woman doesn’t respond, but Sami comes through the doors a few moments later.
“Is he okay?” she asks.
“He will be. I’m going to head out until he’s discharged. I just wanted to see your pretty face before I go.”
She rolls her eyes before she leans into me. Pressing a quick kiss to my lips, she peers up at me under her lashes.
“I’m glad he is okay, and I am happy to have you visit me at work, but next time can it not be when you are covered in your friend’s blood?”
I snort. “I make no promises.”
“Get out of here. I have a mom about to be at the pushing stage. I will see you later?” she asks.
“You can’t keep me away,” I growl before nuzzling her neck.
I wait for her to go back through the doors before I finally turn away. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I shoot off a quick text to Savage letting him know the status of Happy.
Then I head out.
I’m grateful that Happy is okay and that this was an accident and not related to the club because if Sami knew the truth of our club, it might send her running.
I’m not sure I would be able to let her get far.