Chapter 9 #3
“I mean it, Corry. No fucking around.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll stay right here.”
I nodded, then raced down the hall to the infirmary.
When I walked in, the whole fucking crew was standing in the corner, watching as Doc worked his magic on Country.
Even from across the room, I could see that Country was pretty fucked up.
His eyes were almost swollen shut, his lip was busted, swollen and bleeding, and his face was covered in bruises.
And that was just his fucking face. His entire body was covered in contusions and blood, and there were two gaping wounds on his side where he’d been fucking stabbed.
It wasn’t a state I’d ever want to find my brother in.
In fact, it pissed me the fuck off. I leaned towards Menace as I asked, “How’s he doing? ”
“Hard to tell.” Menace never took his eyes off Country as he continued, “Look at him...He’s barely moved since we brought him in.”
“Still no idea who did this shit?”
“No clue. I tried checking the security feed. Only saw a few guys hanging out in the front lot, but they were wearing hoods, and I couldn’t make out their faces. Not that it mattered. I’m not even sure they’re the ones who did this shit.”
“So, how we gonna find out?”
“Gonna have to wait on Country. Hoping he’ll be able to tell us something.” Menace turned to me as he said, “Doesn’t matter. One way or another, I’m gonna find who did this, and when I do, we’re gonna make them pay for what they did to Country.”
“Damn straight we are.”
I looked over to Rafe, and it was clear from his expression, he was struggling to see Country in such a state.
We all were. Country was always the life of the party.
Hell, you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, and it hurt to see him fighting for his life.
We all watched as Viper went up behind Doc and asked, “Whatcha think?”
“They got him good. I’ll give them that.
” Doc continued to tend to the largest of the two wounds.
“They nicked his liver, but not enough to cause him any major trouble. Looks like one of ‘em might’ve been using a set of brass knuckles. He’s got a few pretty bad contusions, a concussion, and several bruised ribs. ”
“Well, damn. They did a real number on him.”
“Sure did. I figure they’re trying to make a point with all this. Either a threat or a retaliation.” Doc shook his head. “Either way, I’ll get him patched up and back on his feet.”
Viper stepped closer, and anguish marked his face as he looked down at Country.
Viper wasn’t one to let his emotions get the best of him.
He was hard, tough as nails, and never let anyone or anything get him down.
So it was tough to see him look so distraught as he leaned down and whispered, “I need you to hang in there, brother. Stay strong. We’ll get the motherfuckers who did this shit. I promise ya that.”
Country didn’t respond. Instead, he just lay there, passed out cold, and it was all I could do to keep myself from going over there to shake him and yell.
I wanted to do something to bring him around, but Country was young, strong, and determined.
He would come around eventually, but for now, I and everyone in that room would just have to wait.
Viper looked to Doc as he said, “I want to know the second he wakes up.”
“You got it, Prez.”
Viper nodded, then started towards the door. Before walking out, he turned to us and said, “Time to clear out and give Doc some space.”
We followed him out into the hall and listened intently as he said, “I wanna know who did this, and I wanna know now.”
“It’d help if Country could tell us something,” Menace replied.
“That’s not happening any time soon, so you’re gonna be on your own with this one.”
“I’ll start going through the security feed at the club. Maybe I can come up with something there.”
“Check through street cams, too. We need to know if that fucking van has any connection to all this.”
“I’m on it.”
Hawk stepped forward as he said, “I’ll come help you out.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“Let me know if you find anything.” Viper turned to the rest of us as he announced, “Stay close. I’ll let you boys know as soon as I hear anything.”
“You got it,” Shotgun answered.
When the brothers started to disperse, I went back to the family room to find Corry.
When I walked in, he was standing over by one of the pool tables rolling the balls into the corner pocket.
He was so enthralled in his personal match he didn’t even notice when I walked up. “We need to call your mother.”
“Oh, man.” A look of disappointment washed over him as he asked, “Do we have to?”
“Afraid so. It’s getting late, and I’m sure she’s wondering where the hell you are.”
“Yeah, I should’ve already called her, but my phone died when I was at the park.”
“I’ll make the call.”
I took my phone out of my back pocket and dialed her number. As I stood there waiting for her to answer, Corry mumbled, “She’s gonna be sooo pissed.”
“Don’t I know it.”