Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Tombstone
I didn’t want to leave Sutton alone, but I figured she could use a few minutes alone to shower. I know I told her I’d go fix her a bite to eat. However, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to leave my bedroom. Instead, I sat on my bed with my head bowed and elbows braced on my thighs.
Having her sob against my chest in the living room confirms what I’ve decided. She’s mine, and I’m not going to give her up.
Giving her up means I’ll have to walk away . . . I already did that once and look what happened. Those bastards wouldn’t have gotten her if I’d been there.
“Fuck,” I mutter, reaching up to brush my fingers through my hair in frustration. This whole scenario could’ve been prevented if I’d have just opened my fuckin’ eyes.
Sitting here now, guilt is eating at my gut. Not only for what I could’ve kept from happening, but for the way I feel about Sutton. I swore to myself after Ronaele died, I wouldn’t be with another woman. Now not only have I failed one woman, but two.
A pounding on my front door draws me out of my head. I furrow my brow as I stand and pull my gun out of my holster while storming to the front of my house. Seeing through the glass pane of the window on the door, I let out a heavy breath and replace the gun back where it goes.
Grabbing the handle, I flip the lock and open it only to get nearly trampled by a frantic pregnant Ivy. Reaper, Angel, and Daemon are not far behind her.
“Where is she?” Ivy demands. Something in Ivy’s tone sends warning bells through my head.
Fuckin’ hell, what now?
“What’s going on?’ I ask gravelly, a sense of dread washing over me.
“Tombstone, where is she? Where’s Sutton?”
“She’s in my bathroom taking a show . . .” I don’t get to finish as Ivy pivots and rushes through my house, heading for my room. I glance to my brothers and then follow right on her heels.
In my room, Ivy pounds on the door to my bathroom, screaming, “Open the door.”
“Precious, you gotta calm down,” Reaper says, moving to pull her away, but she thrashes in his grasp, trying to get to the door.
“No, someone get that door open . . .” she screams.
Seeing the utter fear in her eyes, I realize she knows something, and whatever it is, it isn’t good.
Stepping to the door, I try the doorknob.
When it doesn’t open, I take a step back, bring my foot up, and kick the door in.
The wood crashes against the wall as I enter the small steaming hot bathroom.
My gut twists and clenches in my chest when I see her.
“Sutton,” I yell, rushing to open the shower stall. Reaching over, I shut off the water.
“Here, brother,” Angel says, holding a towel out for me. “I’ll get the first aid kit.”
Snatching the towel, I wrap both Sutton’s wrists and lift her small pale wet body from the floor. Spinning on my heel, I rush her over to my bed, not even carrying about the comforter and sheets. My main priority is keeping Sutton alive.
I block out everything around me as Angel sets the kit next to me. First things first, bandaging Sutton’s wrist enough to get her to the hospital. They can further help. With quick work, I wrap her wrists using whole rolls of gauze tightly, taping the ends to keep the wraps closed.
I pick her up in my arms and finally meet my brothers’ concerned looks. “I gotta get her to the hospital.”
“I’ll drive,” Angel states, already holding my truck keys.
“I’m with you,” Daemon says, grabbing a dry blanket and placing it over Sutton’s body.
“We’ll follow,” Reaper growls, holding Ivy close as he turns to guide her out of my room.
“Right, let’s get going,” I grunt, carrying her out to the truck.
Daemon opens the door to the back seat. I hand her over to him long enough to climb in and for him to give her back.
The door closes as Angel starts the truck, and Daemon hops in the passenger seat.
Looking down, I slide a hand up to brush her wet hair from her face. “Don’t do this to me, Sutton. Don’t you fuckin’ die.”
I don’t think I’ll be able to take it if she dies. I’d been gutted when Ronaele died, but if Sutton dies, I’ll fuckin’ lose it.
Pacing the Emergency Room waiting area, I’m pissed they'd kept me from going to the back with my Bambina.
I can’t stop thinking of if I’d been even a moment or two later, I could’ve lost Sutton.
One question the keeps popping in my head is how did Ivy know. Glancing over to where she’s sitting with Reaper—his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. My Prez’s gaze meets mine, and he nods like he knows what I’m thinking.
Stepping closer, I squat in front of Ivy, and she brings her tear-filled ones to mine.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve said something before you guys went after her, but she was coming to the clubhouse. I knew I could help her without her thinking she’d try this,” Ivy cries, shaking her head profusely.
“She’s tried to kill herself before?” I ask, cocking my head to the side, my brow creasing at the thought of my beautiful woman wanting to end her life.
Nodding, Ivy closes her eyes. “I won’t tell you her past. That’s for her, but I’ve known Sutton since I was eight.
I’ve seen firsthand what it was like.” Releasing a heavy breath, she looks at me once more.
Her face filled with sorrow. “I knew . . . I knew this would trigger a lot for her, and I wanted to help her.”
“You did help her. You showed up and warned me before it was too late,” I say, touching her knee and giving it a squeeze. “Nothing else you could’ve done.”
“There’s plenty more I could’ve done,” Ivy protests.
“Precious, no, there’s nothing else you’d be able to do. She’s gonna be okay. We’ll make sure of it,” Reaper states sternly. He’s not one for situations like this, especially after Ivy’s accident.
The doors to the back open, and we all look in that direction to find Stella, a doctor, and friend to the club, coming in our direction. Well, she’s more than a friend of the club. Hellhound is her brother.
“Stella,” I nod in greeting, straightening. “How is she?”
“She’s gonna be okay.” She nods. “We’re keeping her a few days for observation. She’ll also need to speak with one of the psychs before being discharged. I don’t know what happened to her, but she’s been through a lot. I’m sure you’ve seen the thin scars on the inside of her thighs.”
Fuck. I remember them. Though I didn’t take the time to ever ask.
Maybe if I did, I would’ve known this could happen.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Anyways, give them about ten minutes, and they’ll have her in a room,” Stella says, placing her hands in her pockets and pulling out a slip of paper to hand to me.
“Thanks, Stella. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.” I nod, feeling like I can breathe again at the news. She’ll be okay, even if it’s physical. Mentality-wise, she won’t be okay—not by a long shot.
I turn toward my brothers and Ivy as Stella leaves. “I’m gonna head up to her floor.”
“Reaper and I’ll go to the house and pack her a bag. She’ll want comfy clothes to wear. I know she hates those gowns,” Ivy says, swiping the tears from her eyes.
“Right,” I mutter and look to my brothers. “Be safe.”
“Will do, brother,” Reaper grunts gruffly and takes his woman’s hand, guiding her out of the waiting room.
“We’ll head over to the clubhouse, fill everyone in and snag you a fresh pair of clothes for yourself,” Angel states, nodding his head, eying my shirt.
Glancing down, I notice the dirt and grime on it. I guess I could do with a new set of clothes, but I’m not leaving to get them. I give Angel and Daemon a two-finger salute and head for the hall leading to the main part of the hospital.
When I get to Sutton’s room, I find they’ve got her already set up, and she’s sleeping.
I silently make my way to the side of her bed and sit.
Taking her hand in mine, I pick her hand up to hold it in mine as I look up into her beautiful pale face.
Normally Sutton has this vibrancy surrounding her, but right now, it’s missing.
“I’m right here, Bambina. I’m not goin’ anywhere, and neither are you. You and me, we’re gonna get through this together. You aren’t alone anymore.”