Chapter 4 #2
“Never know. Might have been Skeet,” he said dryly, peeling his jacket off to check his wound. “Motherfucker. At least it went right through.”
Sirens sounded, and we couldn’t exactly take off. There was no way I was riding my bike home, and Marco wouldn’t make it that far.
“Fuck,” I spat, tossing my helmet aside and leaning back against the fence, knowing we had no choice but to stay and deal with the cops. “Call Faris and tell them we’ll be back late. I’ll call Skeet and straight up ask that fucker if it was him.”
I went to grab my phone from its holder on the bike, finding it missing. It must have fallen off in the crash.
“We’ll track down Skeet when we get back,” Marco said as he called Faris, seeing my phone was gone too.
It took over an hour for the cops to let us go and clear the bits of my bike from the road. Apart from my body aching, nothing felt broken, so I waved off medical assistance.
Marco wasn’t too happy when I made him go with the ambulance for his bullet wound, not exactly being able to hide the fact he’d been shot when he was bleeding everywhere and people had reported a shooter.
With my bike on the back of a truck, I took Marco’s helmet and rode his bike back to his house, forgetting Tyler was there until I let myself inside to find Marco’s car keys so I could get him from the hospital.
“The fuck happened to you?” Tyler demanded as he sprang up from the couch as I walked past to grab the keys from the drawer.
“Some asshole shot at us on the way back. Mark’s fine, he’s getting a bullet wound patched in the hospital. My bike went out from under me,” I grunted, snatching the keys up as I found them.
“You crashed the bike? Are you okay?”
“I’m standing right in front of you, so yes,” I deadpanned, glaring at him as he yanked the keys from my hand. “I don’t have time for your bullshit, Ty. Give me the keys so I can go and get him.”
“I’ll drive.”
“No, you stay here.”
“Let me. You’ve been on the road all damn day, just be a passenger princess for five minutes,” he snapped, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Get in the car,” he directed as he walked out, leaving me to lock up with the bike keys as he made himself comfortable in the driver’s seat of Marco’s car.
I couldn’t lie, it was good to be able to just sit while he drove. Exhaustion filled me, and it was only three in the afternoon.
“We could be waiting awhile,” I warned as we parked and headed towards the main doors.
“Welcome to the world of privilege,” he scoffed, walking straight up to the front counter and asking to see Marco.
The second they realized he was a rich prick who could get them all fired for absolutely no reason, the poor guy behind the desk rushed to make sure everything was in order, ushering us to the new room they’d put Marco in.
Usually, we got a cramped corner when we came in here, but Tyler’s influence apparently gave us an upgrade to a private room and lunch.
“Hey,” Marco grinned, my steps slowing as I narrowed my eyes on him. He looked way too happy, my gut sinking when I realized they’d given him some type of pain relief.
“What the fuck did they give you?” I bit out, stalking closer to grab his chin.
“Whoa, hands off, baby,” he snickered, trying to shoo me away. “You’re cock blocking me from the hot nurses. Don’t let them see you groping me or they’ll think I’m taken.”
“Chill out. They’ve probably just given him a low dose of pain relief,” Tyler said with a frown, but I was already snatching his chart from beside the bed to read it over.
Morphine. They’d given him fucking morphine.
“Son of a bitch,” I hissed, putting it back and raking a hand through my hair. This was the last thing I needed right now.
“Hunt, come snuggle,” Marco said, completely oblivious to the mental breakdown I was having, and I looked over to find him tugging Tyler onto the bed beside him. “You smell good.”
Tyler laughed, swatting Marco’s wandering hands away but letting him snuggle him, so at least he could occupy Marco while I murdered every damn nurse in this hospital.
I stepped into the hallway, looking for a nurse.
Someone was giving me answers because I’d made sure all of his medical history included the fact that he was a recovering addict and he was not to be given anything.
Had he asked for it? He’d been smoking weed a lot lately, I kept catching him and taking it off him, so was he also sneaking other shit?
I’d notice if he was strung out on the hard shit, but maybe pills?
“Hey!” I snapped as I approached a nurse, her eyes widening in panic when I towered over her. “Who the fuck is Marco Ortega’s nurse?”
“Sir—”
“Tell me or you’re dead too,” I growled, someone joining us.
“Can I help you? I’m his nurse,” a woman said calmly, not flinching when I jabbed a finger against her chest.
“You gave him morphine?”
“Yes. There were a few stray shards from the bullet we had to dig out before he required a few stitches. He was in a lot of pain,” she said calmly. “Please take a step back.”
I did as she asked, only to avoid getting myself thrown out.
“Did you check his medical history first? He’s a recovering addict. He can’t have anything,” I spat, a flicker of panic crossing her face. She knew she’d fucked up.
“He was in pain. I—”
“What if he’d been allergic? Jesus Christ. If this fucks everything up, this hospital is paying for his rehab. I can’t fucking do that shit again,” I snapped, considering just strangling her to make myself feel a little bit better.
“I’m going to get my boss,” she squeaked out, and I snorted.
“You do that. I’ll sue that fucker too.”
I stormed back into Marco’s room, finding him chuckling at something Tyler was saying. How the hell did I handle this? He was a nightmare to get clean last time, and if he’d been on edge lately, this would definitely push him over.
“Hunter?” I heard behind me, turning to find Josie. “Was that you causing a scene in the hallway?”
“I haven’t even fucking started yet,” I scoffed, motioning to Marco. “They drugged him up on morphine. His records state he’s a recovering addict and he’s not to take anything like that. Years of work down the drain.”
Her eyes hardened as she looked over at the guys, her voice flat. “They didn’t check before administering pain relief?”
“No. I’ve fought so hard to keep him clean. He’s worked his ass off,” I huffed, not knowing what to do. “Why are you here?”
“Ty messaged me to let me know you guys were here. Keep your cool, stay with Marco,” she ordered.
“His nurse is getting her boss for me. She—”
“I’ll handle it,” she promised, patting my arm. “Did you visit the prison?”
“I did. My friend is keeping an eye on Rory. You heard about the incident?” I asked, knowing they would have called her as well about the burn.
“How the fuck did a prisoner get hold of hot tea?” she hissed, her cursing making me smile a little.
“They’re allowed hot drinks, they just don’t allow boiling water. Still hurts like fuck but it won’t give you third degree burns or anything.”
“I should sue them so bad their great, great grandchildren are still paying it off.”
“You’re one scary lady,” I grinned, making her shrug.
“No one messes with that girl. She’s been through enough.
Wait here while I talk to the administrator.
This won’t get swept under the rug. I want disciplinary action taken against his nurse and anyone else who signed off on it.
They should be shut down for medical malpractice,” she scowled, patting my arm again before leaving the room to cause a stir on our behalf.
Marco was asleep when I turned around, his arm tightly around Tyler to spoon him and his hand up the front of his shirt to feel his skin.
Tyler looked tired too, but he seemed content just lying there while Marco slept.
“Josie’s a baddie,” he said as an explanation, and I chuckled, sitting in the chair beside the bed.
“She is. I’m surprised she’s kicking up such a fuss for us.”
“You risked your life for Rory with the drive-by, and you and Marco have been run off your feet trying to help both Rory and Josie since Rory’s arrest. You’re part of the furniture now. Welcome to the club,” he joked.
“Sorry about Mark. He’s stupidly affectionate when he’s high.”
“I don’t mind. The guys snuggle me all the time when I need it. I’m very touchy feely and confident in my sexuality. It’s a shame I’m not into guys. I have some really good looking friends, you know?”
I rolled my eyes at him, knowing he wasn’t even joking.
“He’s not usually so cuddly, he just likes the feel of things when he’s high and sometimes drunk.”
“I get it, me too,” he mumbled before yawning. “Damn, we shouldn’t have stayed up so late gaming.”
“You might as well sleep too. I doubt we’re going anywhere for a while,” I suggested, grabbing Marco’s phone from the bedside table and unlocking it to check in with the guys.
There was no trouble on their end, and I had to stop myself when I went to call Rory, forgetting she couldn’t answer.
Tyler fell asleep fast, and I watched them for a solid two hours before Josie reappeared.
“Are they together too?” she asked with amusement, watching as they slept.
“No, they just have a strong bromance,” I mumbled, looking over at her. “Are they shaking in their boots?”
“Absolutely. They’re looking into a bunch of the nurses for similar issues, so Marco’s nurse has been sent home until further notice.
If he needs rehab, it’s covered. The hospital will do anything to keep this out of the papers,” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “I made sure they agreed to give him the best facility too. Do you think he’ll be okay to go home?
They said he can be discharged, but they’re also too scared to send him packing until you’re ready. ”
“I’ll let him sleep a little longer before we go. Thanks. I would’ve just gotten myself arrested,” I muttered, and she gave me a knowing smile.
“You’re welcome. You’re seeing Rory on Wednesday, correct?”
“Correct.”