Chapter 32
Ricochet
My eyes were dry and scratchy the next morning when I woke up. I was sitting in a chair, hunched over Jordan’s bed, holding her hand while I slept. Groaning, I stretched and the popping of my spine sent a wave of euphoria through me.
Jordan’s eyes were closed as she rested, so I quietly made my way out into the hall. They’d kept her awake for most of the night as they kept an eye on her concussion, but around three in the morning, they’d finally let her get some sleep.
I’d bounced back and forth between her and Gwen’s rooms. My brothers were spread out between each room, keeping an eye on things. Butcher was sitting on the floor, head back against the wall, mouth hanging open as he snored.
The nurses passing by kept eyeing all the men in the area and giggling.
I had no idea how Lock had managed to convince the hospital staff not to kick them out after visiting hours were over, yet here they were.
There was no way for me to describe the emotional storm building inside of me.
These men meant everything in the world to me and knowing they were here by my side through all of this was a comfort I never thought I’d have.
I squeezed Lockout’s shoulder as I went past. He and Hush were sitting in chairs on either side of Gwen’s doorway.
Two monsters standing watch, willing to kill anyone who came for her or her kids.
Hush’s arms were folded over his massive chest and his eyes were closed, but I knew he’d be at full alert if anything were to happen.
Looking up, I saw Smokehouse and Hellfire walking toward me holding cups of coffee. I took one gratefully.
“How’s Jordan?” Hell asked.
“She’s still sleeping. I want her to rest as long as she can. They said it was a pretty nasty concussion.”
“The fact that she fought that asshole off even after sustainin’ an injury like that is damn impressive,” Hush rumbled, not bothering to open his eyes.
Pride for my old lady and her actions rushed through me. “Yeah. It is. She’s fucking perfect.”
The others chuckled, but no one disagreed with my statement.
“What’s the plan?” Smoke asked, giving me a sly look before checking to see if Lock had seen. He still thought I was going to kill Trent.
As much as I wanted to, Lockout was right. I couldn’t do that and risk being taken from my family. Not for my own sake, but I couldn’t be the cause of more trauma for them. I needed to show Sean there was another way. “I actually have an idea,” I said.
Lock’s brows shot up. “Does it involve Trent breathing at the end?”
“Yes. Unfortunately,” I added. “Though his breathing will come with some difficulty.”
“Then I trust you to take care of it. Take as many brothers as you need.”
“Smoke and Hell should do. I know most of the guys have their own old ladies to go home to, but-”
“We’re staying here until you get back or they get released,” Priest said as he walked up from behind us. “Then we’ll be wherever they go from there.”
“He’s right,” Lock replied. “We’re not leaving them alone.”
“Thank you.” The relief was nearly overwhelming. “I’m going to call Jordan’s parents, then we’ll go deal with Trent.” The last thing I wanted to do was speak to her parents for the first time and have to tell them that she was in the hospital, but it had to be done.
I went into Gwen’s room and checked on my sister. Her face was a myriad of colorful bruises. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
“You were,” she croaked, opening her eyes. “You saved Sean.”
Brushing my hand over her hair, I shook my head. “I was almost too late.”
“But you weren’t. Your girl was there for us. She’s an extension of you now,” Gwen said with a small smile. There was pain in her eyes, but I was so grateful she was still here with me.
“I love you, Gwenny. I have something to take care of, but then I’ll be back.”
Worry flooded her gaze. “Gage, don’t. Just let the cops handle it.”
“Trent will be alive to go into custody, I promise.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t say he’d be unharmed.”
“No, I didn’t.” Grinning at her, I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. I turned and found Sean watching me. We’d already talked a few times throughout the night. He was doing okay. As good as could be expected.
“Hi,” he said as I came over and sat next to him. Grace was curled up in a recliner, asleep.
“Hey, Bud. Do you still have Jordan’s cell?”
He shifted and dug in his pocket before handing the phone over. “I figured I’d watch over it for her.”
“Thanks for that,” I told him. “I’m going to call her family now that visiting hours are open again.”
Walking back out into the hall, I opened her contacts and frowned. Did I press the number entitled Dad, or Mom? Making a decision, I called her father.
“Jordan? You’re late for work. I’ve been trying to call you. Are you okay?” A man’s worried voice peppered all that at me before I had a chance to speak.
“Hello, Sir. My name is Ricochet.” There was a brief silence while he processed why his daughter’s boyfriend might be calling him instead of her, so I continued. “I don’t want to worry you; Jordan is mostly okay. There was a break in at my sister’s house and Jordan fought off an attacker.”
“Jesus. What do you mean by ‘mostly okay’, Son?”
“She has a pretty severe concussion and some bruising on her face, wrist, and legs,” I told him. “Otherwise, she’s okay.”
He blew out a calming breath. “And Gwen and the kids? Are they okay, too?”
“It was Gwen’s ex,” I told him. “I wasn’t home and he broke in and attacked my sister. She’s pretty banged up, but they’ll both be released today according to doctors. If it wasn’t for Jordan-” I broke off and swallowed hard.
“Trent is a dead man,” he growled into the phone.
I couldn’t help the grin that formed on my lips. “I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”
“The name’s Leo. Which hospital are you at?”
I gave him the name and answered a few more questions. “It’s highly likely that I won’t be here when you arrive,” I warned him.
“Good. Go take care of that piece of shit.”
“I plan to.”
Hanging up, I put the phone on Jordan’s bedside table while I checked in on her. Her beautiful eyes opened. “You’re leaving.”
“Only for a little while,” I told her, cupping her cheek gently.
“Trent?”
“That’s why I have to go.”
She frowned. “You stopped Sean from killing him.”
“Don’t worry, Sunshine. As much as I want to, I’m not killing him either. I have something much better in mind.”
She nodded in understanding. “I’m worried the cops won’t be able to hold him,” she admitted. “That she will be in more danger.”
Sighing, I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers. “I promise you, he’s not slipping through the system. Not this time. His connections are going to work against him.”
“I trust you, Ricochet. I’m so sorry that I-”
“Don’t,” I told her, silencing her apology. “We can talk about it later. When you’re feeling better. But just so you know, there’s nothing to apologize for. I owe you the apology.”
Her expression softened. “We’ll talk later.”
“I called your parents. They should be here soon to sit with you.”
“Oh,” her eyes widened, “they must be so worried.”
“I explained everything to your dad. Until they get here, Riptide, Butcher, and Toxic will be sitting with you. Feel free to ignore them and sleep,” I told her as they came into the room.
“Just no snoring,” Butcher told her with a grin.
I kissed her again and left her in the capable hands of my brothers. It wasn’t easy, but we needed to catch up with Trent before he skipped town or was able to shore up some kind of alibi.
“Do you know where he is?” Smoke asked, as he and Hell fell into step beside me.
Everyone moved out of our way, giving us uneasy looks as we walked toward the elevator. “Best place to start is his apartment. Gwen told me the address.”
“What’s the plan once we get there?” Hell asked.
“We could add a few more bruises to his face. Though, between you and Jordan, I bet he’s looking pretty worse for wear.
But I know you told Lock you weren’t going to kill him,” Smoke said under his breath as we got down to the main floor of the hospital.
The last thing we needed was people over hearing us talking about killing someone.
As it was, it’d taken hours last night before the cops had been satisfied and left.
“We’ll see what happens once we find him,” I replied. “I need the two of you to be the level headed ones today.”
“Shit,” Smoke spit out.
“Maybe you should have brought Rip and Hush,” Hell said with a laugh. “We’re not really known for our patience.”
I gave him a long look until he admitted, “Okay, fine. The two of you aren’t known for your patience. I’m a fucking saint.”
“Saint my ass,” Smoke said with a snort. “But you do have better control of your temper.”
Relaying the plan to them while I started up Gwen’s car, I shrugged. “Figure it’s worth a shot.”
“It’s a damn good plan,” Hell replied. “Let’s go catch us a dirtbag.”