Zephyr Chapter 21
I’d fucked up. I knew it. And Everlyn had shut down after she found out I was legitimately a doctor. Now wasn’t the time or place to explain to her why I never told her. Or what it meant that I was one, but part of the club and not a practicing doctor. The priority was to fix her.
Dr. Wheaton allowed me to take over while he stood back and watched.
First was the X-ray of her chest. It allowed us to see the amount of blood and air in the chest cavity.
I admit, I was shocked that it wasn’t far worse.
After that was finished, Dr. Wheaton brought an E-FAST machine to the bedside.
An Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma machine was an ultrasound that helped me check for fluid around her lungs and heart.
It was more defined than the regular X-ray.
There was no blood around her heart, thankfully.
Around her lungs, I noted the same small amount as on the X-ray, but this device gave me a clearer picture.
The final diagnostic equipment he had shocked me. It was a CT scanner of all things. He had money if he had one of these at his home. I wondered why. Did he see patients here? Or just people like us?
It provided me with detailed images of her chest. I traced the path of the bullet and saw the damage it caused. Somehow, it missed every other internal organ besides that lung. The bones and blood vessels were fine.
After reviewing all the results, Dr. Wheaton and I discussed what we thought was best. Based on the position of the bullet and her overall lack of significant damage, we both agreed that surgery at this time wasn’t necessary. If the projectile later moved, well, we’d deal with it then.
We informed Everlyn of our recommendation.
She made eye contact only with Dr. Wheaton and said that he was the doctor and knew best. My heart hurt being cut out that way, but I knew I deserved it.
Fenrir was across the room with Allegra.
The others were outside on watch. He gave me a sympathetic look.
Allegra gave me a pitying one. I wanted to ask her what that meant, but I was afraid to.
A new fear took me over. I was more confident that Everlyn wouldn’t die. However, I was equally confident that my omission might have ended our relationship before it even fully started. I wanted to kick myself for not telling her.
“I do need to ask, though I don’t see a scar. Have you had a similar injury in the past?” Dr. Wheaton asked Everlyn.
She frowned. “No, never. Why?”
“Because the CT scan showed a shadowing that is indicative of prior trauma to the tissue. It extended beyond where the bullet is lodged. It must be the machine. I’ll have it checked out.
“Honestly, I’m amazed at the lack of more damage. You’ll need to rest, and it’ll take time to heal fully, but I see nothing to indicate your life is in danger or that you require surgery at this time. I do recommend that you keep an eye on your health and follow up with your own physician.”
“Thank you, I’ll do that. Please allow me to pay you for your time and for the use of your equipment. Plus for keeping you up into the wee hours of the morning,” Everlyn told him.
I went to interject that I’d cover it, but he beat me to saying anything.
“You owe me nothing. I’m glad I can be of assistance to the club. I owe them. I’d like you to stay for a bit, just to be sure. If you suddenly get worse, I have the medical equipment to deal with it here.”
I knew everyone wanted to get back home, but Dr. Wheaton was right to be cautious.
Everlyn must’ve believed him, because she agreed.
The time passed slowly. She spent it either talking to Allegra in low murmurs or with her eyes closed.
I knew she wasn’t asleep. She didn’t speak directly or look at me.
I knew I was losing her. I wanted to drop to my knees and beg her to hear me out and not to leave me, but I held it back.
It was nearly dawn when Dr. Wheaton returned a final time. He had been in and out over the hours. He offered us drinks, food, and chairs. He was a perfect host, but he didn’t hover.
“I think you’re good to go. You’re doing remarkably well. Truly astonishing. You have Zephyr here to watch over you. I wish you a speedy recovery. Oh, and don’t take this wrong, but I hope we don’t see each other again.” His smile made her return it, and she chuckled.
“I’m not offended at all. Thank you so much for everything,” Everlyn replied.
There was some more back-and-forth before we left for the Suburban.
Everlyn insisted on walking. She held onto Allegra.
When we got to the vehicle, she surprised me by getting in the third row with Allegra and telling Barbarian he could sit in the second row with me.
I wanted to object and insist she stay next to me, but I swallowed it.
The two women spoke in whispers the whole drive back.
The rest of us sat in uneasy silence. I caught Fenrir’s gaze on me in the rearview mirror more than once.
I sat there, deep in thought, trying to figure out how to save my future.
I’d come so close. She accepted my past, who I was, and what it meant for us.
Surely, my omission wouldn’t be enough to break us apart.
We needed to talk, but not with witnesses.
?
The argument started when we arrived back at the compound. Everlyn insisted that she would go home with Allegra. Since she was out of danger, there was no reason for her to stay. I damn near lost it.
“Everlyn, you’re not going anywhere in your condition. You look okay, but it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since you were shot. You could have a relapse or a complication. And while Allegra can call 911, I can give you immediate care,” I argued.
“Oh, yes, that’s right. You can. You’re a doctor after all.” Her tone was icy.
“I know that you’re upset with me. I get it. I should’ve told you. But it wasn’t something I focused on. In the scheme of things, I thought it was something we’d talk about eventually.” I told her lamely.
“Like hell you thought that. You kept it secret. And I’m too tired to care why,” she replied.
“What does that mean?” I asked, though I didn’t want to hear the answer.
“I don’t know what it means, but I can’t think if I’m near you.”
Before I could beg her not to throw our future away, Raider interrupted us. We were standing outside the mausoleum.
“I hate to interrupt what will undoubtedly be a tremendous fight, but I need to speak to all of you. That includes you, Everlyn, and Allegra. It’s about our trip tonight.”
There was a sharpness to his tone that told me whatever he had to tell us, it would be a surprise. Everlyn must’ve recognized it too, because she walked into the mausoleum with Allegra without another objection. I followed along with the others who had come with us to Alabama.
When we entered the clubhouse, the place was alive with the voices of the rest of our club brothers and sisters.
They shouted when they saw us. We were swarmed as they asked Everlyn how she felt.
Then, they asked me what had been found.
Assurances were given to them, which made them settle.
That’s when the demeanor of everyone who had been waiting changed.
They became solemn. We sat at the large table where we sometimes ate together.
“Did something go wrong? Weren’t they there?” I asked, eyeing everyone. I saw no visible injuries. Everyone was accounted for.
“No, they were there. They had started the party early. They were celebrating that they killed at least some, if not all, of us. They were half drunk or high, in some cases both, when we got there,” Raider reported.
“Did you have trouble, you know, getting them to cooperate?” Everlyn asked.
I knew she was trying not to say anything incriminating in front of Allegra, but I thought it was too late to worry about that.
She’d been shot at and watched us shoot a vehicle full of bullets, killing people.
She had to know the cops weren’t called.
And we got her best friend medical attention under the table.
“We actually didn’t even break a sweat. However, that isn’t the part that we want to talk about.
It’s the guest that we brought back with us.
He had something interesting to say when we found him, and I know there’s more to it.
I thought it would be best if Zephyr heard it from him, and we’ll see if he knows anything else.
It seems he was the only one who knew the attempt wouldn’t likely work. He knows all about Aksel and us.”
This information surprised me.
“Who is Aksel?” Allegra asked.
“Someone from our past who isn’t a nice person at all. He and his followers are dangerous and vindictive. They were the ones who sent those men after us. Aksel is their charter president,” Pirate explained to her.
“What the hell are you people into? And does this mean my best friend is in constant danger?” Allegra snapped.
Her usual sweet self had been replaced by a hard-eyed woman about to go to battle.
She reminded me of shieldmaidens on the battlefield, just as Everlyn did.
I thought Allegra was the total opposite of Everlyn, but it seemed that I’d have to amend my thinking.
Some of the others gave her a surprised glance, too.
“Calm down, I’ll explain it later. So, you want Zephyr to see this guy and hear what he has to say. I presume he’s in…you know where,” Everlyn stated.
Raider nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly it. Then, whatever we find out, we’ll let you know. You can rest in one of the empty bedrooms here if you prefer to wait here. You look worn out. You need rest,” Pres told my weary woman.
“I won’t stay at the house or in a bedroom here. I will be in there, hearing this man firsthand. And before you argue and tell me I can’t, yes, I can. I’m the one they shot. I deserve to be there. And if you deny me that right, don’t bother coming to explain afterward. I won’t be here.”