I answer as many as I can, and when they’re done, they inform me I need to go and make an official statement when I can. They’re kind to me, and I appreciate that because it has been hard enough as it is. Once they’re gone, Travis and I rush to the hospital. I race down sterile corridors, white lights blurring overhead. I skid to a stop at the reception Chief messaged me that he would be in.
He’s there, standing, his arms crossed, head dropped.
“Dad?” I whisper,
His head shoots up, and his eyes go to Travis, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Where is she?” I say, holding my breath.
“Surgery. Had to repair some internal damage. Won’t know how bad it is until they’re done.”
I stumble into his arms and hang on, so tight I wonder if he can even breathe.
“Was it... Demon?” I ask, pulling back.
Chief’s jaw tightens. He glances at Travis, who still hasn’t said anything. Chief closes his eyes. “I think so.”
“Then she isn’t safe,” I say, my eyes wide. “She needs to get out of here.”
He runs his hand over my forehead, swiping some hair away. “So do you, Violet.”
I go quiet, and my world spins.
What if... what if it wasn’t Demon.
What if it was Jeremy?
I bite my bottom lip, staring at my feet. “What if it wasn’t Demon?”
Chief looks confused. “Ain’t nobody else it could be.”
“That’s not true,” I whisper, and then look up to meet his eyes. “It could be Lillian’s brother, Jeremy. He, ah, is back in town and has threatened me.”
Chief’s eyes widen and his nostrils flare. “What the fuck? What do you mean he threatened you?”
I tell him everything, about how Jeremy wants to put me away for manslaughter and how Travis is helping me with a good lawyer.
He glares at Travis. “You fuckin’ knew?”
Travis crosses his arms. “Yeah, I did, and I fuckin’ made sure she stayed safe.”
“What about her fuckin’ mother? She ain’t safe, is she?”
“Enough,” I snap, glaring at Chief. “What happened to Mom was not his fault and you will not blame it on him. It’s just as likely it is linked to the club and then it’s on you. So quit it.”
His jaw loosens a bit. “Sorry, baby. You’re right, it ain’t on any of us. We gotta figure out who did this. Until then, we need protection on all of you.”
Before I can protest, Chief’s phone buzzes. He steps away, voice low: “Brother, we’ve got a problem.”
I need space.
I slip outside into the night, cold air biting through my jeans. I sit on the curb, knees pulled to my chest, praying she survivesher surgery. I finally understand why she ran all those years ago—she was paying a price for crimes she never committed. This biker world is a brutal place where fear is the only currency. It makes so much more sense now.
About an hour later, Travis finds me and kneels beside me. His gentle voice breaks my spiraling thoughts. “Doctor just came out. She’s out of surgery. She is doing well. You can go see her.”
I leap to my feet and race back inside, raw fear propelling me down the halls. I burst into the room the nurse leads me to. Chief stands at her bedside, his hand curled firmly around hers. My mother’s face is pale, eyes fluttering open and focusing on me. She’s drowsy and has tubes everywhere, but I know the moment she recognizes me because her expression changes.
I rush over, reaching down gently and curling my arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Momma.”