35
The moment Phoenix and Aim left with Annabelle and Layla, Bronze and Badger entered my room. Bronze had been at my bedside almost as much as Layla had, but I wasn’t expecting to see Badger.
“Looking good, Copper. How’re you feeling?” Badger asked as he reached for my hand.
“Been better, but under the circumstances, I can’t complain,” I said honestly. Yes, my fucking chest hurt even with all the shit they were giving me for pain, but I was alive and my loved ones were safe.
Badger looked toward the door and motioned with his hand for someone to enter, make that two someones. “Copper, this is my Old Lady, Macy. And this little firecracker is Evelyn Carmichael.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise when my eyes landed on the woman Badger introduced as Evelyn. “She can’t be. Layla said she was in her seventies.”
Evelyn laughed, “You just might be my new favorite person, boy. Now, where’s my sweet Kayla, I mean Layla?”
“She just stepped out, but she shouldn’t be gone too long,” I told her, then gestured to the chair. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you. Wouldn’t mind standing, but this confounded hip’s making a weakling out of me,” she grumbled.
“How is your hip? Badger said you fell and broke it a few weeks ago?”
“It’s been a pain in the butt, literally. I made it all these years without ever breaking a bone in my body, but it figures when I finally do, I pick one that’s a doozy. But that’s enough about me. Tell me, how’s my girl? I’ve been so worried about her.”
“She’s had a rough go of it the past few months, but it looks like things are turning around for her. She’s going to be so happy to see you, but be careful with her. She has a couple of fractured ribs she tends to forget about,” I told her.
She grinned. “You’re telling the old woman with the broken hip to be careful with the young woman with broken ribs?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said honestly.
“I think I just might like you, Copper. Badger tells me—”
A shriek of delight interrupted Evelyn as Layla’s eyes landed on her. “Evelyn!!!” she squealed and darted for the woman.
“Broken bones!” I yelled. “Both of you have broken bones.”
With that, Layla slowed her approach, but embraced Evelyn in a fierce hug.
“Are you okay?” they both asked at the same time and then laughed.
“Oh, I’ve been so worried about you, sweetheart, but from what I hear, it sounds like you’re doing okay,” Evelyn said in a shaky voice.
Layla sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I’ve been worried about you, too. I was going to come back, but I got lost and then it snowed, and—”
“It’s okay, sweetie. Everything worked out like it was supposed to, and you’re safe now,” Evelyn said and patted her cheek.
“What happened? When you came back that day? Did he hurt you?” Layla asked.
Evelyn glanced around the room and took in her surroundings before she answered. “Maybe we should save this part of the story for another time.”
Badger closed the door to the room to give us as much privacy as possible. “Evelyn, you can speak freely in front of Copper. I’ve known him since he was a little boy, and I can assure you he’s trustworthy.” When Evelyn’s only response was to raise an eyebrow, Badger added, “He’s also a Blackwing. The President of the Devil Springs Chapter.”
Evelyn grinned and patted Layla’s thigh. “Go big or go home, right, Layla? Good for you, dear.”
Layla blushed and covered her face with her hands, but Evelyn kept right on talking. “Well, to answer your questions, I came home that day to find Travis in my house bleeding from what used to be his left eye, and you were nowhere to be found. I managed to get rid of him, but I was in a hurry to get out and look for you, and I fell down the front steps and broke my damn hip.”
“I’m sorry for—” Layla started.
“Don’t you dare apologize for what you did to him. He said enough for me to figure out what really happened. I’m just glad you were able to get away.”
“Where is your son now?” I asked. It would kill me to do it, but I would have to send the boys out to get him. I wasn’t in any shape to go hunting for the bastard, and I wouldn’t be any time soon.