“Where’s Boner?” Grinder looks over his shoulder at me, then Parker, then back to me. “I swear to fuck, he better be alive.”
“Spencer, I need you to keep this gentleman calm so I can take this bullet out of his glutes.”
“He’s fine, G. Well, I don’t know if he’s fiiiine per se, but he’s alive. Nobody’s covered his face up with a black plastic bag, so we’re good.” Unbelievable.
“I’ll go check.” I say, raising my hands in surrender like Grinder is some kind of wild animal and I’m just the guy trying not to get myself killed. This is so not normal, the thought running on repeat in my brain.
On my way, Hoops calls out, and when I turn around, I see the worry in his eyes. Two of his men are in the hospital and ultimately, this is on him.
“Grinder’s fine. He apparently got shot in the…ass.” Hoops takes a physical step back, one hand against his mouth, trying really fucking hard not to laugh.
“The ass?”
I nod. “Yes,” I add, just in case he missed it.
“And Boner?” The smile on his face vanishes, the worry swimming in his blue eyes.
“I’m on my way to check on him now. Wanna join?” Parker shoots a hand out from between the curtains and I grab it, giving it a squeeze. I didn’t realize she was so touchy feely but I love it.
Once we reach station five, I notice the blood, the gauze I had used in the car on the way here, but mostly, the empty bed. It’s not necessarily bad. In fact, chances are he’s in surgery. If he’d died, they would have just covered him with a white sheet.
“Hey, Maggie, where did the patient go?” Please don’t say downstairs. Please don’t fucking say downstairs.
“He’s in surgery. The carotid was hit. Just a little, but hit nonetheless.” Fuck.
“What does that mean?” Hoops asks, but his attention is on me. Maggie pats me on the arm and jogs away to another patient.
“It means that they needed the O.R. to make sure they had all the tools on hand. Blood loss and surgical equipment to sew it all back up.” Hoops nods. It sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? “The fact that his carotid didn’t get completely severed and Grinder was there to contain some of the blood loss helped, but it’s still dangerous.” Again, Hoops nods, but I can tell it’s taking a toll on him. And I’m not even telling him the risk of brain swelling or worse: coma or death.
“Thanks.”
He’s about to walk away when I call him back. “Hoops?”
“Yeah?”
“Parker ordered some food. Do you mind letting us know when it’s here? She needs some protein before the adrenaline levels crash. No telling what’ll happen then.”
“On it. I’ll send the others home. I think Psycho wants to be with his old lady.”
I smile. Aleko maybe a crazy fucker, but he’s the most incredible husband Mac could’ve ever dreamed of.
“Yeah, it’ll be awhile.”
So much for telling everyone to go home. Turns out, they’re all in the waiting room looking like a bunch of degenerates with big hearts. Except Mac. She looks fucking amazing.
And Boner’s mother. She sits in the center and we all surround her, giving her our strength as she crochets sleeping beds for the pet rats. She started as soon as she arrived three hours ago. It’s a good thing she knows most of what happens in her son’s club or else we all would’ve had to lie to her. I can’t think of anything worse.
Parker and I came here after Grinder fell asleep, the pain meds taking effect a couple of minutes after being administered. He needed blood. The ride back from the outskirts of Silver City was enough to bring him to dangerous lows. Parker thought it would be better to be surrounded by family. I agreed, even though leaving Grinder behind hurt my heart a little.
“I can’t believe you sneaked in Ninja and Bandit.” Everyone scoffs at Mac’s comment. As if anyone could stop her husband from doing whatever he wants. She yawns, leaning her head on Psycho’s shoulder while he holds Gryffin, who’s busy drinking from his bottle. With big blue eyes travelling all around,assessing the familiar faces, he clutches his breakfast like he’s ready to throw down if anyone comes for it. Meanwhile, Ninja is curled up on the baby’s stomach, moving up and down with every breath he takes.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Psycho turns to Mac, a frown marring his features.
“Um, because…it’s a hospital?” She’s cute believing he would give a shit.
“And? They’re our children.” Psycho can’t see her but she rolls her eyes so much I’m worried she might hurt herself. “I saw that.”
“You’re full of compost.” It’s my turn to roll my eyes. Their pact to not curse in front of the baby is getting ridiculous.