As soon as Nurse Sanchez sees me, she offers me a sad smile.
“She’s in with him now,” she says softly.
“Did he suffer?” I ask quietly.
“I did everything I could to keep him as peaceful as possible,” she says.
I nod. “Thank you.”
One of the men stands and walks to me, hand out. “I’m Steven Mitchell, from Mitchell Funeral Home. I’ll be transporting Mr. Wilson to our facilities per his request.”
I shake his hand.
“I appreciate it. Our brothers are on their way, so we are going to be a while, though, if that’s all right.”
The man nods. “Of course. Take your time.”
Pulling away, I head down the hall. My heart races and my throat goes dry as I brace myself for what I’m about to find.
When I step into the room, my heart breaks. Rain has her head lying next to him, her hand on his chest. For a second, I watch as her body shakes in tears.
“Rain,” I rasp.
Slowly, she lifts her head, her red, swollen eyes meeting mine.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, sounding confused by my presence.
I walk over to her and crouch down next to her. Without thinking about it, I pull her into my arms. Her face falls into the crease between my shoulder and my neck.
“He’s gone,” she chokes out.
When her tears hit my skin, I close my eyes and will mine not to fall. For the first time in years, Rain and I set down our swords. We don’t fight, we don’t yell, nothing. We just sit in the silence, knowing a man we both love is gone.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
I hold her as she mourns her father. My eyes dart over to the man in question.
If I didn’t know any better, I would say that he was sleeping. His face is sharper than it’s ever been, his complexion all wrong, and his beard is thinner than ever. Yet, the corners of his mouth are kicked up, almost as if he’s smiling, like he was happy during his last moments on earth.
The sound of bikes coming down the street makes Rain’s breath catch.
“Who called them?” Rain asks as she pulls back.
I fight the urge to pull her back into my arms as I watch her wipe away her tears.
“The nurse called Panther. Everyone is coming over.”
Rain nods as her voice shakes. “That’s what he wanted.”
Rain stands on shaky legs and moves into the hall to make room in the bedroom. I follow behind her, sticking close to her side.
Rain would never admit when she needs help, or when she needs a minute alone, but I’ve watched her enough over the years to know the signs. I stick close, just in case she needs me.
I watch as my brothers, one by one, greet her, pulling her into hugs and murmuring condolences to her before heading into the room to say goodbye to our brother.
Only when Aspen and Maggie step into view does her composure crumple.
“Oh, Rain,” Maggie says softly as she pulls her into a hug.