The door opens and I step toward it, holding my breath. Viper stands, and we all wait for the doctor to speak.
She scans us. When her eyes land on me, she says, “I’ve stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wound. Because of the location of where the bullet is lodged, I’m unable to remove it.”
Worry widens my eyes. “So you’re leaving the bullet inside of him?” I ask, dumbfounded.
Her shoulders fall an inch. “Yes, I don’t have all the surgical equipment here, and even if I did, removing the bullet can cause additional health issues and damage. In my medical opinion, it’s not worth the risk.”
I turn to Bomber. “Do we need to get a second opinion?”
She snorts, but I don’t know her, and I want the best for Reaper.
Bomber’s lip twitches as he looks at her and back at me. “Ava, meet Milly... Reaper’s sister.” He looks at her. “Milly, this is Reaper’s woman, Ava.”
My stomach sinks at how rude I was. I turn to apologize, but a smile has brightened up her face.
She leans in like she wants to hug me but stops when she looks at my clothes and hands. “It’s a shame my brother didn’t introduce us under better circumstances, but I can’t tell you how happy I am that he’s found someone.”
The sincerity in her voice has me holding back tears, but I blink them back.
“We will need to talk later,” she whispers to me, then looks around to everyone again. “He should wake up within the next few hours.”
“Can I see him?” I blurt out. There’s this desperate need to check for myself that he’s alive.
Her hand comes out onto my arm. “Go have a shower. He’s okay,” she says slowly. “Then you can spend as much time as you want with him.”
I suck in a sharp breath. Every part of me silently screamingno. An arm comes around my shoulders, and I look to see Elena.
“Come on, I’ll get your clothes ready, and you can come straight back.”
Milly gives me a reassuring smile. “He’s going to be out of it for a while. You’re not missing out on anything.”
“O-kay,” I answer reluctantly and walk toward the bathroom.
After I scrub my hands and arms of Reaper’s blood and finish my quick shower, I get changed into the clothes Elena left and run into Reaper’s room. The men are all stationed around him, except Bomber and Viper, who I assume have left to have showers too. As I step toward the end of the bed, I see Reaper still sleeping.
“Has he woken up yet?” I ask no one in particular.
“Not yet,” Twitch answers. “I think he’s been waiting for you.”
At first I smile, but then my eyes narrow. “Where have you been?” All the men were here, except him. I want an explanation.
Axle chuckles. “She’s onto you,” he says to Twitch.
“I was here,” he responds quickly. “Helping Milly during the operation.”
“Yeah, because you want to bang her. You’ve got a death wish, I’m sure of it.”
The men are laughing when Milly walks into the room.
“Shut the fuck up, Axle,” Twitch grits between his teeth as the men laugh harder.
I shake my head at them and move to Reaper’s side. I crawl over to him on the bed. Bomber walks into the room, his eyes going straight to Reaper, then me.
“Everyone downstairs. Give Ava some time alone with Reaper. Milly, come and get us once he wakes up.”
When it’s only Bomber remaining, I say, “Thank you.” He turns and gives me a small nod before he leaves.
Milly sits next to me on the bed. “Before you lie down, let me look at you. I’m not having Reaper wake up and then curse at me for not looking after his ol’ lady.”
