She gives me a sad smile and my stomach drops. “I’m sorry, she doesn’t want any friends or family seeing her yet.”
My heart is beating like crazy. I run a hand through my hair. “I need to see her. Milly, I mean it—I’ll search every room in this hospital until I find her.” I know Milly is Reaper’s sister and I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, but I’m desperate to see Sophie. She needs me and is just being her stubborn self.
Milly’s eyes soften with sympathy. “Viper, I’m your friend, but right now I am Sophie’s doctor and she’s my patient. If she doesn’t want visitors, I won’t let anyone see her.” She folds her arms over her chest and her eyes narrow. “Don’t make me get security and force you out of the building.”
My jaw tightens. I like Milly, but right now, I dislike her. “When can I see Sophie?”
Milly’s shoulders fall. “I’ll talk to her, and say that you’re here.”
I give her a sharp nod. “Tell her I’m not leaving until I see her.”
I hear a man yelling and turn to see Garrett and Sophie’s brothers by the reception desk. If Sophie sees her family before me, knowing I’m here, it’s going to slice me open.
Lawson’s eyes lock onto us and he rushes over, his brothers and Garrett close behind. “Where is she? Have you seen her? Is she okay?” Lawson asks.
I don’t even have time to answer because Garrett is at our side and asks, “Are you her doctor?” as he peers at Milly.
“I am. Are you family?” she asks in a professional tone.
He nods sharply. “I’m her father.” Then he looks at his sons. “And they are her brothers.” All have deep frowns on their faces.
“Sophie was involved in a physical altercation. She has a concussion, fractured ribs, internal bleeding, and bruises and cuts on her body from being hit.”
“Hit?” Garrett roars, making Milly jerk back. He turns to me and grabs me by the top of my cut. I shove him off me, resisting the urge to punch him once and for all. Alec and Harrison grab their father, and Bomber’s arms come around me, pulling me backward.
“If this has anything to do with you, God help you and your fucking club.” There was no mistaking the hatred in his voice, but I feel it too for the person who did this.
Adrenaline soars through me. “Don’t you ever touch me again, old man!”
Bomber pulls me further away and says, “Let’s take a walk.” I shove him off me, feeling constricted, like the walls are closing in. My fists clench and unclench. It’s like I’m going to explode. I hate feeling this out of control. We move to the waiting area, where I pace back and forth. Bomber stands by me.
“You hear that prick?” I ask Bomber. “Blaming me? Everyone I know loves Sophie. No one would hurt her.” I stop pacing, thinking back to the people Sophie sounded wary of who were out at the back of the drug house.
“What’s wrong?” Bomber asks.
I shake my head and rub my chest where it burns. “It could have been the group that was hanging around at that shack next to the store. They could have beaten her for the booze she bought… I shouldn’t have left her,” I say through gritted teeth.
Bomber grips my shoulder. “Regardless of who did it, it’s not your fault.”
Lawson and Harrison make their way over and take a seat next to us. “Sorry about that,” Harrison says. “Dad’s worried about her… We all are.”
Even though Garrett blamed me, his daughter is hurt, and if I had a daughter who was injured, I’d be stressing out too. “Don’t sweat it,” I reply.
Two police officers walk in, speak to the receptionist, and then walk past the lobby and toward where Garrett and Alec are standing. They talk to Garrett, nodding their heads, before going toward the hospital rooms, most likely where Sophie is.
“If you find out what happened before us, can you keep us updated?” Bomber asks his cousins.
“Sure,” Lawson replies.
My eyes keep glancing to the clock on the wall, then down the white corridor with endless doors. Time feels like it’s going so slowly. One hour rolls by, and I don’t stop fidgeting until I see Milly’s face again. She walks toward us, and everyone stands.
Milly looks at me. “You can come in now.” I let out a heavy breath.
“What about us?” Lawson asks.
“Viper first,” she answers him.
I follow her, but as I go past Alec and Garrett, Garrett follows us. Milly stops and looks at him. “Sophie wants to see Viper first.”
