“Very tired and a bit tender.”
“You’re on pain medication, which can make you sleepy.”
“Take a seat beside me,” Sophie says to me and looks down at the bed.
My eyes roam her bruised face and body and the bandages on her arms. “I can’t sit next to you. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We’re moving you to a private room, which has its own amenities and another bed for a visitor to sleep in,” the nurse says. Being rich has its advantages.
“Thank you,” Sophie replies.
“I’ll have someone wheel you there now.” The nurse turns to me. “You go to the waiting area, and I’ll come and get you when she’s all set up.”
“I’ll see you soon,” I say to Sophie, though it pains me to walk away.
While walking down the corridor, I call Lawson. “Hey, she just woke up.”
“Thanks. How is she?”
“Still tired. They’re transferring her to the private room now, so I’m just waiting.”
“I’ve spoken to my family, and we’ll be there tonight. I’m just warning you, Dad’s still on the warpath, so you may not want to be there when we arrive.”
“Does he know who it was?”
“Not yet… why do you ask?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving Sophie’s side. If your father wants to talk to me, you tell him to do it outside the room. I’m not having it upset Sophie.”
He sighs. “I’ll try. I’ll see you tonight.”
Bomber and Zara make their way to me. “We need to have a meeting to discuss everything that’s gone down,” says Bomber.
I shake my head. “It can wait. I’m not leaving her.”
Zara puts a hand on my arm. “I’ll stay. You go have your meeting, have a shower, and pack some clothes, and then you can stay here for as long as you want.”
There’s an ache in the back of my throat. I don’t want to leave Sophie.
“I’ll be by her side until you arrive. I promise.” I can’t speak, so I nod at Zara.
I leave with Bomber. When we walk into the clubhouse, everyone’s by the bar. Elena and Ava rush to me. “Have there been any changes?” Ava asks.
“Apart from looking like she’s been hit by a truck, she’s in high spirits.”
The women give me a sad smile. “We’re here for you,” says Ava.
“Church,” Bomber shouts.
The men and I make our way into church. I take a seat beside Reaper, who is at the head of the table. I feel the men’s stares, the sympathy in their eyes.
“First,” Reaper says, “I want to say we are saddened to hear that Sophie was injured.”
“Thanks, pres,” I reply.
“Do you want to give the club a rundown on what happened?”
“Sure,” I reply, as dread rolls my stomach. Being a burden weighs heavy on my shoulders. “Two men and two women attacked Sophie, brutally beating her. I found out one was Candy and the rest were her friends.”
