He chuckled. “Love you, too, cuz.”
Sobering up, I amended my answer. “Seriously, though, thank you. For everything.”
He gave me a pointed look. “We’re family.”
“What’s going on with Toby’s case?” Hound asked, breaking up the moment before it got too mushy. “Havoc said Toby was arrested and they’re investigating, but nobody can seem to tell us more.”
Levi wandered over and sat on the built-in sleeper sofa beneath the window. “That’s actually where I’ve been all day. Turns out, Toby’s house was wired, Meals. That motherfucker had cameras everywhere.”
My stomach sank, as the meaning set in. He’d been watching me. In the bedroom, in the tub, everywhere. I glanced at Hound in time to see smoke coming out of his ears. Apparently, he’d picked up on the violation of privacy as well.
“The good news is that those cameras recorded Toby’s confession, and his mention of the reverend’s involvement. The local police are getting the feds involved. Shit’s about to get really interesting.”
Sounded like it. “Do they need anything from me?”
“I’m glad you asked.” His gaze met mine and he settled his hands in his lap. “You gave a statement about Toby, but when the feds arrive, they’re gonna need dirt on the reverend. I know you don’t want to talk about it, Meals, but there are other little girls at that compound. Little girls we can help by taking that motherfucker down.”
After sharing my story with the broad squad, snitching to the feds didn’t seem so terrifying. I nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Levi’s eyebrows shot up his forehead in surprise. “You will?”
Hound squeezed my hand. The look on his face only reinforced my decision.
“Yeah.”
Levi let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s a relief. I’m so glad you’re finally willing to deal with this shit. I can’t wait to see that shithead behind bars.” He rose to his feet. “You two need anything before I head out?”
Each of the bikers had asked us the same question. I couldn’t think of anything I needed from the others, but I did have a job for Levi. “Yes. There’s a kitten at Toby’s…”
Levi cracked a smile and shook his head. “Say no more. She’s already at the fire station. I’m pretty sure if you don’t adopt her, one of those big softies will.”
That both surprised and worried me. “Daisy’s mine,” I snapped, half-jokingly. “You tell every one of those bikers I will cut them if they try to take her.”
Levi laughed. “Noted.” To Hound he added, “Watch this one. She’s violent.”
“I like it kinky,” Hound replied with a grin.
Still chuckling, my cousin circled the bed to give me a hug goodbye before he slipped out.
“How you holdin’ up?” I asked Hound.
The nurse had tried to re-dose him with pain meds a few times, and all he’d accepted was a few ibuprofen. He had to be suffering through unimaginable amounts of pain, but he was still refusing the harder stuff.
“It’ll pass,” he assured me. “I just need to get through it. You being here makes it easier. Thank you for staying with me.”
I squeezed his hand. “There’s no place I’d rather be. Get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Saturday morning was more of the same. The entire club came to visit, and every single one of them asked if Hound or I need anything before they left. I was tired and worn down, and their kindness threatened to wreck me.
Levi was right, I didn’t know shit about family. But I was learning. The Dead Presidents were teaching me.
Hound looked a lot more alive the second day, and he said the pain had ebbed drastically. The doctor came by and checked out his wound, asking about his plan for aftercare. “Do you have anyone who can stay with you for a few weeks?” the doctor asked.
“I have roommates,” Hound replied.
The doctor chuckled. “Yes, the nurses have noticed the constant parade of bikers coming in to—”
“I’ll stay with him,” I interrupted.
