“You should still be in bed, pixie. Tank is pissed,” I choke, her pain becoming my pain.
“I-I know I should-shouldn’t have given his number out b-but I had t-to see him, Ty,” she cries quietly, and I press my lips against her head as my tears fall.
“I-I feel like I can’t breathe…” She sobs, and I hold her tighter and murmur, “I have you, pixie, I’ve got you.” meaning every fucking word.
Day in, day out, this woman will see that she will always come first, that our children will always be safe, and I will never, fucking never hurt her like I did again.
I’ll prove to her we’re worth fighting for, that I’ll never leave her, never let her leave me.
She’s my forever, and I just need her to see that I’m hers too.
Chapter 27
Ashley – A Week Later
I chew my nail as I look at the door, my heart completely torn, my head unable to come around to the idea that I’m being discharged today. Yet, my baby, my son, who is just under four pounds now, is staying.
It feels so wrong.
I have to leave him because, apparently, moving to the NICU with him is not permitted. Yes, I’m woman enough to admit I tried to use the club's name to get my way. I mentioned that three club members work at this hospital and that the club raises thousands for them, and all the doctor could say was that it wasn’t fair to the other parents.
Jackass.
Okay, so he wasn’t really a jackass, and he was sweating bullets when I brought the club up while Tank and Doc tried to keep their laughter in, but still...
I don’t want to leave him.
A few tears fall and I quickly wipe them away, the TV the only noise in the room as I sit in a wheelchair and wait for a brother to come pick me up. Which one, I don’t know, Tank said he’d sort it or something when I mentioned calling an Uber. I’m pretty sure he’s only sorting it because he knows I’ll camp out in NICU.
I don’t think Tyler is aware I’m being discharged unless Tank spoke to him. I haven’t talked to him much this past week. Barely even looked his way which I know he kind of doesn’t deserve but everything that has happened in the past three years is on a continuous loop in my head, forcing me to pull further away from him.
I think he’s more in tune with me than I realize, than I want to realize and I know the brothers want us back together.
I sigh as I run my hands through my wet hair.
The nurse helped me shower, something I desperately needed, and I definitely didn’t want Tyler helping me. Now I want to see Tyson before leaving but I have to wait for whoever is going to come and get me. Apparently it’s hospital policy that I have to stay in this goddamn wheelchair until I’m out of the doors.
I hate that I’m relying on the brothers, the men who I thought were my family. Don’t get me wrong, I understand their bond as brothers, I know the patch and what it represents. I really fricking do, still, I grew up with them. They became the family I didn’t have when mine turned their backs on me because I chosetheirbrother. And not one hadmyback.
Truth be told, I miss him, I do, I’ve been missing him since I left him which is why before the attack had happened. I was slowly giving him a chance without meaning to, but now that I’ve had time to think I don’t know.
“Breaking news interrupting your program. The search for Natalie Claims after Clark’s Convenience store on Paul’s street was caught on fire and she had disappeared has been closed, a statement by the Chief of Police has been released...”
I look at the TV, hearing Nat’s name, bringing me out of my messed-up head where my husband is concerned. I frown as Chief Police Mayers enters the screen, his gray hair slicked back and he stands behind a podium.
“After the initial report of Natalie’s disappearance, new evidence has come to light,” he begins, “While the body inside the store has been confirmed as Natalie's, CCTV footage has been received by our department showcasing her involvement in the attacks on women, several of whom are still missing.”
Holy crap.
My eyes widen as my mouth parts in shock and horror as a picture of Natalie and Michael pop up on the screen.
“After an autopsy, it was determined Ms. Claims did not succumb to the fire. She was shot in the head, and it has been determined as an attack due to her connection with the missing women. Michael Nations is also wanted by police for his connection with Ms. Claims, CCTV showing him as the last person to have any contact with her.” Chief Meyers states, “I will stress, Michael is considered dangerous, so please, if you see him, do not approach and call the number below, thank you.”
Holy shit. How on earth did Dirty manage to tamper with the CCTV?
“Chief, Chief?!”the reporters all call, and I turn the TV off in complete shock, not really knowing what to think.
Michael was already caught by the club, so he couldn’t have killed Nat, meaning…
