CHAPTER 41
Scarlett moanedas she came out of anesthesia. Her head felt fuzzy, and her side throbbed.
“Hey, Sparky,” Ty softly greeted her, kissing her forehead. “You got shot on your side. The doctor said you’re lucky. It didn’t hit anything.”
“I shot him,” she mumbled. “Where’s Rocker?”
“He’s still in surgery. Rocker lost a lot of blood and punctured his lung,” he informed her.
“What about Ben?” she whispered. “Did he die? He cried out when I shot him, and then he didn’t say anything,” she told him. Tears trailed down the side of her face, and he gently wiped them away.
“He’s old enough to know better. We don’t know the whole story. He came into the ER very combative, and they gave him something to calm him and took him back to patch him up. He’ll make it,” he reassured her.
“When I pulled the trigger, I recalled what happened when Rocker pulled me from the flames. Someone attacked him. I shot a man,” she whispered shakily.
“You did your job. Rocker’s life hung in the balance. Ben gave you no choice. He hurt too many people,” Ty said firmly.
“What about Cherise? Your mom helped me. She told me where to shoot like you and Rocker. And Hank ran off,” she said, getting worked up.
Ty held her gently by the shoulders. “Mom has a whole gang of women guarding and pampering her. She can return home in a couple of days. Hank’s fine. Jake, Chase’s godfather, went to check on him. He has some superficial cuts and got a few apples from my men on the ranch.”
Scarlett sobbed. “Where’s Ice?”
“They took him to the training center to bathe him. He stayed by your side until I arrived,” Ty assured her.
A knock on the door drew their attention. Dr. Claire Meyers entered with Knight and Patch. “Hello, Scarlett. I’m happy to see you.”
Scarlett stared blankly at the two men, who nodded in his direction.
Patch approached Ty. “May we speak with Sparky alone?”
Ty waited for Scarlett to nod her approval before leaving. He stood in the hall and paced as he waited for them to finish.
“You’ve metPatch and Knight. They insisted I let them visit you. I’ll let them speak, and then we’ll chat,” Dr. Meyers said, taking a seat near the window.
Patch rubbed the scruff along his jaw. “When I came here, I didn’t have much hope. I already gave away my things and decided on an exit plan. The lady sitting over there saved my life. She made me attend those stupid meetings, and I workedout with Leo and the men. Little by little, the pain I felt lessened. It didn’t disappear, but I made my peace. My battle buddy, Whiskey, talked me down from the ledge. Now, it’s my turn to do the same for you.”
Knight stepped forward. “You may not recall, but you kept repeating you shot a man. Believe it or not, Patch serves as my battle buddy and has my six. When I came here, I screwed up my marriage because I didn’t seek help. I didn’t think my symptoms appeared as severely as they did. I believed I handled it. When, in fact, my life fell apart. I almost lost my wife, our unborn child, and myself. This team saved me. We want you to join us, Sparky, as soon as you’re healthy. You can’t do it if you don’t face your demons. We’re here to stand with you. You’re not alone.”
Scarlett swallowed. “I’m afraid of the dark,” she admitted softly. “Since I arrived here, I don’t fear it as much. Ty told me about those meetings. When I get out of here, it might help if you accompany me.”
“You got it, Sparky. We brought you a new phone. Bear programmed it and it’ll talk to you. The entire team added their numbers. When you feel better, we still need to have your interview,” Knight said, pressing the device in her hand.
“Thank you,” she said, choking up.
“I don’t know what the hell Leo may be thinking. Do you know how many redheads live on this mountain alone? He lives with three, you’d think he’d learn,” Patch teased. “Leo ducked out to pick up his son. He said to tell you this only confirms what he told you about working with the weapons.”
Scarlett grinned. “Tell him, when I get out of here, I’m challenging him to a target shoot. Ty and Rocker taught me.”
Patch rolled his eyes. “Heaven help us. Feel better, Sparky.”
The two men left the room. Dr.Meyers rose and approached her bed. “I know we see each other, and you didn’t feel the need to attend the groups. I hope this gives you a different view.”
Scarlett nodded. “Yes, I see the light. I want to have a healthy relationship with Ty. If this will keep the darkness away, I’ll be there.”
CHAPTER 42
A month later,Scarlett entered the facility with Ice at her side. Recalling the map in her head, she entered the kitchen and joined the men.
