“Okay,” he whispers as she wraps her arms around my neck and lays her head against my shoulder.
As we walk through the line-up of brothers, each of them presses a hand to their hearts while bowing their heads.
“What are they doing?” she whispers, her voice a little slurred.
“Respecting you. Honoring you. Loving you without overwhelming you.”
“Really?” The disbelief in her voice hits us all hard.
“Yeah, chestnut, really.” Her eyes flutter closed as she drifts off, the back-to-back seizures wiping her out.
As I get to the end of the line, Dice steps forward. “I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
“We’ll keep traffic out of the way,” Hoops states as he and Powers step forward, their eyes on Delphi.
None of them were here when everything went down. They didn’t know any of the players or Delphi back then. But they hurt for her, like the rest of us, because nobody should have to endure what she has, especially at the hands of a man who professed to love her.
I nod but keep walking as they fall into step beside me. None of us speaks. None of us needs to. But their presence is a reminder for Delphi that no matter what lies ahead, this time, she won’t be facing it alone.
When we make it to the hospital, it’s by sheer luck that we’re seen by the doctor we saw before. When he catches sight of her unconscious in my arms, he snaps the nursing staff around him into gear before using us to get her into a room. I lay her downon the bed and explain to him what happened. I planned to lie my ass off, but instead the truth comes out. Well, most of it. I realize there are probably a bunch of tests that she should have, least of all screening for STDs.
“Tell me this asshole is in jail. Tell me they all are.”
“They’re dead.”
He opens his mouth but shuts it again when he sees the expression on my face. “Good. I’m tired of seeing good people get fucked over while men like that walk away scot-free every time.”
I eye him and make a mental note to bring him up with Havoc. Not sure the doctor would be interested in helping the club, but he seems less judgmental than others. Until we can get something more permanently sorted, we need someone. Hell, today we had Delphi’s seizures, Legs going into labor, and Blade with what we thought was a heart attack.
“Shouldn’t she be waking up now?”
“Her body is doing just what it needs to—resting. Epilepsy aside, this woman’s body has been under an immense amount of strain lately. It fought hard to keep her alive. I’m more worried about the mental toll it’s taking.”
“I’ll see if I can get her to talk to someone.”
He looks up at me, surprised.
“I want her happy and healthy. I’ll use every tool in my arsenal to make that happen.”
“You’re a good man, Kruger.”
“I hope I’m good enough because she doesn’t just need someone to weather the storm with her. She needs someone to shield her from it. I’ve let her down so many times.”
“Then learn from your mistakes. Instead of falling down, step up.”
“Just like that?”
“Is she worth it?”
“Fuck yes,” I answer without hesitation.
“Then yes, just like that.”
I walk over to the bed when she stirs, her eyes fluttering open for a few seconds before clarity returns.
I lean over her, taking one of her hands in mine as the doctor walks closer.
“Hello again, Miss Anders.”
