“Break the window and hot-wire it. Move it!” Chance ordered.
Boots stomped the ground around me as I held April’s hand tightly, as Chance kept pressure on her stomach. I caught him exchanging a look with Diesel, and Chance shrugged. I gritted my teeth. Chance didn’t rate April’s chances. But my girl was a fighter; she’d make it.
???
I flew with April to the medical centre. Maybe I should have called Clara, but delivering the news over a phone call was too cruel. Slaughter was already on his way to tell her and bring her to the hospital. Sailor was taking Julie in the SUV as she wasn’t critical. As soon as the chopper landed, April was whisked away from me, and I was herded to the waiting room. None of my brothers had arrived yet, so it was just me alone with my thoughts.
Attempting to distract myself, I dialled Darren Rogers and informed him that Julie had been found. The man’s sobs nearly caused me to cry as Darren stated he was coming straight to the hospital. I spotted April’s friend, Teagan, and waved her over, explaining what had happened.
“I’ll go check!” Teagan exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes.
“Wait. We’ve a kidnap victim arriving, a young woman, Julie Rogers,” I said, and Teagan stopped.
“You found her?” she gasped.
“Yes. That’s why April was wounded. The asshole who took Julie shot April. Julie’s going to need someone with empathy. Her dad’s on his way too.”
“Harlequin, I’ll deal with Julie. Wait a moment.” Teagan hurried away and returned with an older man. “This is Dr Simmons; he’s in charge of the ER.”
“Pleasure,” I said abruptly.
“Teagan has given me the bare bones. She’s planning to check on which operating theatre April’s in and will update me. I’ll contact the surgeon there and ask him to keep me updated. When the kidnap victim arrives, I’ll deal with her care with Teagan. Have the police been informed?”
“No. I didn’t…”
“Don’t worry, Teagan can inform them. Is there anything else you want?” Simmons asked.
“Just how April is doing,” I replied.
“As soon as I have an update, I’ll notify you,” Simmons said and walked away.
“Harlequin, I’m going to prep a room for Julie and get Simmons the information he requires. If you need me, ask the receptionist. I’ll tell her to fetch me immediately if you ask,” Teagan stated, and I nodded. What else could I do?
???
Darren Rogers beat my brothers by minutes. His was the first face Julie saw when she slowly entered the ER. Darren hurried to his baby girl and swept her into a tight hug. They both sobbed loudly, ignoring the peanut gallery. Teagan escorted them to a room, and Dr Simmons was summoned. My brothers milled around. Hellfire MC was used to being here for one thing or another. This time it was my girlfriend.
I wasn’t surprised when the press arrived, and I sent Lio a text warning him. My brothers chased the reporters out of the ER and held the entrances until Lio, Phil Gold, and two black-and-whites arrived. Two uniformed officers stood at the doors, keeping the media back as Lio approached me.
“How is April?” Lio asked.
“In surgery.” I didn’t bother asking how he knew.
“Margrave is in the wind,” Lio announced with a glance at Chance standing nearby. I jolted. I’d not realised Margrave had escaped.
“We don’t have him?”
“No. The asshole wasn’t at the cabin. We believe Margrave was tracking Julie, heard your bikes, and disappeared into the trees. There’s an APB out for him. If Margrave’s in the area and has lost access to his car and April’s, he’ll be seeking an escape route,” Lio explained.
“You need to find him. The asshole is beyond dangerous,” I stated.
“Ain’t disagreeing,” Lio said.
A young man entered, looking unsure of himself, and headed to the reception.
“Hi, I’m Jabari Jones. My girlfriend was brought in, Julie Rogers? Her dad called me,” he said.
“Take a seat, sir. I’ll let someone know,” the receptionist replied.
