“Are you heading to the hospital?” Nanci asked.
“Yes.”
“Here, I’ve prepared trays for those there. Take Joe and Rory with you, they can carry them up to the ward,” Nanci said.
This was why I loved her. Nanci thought of everyone else before herself. Nobody else would have considered food for the people at the hospital.
“Get the prospects to follow me in the SUV,” I replied, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“Will do,” Nanci answered and bustled away. She’d only had a few hours’ sleep but would keep going until she dropped. Nanci was the best possible woman for the role of Queen Bee.
“Fucked up,” Daisy-Duke muttered to Lasher as I passed.
“What ya do now?” Lasher demanded resigned.
“Told Nanci off for hugging Scythe. Said it was inappropriate, and she tore me a new one. I snootily informed her that Inglorious wouldn’t like her embracing other men. Nanci snarled at me that Scythe had discovered the bodies of two little kids and was upset. Screwed up, Lasher.”
“Oh yeah, babe, you did. Apologise later and get her something nice, Nanci will appreciate it,” he said.
I shook my head at Lasher. Nanci understood how to hold a grudge, and this one would sting. What none of them knew was that Scythe had taken Nanci’s virginity over a wild weekend they’d spent together when Inglorious had rejected her. I suspected Inglorious had guessed because Nanci and Scythe were close.
Lasher rolled his eyes over Daisy-Duke’s shoulders as she burrowed into his chest. He understood Nanci. She was like Psych in that respect. And that brother not only knew how to hold a grudge, but nurse it, too.
Determined to leave the drama behind, I headed for where our Hogs were. We had a private area just for the club. Any guests would have parked in the public parking lot outside of town. Hitting my Hog made me instantly relax. There wasnothing like being on the road with the wind in your face and the vibration of the bike under you. It was total freedom.
When I arrived at the hospital, the cops recognised me and let me through. The crowd had doubled since I’d left this morning, and I felt bad for the family members coming and going. On my way in, I spotted Drew. He was talking to some uniformed officers.
“Okay?” I asked.
“No. Some fuckers tried to get in. Two relatives brought them down before they snapped pictures.”
“Got into the ward?”
“Yeah, dressed as orderlies. Your girl’s father noticed something was wrong and tackled them.”
“Damn.”
“The Feds have taken over everything, but we’ve got locals on the doors. I’ll escort you up,” Drew said.
“Have you slept?”
“No. The hospital offered me a space to crash. I’m way too tired to drive. I was about to snatch a couple of hours before heading back home.”
“Okay, get me in and then sleep. That’s an order, Sheriff.”
Drew smiled tiredly. The man looked as if he were sleepwalking. “Ain’t a member of your club, Vortex.”
“Nope, but I’m still one of your bosses,” I retorted. “We’ve got Joe and Rory bringing in food for the families. Can you get them in?”
Drew opened his mouth to object and stopped. He couldn’t argue; I was his boss, and he knew it. He spoke to the guards at the door, who nodded before we took the elevator to Amy’s floor. As we approached the ward, the uniforms stared us down before they recognised Drew.
Briefly, he informed them about Joe and Rory, and then he let me in and wandered away. I hoped Drew got some sleep.Poor fucker certainly needed it. As I entered, both Duke and Phil came to attention before they saw it was me.
“Didn’t expect to see you again,” Duke muttered.
“Wanted to check how Amy’s managing and see if there’s any update on Declan.”
“Declan was rushed into emergency surgery. His spleen ruptured; it had been missed in his exam,” Phil said, and I stiffened and glanced around. Declan lay in his bed playing with the fire truck I’d bought him.
