Cupping her dainty hand in mine, I bring it up to my cheek. The warmth from her skin is a small reprieve, but not much.
“I’m so sorry, Wildcat. I never meant for you to get hurt or be put in the crosshairs of my enemies.” I kiss her hand over and over and then lean over and kiss her cheek. I love this woman with all my heart and would die for her without a second thought.
Wait?
Have I told her that I loved her?
Have I said those words out loud before?
“I love you, Raegan. I love you. I love you. I should’ve told you sooner, but I’m telling you now. Be brave and pull through for me. I need you in my life forever. Ride or die, Wildcat.” I keep kissing her and telling her to fight.
“She loves you too,” a voice from the hallway says, making me turn away from Raegan. Sutton’s sitting in a wheelchair with Havoc behind her is in the doorway. “When I pulled her out of the front seat, she kept moaning that she loved you.”
Her revelation brings me some comfort, but it’s short lived when Ian fucking Hastings strolls in with a team of nurses. He sees us standing around Raegan’s bed and halts his movements.
“We need to get her up to the OR for surgery,” Hastings tells us.
Placing a final kiss to her cheek and whispering I love you one last time, we watch as the staff roll her out of the room. Hastings starts to follow them, but I block him from the door.
“Nothing better happen to her in that OR, doc.” I get eye level with him.
He clears his throat and squares his shoulders to me.
“I know what I’m doing. She’ll make it,” he confidently states and then strolls out of the room.
After taking Sutton back to her room we make our way down to the waiting room where our brothers are pacing, antsy, waiting for some answers and revenge.
“Get a couple of prospects and Nomads down here. I want them lurking over every person who walks in and out of both their doors,” I order. “No one goes in or out without being checked by Melissa. The Vipers might come back to try to finish the job.”
They nod and Havoc and I fill them in on what Sutton told us. To say they’re mad is an understatement. Most of them see Raegan as the club’s queen or even a little sister not just my Ol’ Lady.
“Fuck waiting for tomorrow! Let’s go hard at them right now!” Riot argues and others voice a yes or hell yeah.
I’m all for going balls to the wall, but I also don’t want to walk us into a trap. I’ve always played it sharp, and I’m not about change that now because my woman is laid up in the hospital fighting for her life.
“We need to be wise and not play into their hands. They could be gearing up right now for an ambush,” I start, but Havoc, who is vibrating, interrupts.
“No, what we need to do is show these motherfuckers who’s boss! What if they’d gotten Raegan at the race? They’d have her right now, and we wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing about it. She’s got three holes peppering her body because of us, and I think we need to make it right.” My brothers grunt in approval. “Not to mention they killed Trick for protecting our women.”
He’s right and I know it. I’ve been holding off for too long on these assholes, and it’s time that they paid the piper. The thought of them having her sets me boiling mad. Hector already put his hands on her once, and now they’ve almost killed her. I’m in a blind rage thinking about everything that’s happened tonight. Without thinking, I stand up from my chair.
“Okay, brothers, let’s gather up the rest of the men and do this. Tonight, we end this war!”
We make our way out of the waiting room and are stopped by Melissa, Rocky, and Dad.
“You’re leaving? Raegan isn’t out of surgery yet.” Melissa looks at us confused.
I nod. She doesn’t need to know the details.
“We’ve got some things we need to take care of, but we’ll be back soon.”
Dad gives a knowing look then nods.
“Be careful, son, we’ll watch after the girls.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I pat him on the shoulder then turn to my little brother. “Stay here and keep an eye on Raegan and Sutton for me,” I say and Rocky nods several times. Bending down, I give Melissa a peck on the cheek as we all move towards the hospital exit.
Back at the clubhouse all the men go their separate ways gathering up the armor and gear we need to eliminate these roaches. Reaper orders all the whores off the property then locks us down until we’re ready to leave. Going into my room, I gather up all my ammo and guns. I change into a black long-sleeved shirt, black cargo pants, pocket my black beanie, and lace up my black riding boots. We’re going dark tonight and the goal is to be unseen. After filling my pockets with guns and ammo and strapping my knife to the outside of my ankle, I make my way back to towards our meeting room to go over the plan.
