He steps back taking a look at me. “Are you sure you’re not bleeding internally?”
“Well, I haven’t dropped dead yet, kid.” I joked with him and the grim look on his face told me I needed to stop. “She’s a fighter. Do you really think she would leave Earth without you?” he shakes his head. “There you go. Are you okay?”
It’s a loaded question, but one his aunt would ask him. He shakes his head. The boy might end up on a shrink’s couch after this.
We usher him to the couch, waiting for D.R to come back with some news, something that settles all the nerves and anxiety of this day.
It takes hours before the smoke finally settles and the night sky can be seen with the bright stars in the sky. Finn crashes beside me, laying his head against my side. D.R hasn’t come out yet and my own worry rises.
Rawlings and Jackson push through the door, with a somber look on their faces. The worst thought comes into my mind, but they hold up their hands to render me quiet. “Not here about that.” Jackson says calmly. I nod my head, not wanting to leave Finn’s side.
They come and sit with me across the couch, folding their hands.
“They fucking knew,” I whisper, trying to not wake up Finn.
They both nod. “This was some part of a trap.”
“What are we going to do?” I ask.
Jackson looks to Rawlings, debating on which one would spill the truth first. Rawlings speaks first, “We’ll wait for her to get better or wake up before we mobilize. It’s time to expedite taking back our businesses.”
“We’ve been pulling back, fearing that we were jumping too quickly. Have to go back to the way of things.” Jackson adds in.
They may have a point, since this past year we have gone soft on club business. I nod in agreement. Unleash what we have all been holding back. Cedric listens intently. I clasp a hand on his shoulder. “I need to leave. They hurt her and almost him because of me.”
“It’s not your fault. There wasn’t anything you could do.”
“Obviously things could have been worse.”
I nod, “But they didn’t. And we have to count that as a win, not a loss.”
It feels like days, but reality it’s hours before D.R finally comes in with news. He’s got a sour look on his face as he approaches us. Finn still lightly snores on my side.
“You should really let me check you out,” he says.
I shake my head, “Nah. I’m still walking and nothing a couple pain pills can handle. How is she?”
“She’s okay. Pretty banged up. She woke up for a moment, but she needed sleep. No other signs. She’s lucky with no concussion. I think you prevented that. But the amount of impact she took did give her some bruising and knots. Her body just needs rest.”
She’s alive.“Thanks, brother.”
“Anytime,” he says, slapping a hand on my shoulder, “Remember sometimes we only get one chance at love, we’ll do anything for them.”
I nod.
I love her. That scares me, it scares me that there might be a chance that I won’t have her. I look over to Finn, “Will you watch him? It’s time to make some house calls.”
“I’d ask if you want me to join, but,”
“But I'd rather you keep an eye on her if anything happens.”
“Did you call Topaz?” he asked me.
“I did and she’s still taking care of the kids and the families. She’s gotten a couple of them and is still working through the list,” I say.
“Sounds like you all need to roll out.” D.R says.
“We split up into three groups. I want everyone loaded up and ready in five minutes.” Rawlings orders out. I don’t need five minutes.
