"Have you known? The whole time?"
"They told us after the surgery. That there was spinal damage. That we wouldn't know the extent until you woke up." He runs a hand through his hair. "We've been waiting three weeks to findout if you'd ever open your eyes again. The legs were—they were secondary."
A beat of silence. Then I ask the question I've been avoiding. "Where's Valentina?"
His expression shifts. Something complicated passes across his face.
"On her way," he says carefully. "She's been—she went out last night. To the Vipers."
Ice floods my veins. "What?"
"Talia's with them," Zay says quickly, seeing my reaction. "Valentina went to try to get her back."
"Alone?" My voice rises despite the pain it causes in my chest. "You let her go to Viper territory alone?"
"We didn'tlether do anything," Zay says firmly, meeting my eyes. "She's been running this club for three weeks while you were out. She made the call. Asher went with her as backup."
"Is she—" I can't finish the question. Can't voice the fear that's clawing up my throat.
"She's fine. Physically," Zay says. "She came back about two hours ago." He pauses, jaw working. "But something happened. She won't talk about it. Came back looking—" He shakes his head. "Something's wrong, X. I don't know what but something's very wrong."
The need to see her, to confirm she's okay, to hold her, is overwhelming. "Bring her here," I say. "Now."
"That's why I'm here," he replies, standing. "She's downstairs with Asher. I wanted to check on you first. Make sure you were—" He gestures vaguely. "Ready."
"Ready for what?"
"She's been through hell," Zay says quietly, seriously. "Keeping this club together, dealing with the members who didn't think she should be in charge, worrying about you, and now whatever happened at the Vipers last night. She's barely holding it together."
"Then bring her up," I say again. "Now."
He studies me for a long moment, like he's trying to read whether I'm strong enough for this. Then he nods. "Alright. But X? Go easy on her. Whatever questions you have, whatever you want to know about what happened while you were out—it can wait. Right now she just needs to see that you're okay."
He leaves before I can respond.
I'm alone with the machines and the too-bright lights and the hollow space where my legs should be working. I try again—focusing all my attention on my right foot, willing my toes to move.
Nothing.
Just emptiness and the faint, phantom sensation of limbs that won't obey.
The door opens again. Asher this time, looking like he's been to war and back—tactical vest still on, weapons visible under his jacket, hair disheveled.
"Boss," he says, and relief washes across his face. Real, unguarded relief. "Good to see you conscious."
"Wish I could say the same about this situation," I mutter, eyeing his gear. "You going to war or coming from one?"
"Little of both," he says, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His usual casual stance, but I can see the tension in his shoulders.
"How you feeling?" he asks.
"Like I got shot three weeks ago and woke up in a nightmare," I reply. I look at him directly. "Zay said Valentina went to the Vipers last night. That you went with her."
"I did," he confirms.
"What happened?"
His expression goes carefully blank—that look he gets when he's deciding what to tell me and what to keep to himself. "That's her story to tell."
