Page 27 of Road to Absolution

Who could scare these deadly bikers?

I looked to Art, who was now next to Diesel. He watched me with wonderous blue eyes that had captivated me once upon a time. Because my heart undeniably chose another, Art and I had stayed apart. Now, fate was demanding we reconnect, but in a different way.

Since faith was all I had left, and what I hoped would give me my Maverick back, I accepted any lesson God wanted me to learn. I would’ve done anything to have my husband back. Even if not the same. Even if he were scarred from head to toe…

My heart throbbed with a deep ache. Scarred. Irrevocably marked. Seared. Someone leaving such a fingerprint on your soul… that you have forever been labeled his.

Arms tightening around the bag smashed to my chest, I groaned, “Maverick. Please.” I couldn’t control the sudden pain. It was as if terror had his soul blowing through mine.

I suddenly felt woozy.

I guess I fell into someone because a chair was rapidly being offered, as well as a cup of water. Carefully taking a sip of the water, I sat down to try and collect my shattering heart. I didn’t stand again until my dad came running into the hallway. He had been parking his truck after dropping us off at the door.

Needing his stability, I jumped up, rushing forward. “Daddy.” Holding the bag, I fell into his chest. “Maverick.”

He wrapped me and the damaged clothes tight in his strong arms. “Oh, my baby having a baby.” He nervously kissed my head, over and over. “You keep breathing. That sonofabitch won’t leave you. He loves you like I loved your mama.”

I broke into a sob. I didn’t want to be like my dad, burying a soulmate. Yet, Maverick had already technically died once tonight. Was there a chance it would happen again? Was there a chance it would not?

“Shhh…” He rocked me. “Shhh…”

Finally breathing again, Venom, Diesel’s Sergeant at Arms, whispered to him, “Escort says Tuck’s here with Bailey.”

Trying to compose myself, I dabbed under my eyes, hoping to not look as terrified as I was. Bailey, Maverick’s little sister, needed me to be strong for her. I had every intention of being just that. But when Tucker came to us, carrying the sweet angel, her little legs holding tight to his waist, with her brother’s hazel eyes and adorable dimples, my knees almost gave out. The sight of Peanut, who Maverick loved more than life, had me petrified to try and live without him.

Children are so brave…

Refusing to leave her uncle Tucker’s arms, Bailey touched my face. “Delilah, don’t be scared. My brother promised never to leave me like my daddy did. That means he won’t leave you, either.” Her hand moved to press against my belly. “And he loves my niece. He loves us, Delilah.”

My throat closed, but I still managed, “Yes, baby. He loves us.”

Eventually, Chains, Diesel’s Vice President, whispered to him, “She’s being brought in.”

Seeming to know what that meant, Tucker immediately guided Bailey’s head to his shoulder. The smart little girl hid in his neck as her mother was wheeled in on a stretcher. Kenny hadn’t been the only one needing sedation that night. That poor woman broke with the news her son was in a horrible accident, just like her husband had been. Losing her husband almost killed her. Losing her son was a death sentence she couldn’t face. That’s why Tuck had gone to get Bailey. A sheriff had warned them Mrs. Hutton was in a bad way.

Mrs. Hutton… I was now a Mrs. Hutton, too.

I instantly begged God not to give me her same fate.

Her pain was my pain.

Watching that strapped-down woman trying to reach for her child, I pushed my dad toward her, asking him to stay with her, while muffling a sob that broke free from deep in my soul. I didn’t want Bailey to hear me crying. That’s why, when I felt a chest I knew well at my back, I spun into it and accepted the compassion.

Art held me and Maverick’s boots as Viola embraced me from behind, doing her best to stop her own tears that wanted to rage like Niagara Falls. It all felt so unfair. I wanted to scream at the cruelty of a situation I had no control over but had no time. A sudden cramp in my stomach had my legs faltering and me grabbing my side, hissing with pain, doing my best not to drop my husband’s belongings.

In a swoosh, I was lifted into Art’s arms, everyone around us going into a panic. He quickly faced the nurse’s station, but Diesel’s friend, the doctor, was already rushing toward us.

She said, “This way.” Then briskly walked toward the end of the hallway.

Passing Tucker, who was still holding Bailey, I saw his expression was filled with sorrow. I knew he wanted to be by my side, but little Bailey needed him more. She loved and trusted her uncle Tucker. Every other family member she had was now being checked into a hospital.

I told him, “Stay with her. That’s what Mav would want.”

He nodded. He was pale, but he nodded.

Opening a curtain, the pretty doctor told Art, “Lay her there.”

While being set down, guilt had me saying, “I don’t want attention from Maverick.”