T-Bone - L. Wilder Page 0,43
I’m sure they’re already on their way to the hospital.”
“She has to be so upset.”
“No more than the rest of us.” Eager to get the hospital, I motioned her towards my bike. “We better get going.”
I might’ve offered to drive her car, but I knew we’d get there faster on my Harley. Besides, she ridden with Gus many times, so I knew she’d be good with it. I grabbed the extra helmet from my saddlebag, and after she put it on, she climbed on behind me. As soon as she was settled, I started the engine, and we were on our way. Gus and Samantha lived in Midtown, so it took some time to get to the hospital. By the time we finally arrived, most of the guys had gathered in the ER’s waiting room. Samantha followed as I walked over to Blaze and asked, “Any word?”
“Got him stabilized, and he’s on his way up to surgery.”
Samantha looked like she was barely holding it together. “Any idea on how long it will take?”
“No, but if I had to guess, it’s gonna be awhile.” Blaze placed his hand on her shoulder. “He’s in good hands, Samantha.”
“I wish that made me feel better.” She shook her head as she tried to fight her tears. “I should’ve known something was wrong. It was getting so late, and he was just going by the diner to pick us up a bite to eat. I was really starting to worry when Bone showed up at our door. I just don’t understand how this happened.”
I wanted to tell her that we were looking into who had shot him and that we’d make them pay for what they’d done, but it wasn’t the time nor the place. At that moment, the focus needed to be on Gus and him making it through surgery. With that in mind, I said, “None of us do, but we’ll figure it out. For now, let’s try to keep a level head and wait for him to get out of surgery.”
“That’s easier said than done, but I’ll try.” Samantha took a quick glance around the room, and when she spotted August in the corner talking to Gunner and Gauge, she said, “I’ll be right back.”
Once she’d walked away, I turned back to Blaze and asked, “Heard anything from Riggs?”
“Not yet, but he’s at the clubhouse now going over the camera feed. He’ll call as soon as he knows something.”
“When we find out who’s responsible, they’re as good as dead.”
“Agreed, but for now, we’re stuck here waiting.”
I’d never been a patient man, especially when it came to the club, but at this point, I had no choice. I had to find a way to keep it together until we knew more. I gave him a nod, then went to find a place to sit. I needed a minute to clear my head, so I made my way to the back of the room and sat down. I looked around at all my brothers and their ol’ ladies, and my chest tightened as I thought back to the days when Gus first started building our Memphis chapter. He’d chosen every man sitting in that room. Even when no one else could see it, he saw the good in each and every one of us and brought us together as one solid unit. Studying each of them, I realized that there was no clear line between my brothers and the family I was born into. Like the blood in our veins, our feelings of brotherhood ran through us like a river, deep and wide, to our very core. That thought gave me a small ounce of solace. I knew with my brothers at my side we could get through anything—even this.
After several long, torturous hours of waiting, Kenadee appeared in the waiting room. She was the lead nurse on duty, so I knew she’d be the one with information on Gus’s condition. I followed Samantha and Moose as they rushed over to speak with her. Samantha was the first to say, “Please tell me he’s okay?”
“He made it through surgery,” Kenadee answered calmly, “and he’s holding his own right now.”
“But?” Samantha pushed.
We all listened silently as she admitted, “His wounds were extensive. He lost a lot of blood. The bullet that went through his abdomen grazed his liver and spleen. The doctor removed his spleen and stopped the internal bleeding. His head wound is a different matter. It will be days, maybe even weeks before