T-Bone - L. Wilder Page 0,84
you did what you did that night. They hurt Gus and threatened to hurt more of your brothers. They weren’t good men. I know all of that.”
Hyde stepped over to her and said, “I’m gonna ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.”
“Okay.”
“What was going through your head the day you went and bought that gun?”
Surprise crossed her face. “You know about that?”
“Yeah, we both do.” Hyde’s expression grew serious and his tone was filled with determination as he said, “You might’ve turned us away, Sis, but that didn’t mean we stopped looking out for you.”
“I bought it because of Lucas. He kept coming by my work. He threatened to hurt me again, and I couldn’t let that happen.”
“What were you going to do?”
Her voice trembled as she said, “I’d kill him before I let him put his hands on me again, Clay. I—”
“I know, Alyssa. You don’t have to say any more.” Hyde reached over and took her hand. “I understand completely. We had the same thought in mind when we took care of those thugs. Right or wrong, it was a means to an end, but I need you to know, that’s a very small part of what goes on in the club. We’re not just brothers, we’re a family, and we stand by one another through thick and thin.”
Alyssa nodded, but I could see that she wasn’t completely convinced. “You remember the night we all moved you into your place?”
“Uh-huh.”
“That night is what we’re about, Alyssa. Being together. Sharing our lives with one another, and we both want you to be a part of that. We want you to see for yourself that what we’re saying is true.”
“I’d like that.” She thought for a moment, then asked, “You were there the night I pulled out my gun after Lucas showed up?”
“I was.” Knowing she was going to ask, I said, “Let’s just say, you won’t have to worry about seeing him again.”
“Oh.” I could see the wheels turning in her head. I had no idea what she was thinking, especially when that big smile crept over her face. “And here I’d been thinking that he’d run off because I’d scared him with my big, bad gun and ferocious threats.”
“Maybe, or maybe it was something else entirely.”
“I honestly don’t care. I’m just glad that I won’t have to deal with him anymore.”
We continued talking for several minutes, and while she wasn’t on board a hundred percent, I had a feeling that Alyssa was finally starting to understand all the good that the club had brought into our lives. I hoped that in time she’d realize those same benefits were meant for her own life as well, but that would take time. Thankfully, we had plenty of that on our hands. Hyde was busy catching Alyssa up on what had been going on with him and Landry when one of the nurses tapped on the door and stepped inside with a wheelchair. “Hey there, folks. There’s a little boy down the hall who wants to see his momma.”
“We can see him?”
“You sure can. Well, you and the father can go.” She pushed the wheelchair over to the side of the bed. As she started to help Alyssa up and into the chair, she explained, “Since he’s in the NICU, there can only be two people in the room, and we’ll have to give you an isolation gown to wear, along with gloves, shoe covers, and a mask. I know it’s a lot, but we want to keep our babies safe.”
“Of course.”
“I’m Katie, by the way. I’m the nurse assigned to Joshua, and I’m pleased to tell you that he’s been doing really well.” A big smile crossed her face as she said, “The little guy didn’t care for the oxygen tube in his nose and pulled it out on his own.”
“Oh no!”
“It’s a good thing. His levels have been great without it.”
“That’s fantastic news.”
“Yes, it is.” Her smile faded a bit as she continued, “We just have to get the little man to eat. So far, he hasn’t wanted the breast milk you pumped for us. If we can’t get him to take it soon, we’ll have to administer a feeding tube, but we have some time before going down that road.”
Alyssa was practically beaming as we made our way down the hall and into the NICU. The nurse gave us our protective garments to put on, and once we were ready, she led us