Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,79
attention—the old man didn’t make it. As he was walking to the bar for a beer, the falling debris landed right on him. I bend down pressing my hand to his patch and exhale. “I’m so fucking sorry, brother.”
My chest squeezes remembering all the good times I had with Crow. Of all the shit he gave me. Of all the laughter we shared. He may have been old, but his time wasn’t up. Not by a long shot. Now he’s dead. Taken far too soon, and I know who’s to blame.
Rolling my shoulders, I make my way over to Hatch. It’s a somber scene as the Miami brothers gather around their fallen brother, Deep. A single bullet wound penetrates his skull. My stomach falls at the heavy loss Miami must be feeling.
I feel their loss too.
Fuck.
I slide in beside Hatch. “Fuck, brother...”
Hatch turns, glaring at me. “Tell me this shit is worth it, Nycto. Tell me this pussy is worth two brother’s lives. If you ain’t thinking of Ol’ Ladying this bitch, so help me God, I’m gonna gut you right here.”
If I said I hadn’t thought about making Eva my Ol’ Lady, I’d be lying. Maybe it’s time I made this shit official. We haven’t talked about it—not even sure if she wants the life. I’m not sure if she even understands what it means to be an Ol’ Lady, but I want this. I want her by my side. No one understands me more than Eva.
But I need her to see me.
All of me before I ask this of her.
“She’s worth everything, brother. It kills me that we both lost men today for a war I started, but, Hatch… to me, she’s worth it.”
His nostrils flare, but he grips my shoulder. “I sure fucking hope so.”
I glance at Deep. “He was a good man.”
“The fucking best.”
Silence falls over us as we all bow our heads for our fallen brother. Deep is dead because of me. He gave his life for Eva, hopefully, my soon-to-be Ol’ Lady, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. Just like Crow gave his life. He’s been a member of Tampa RBMC for longer than all of us. We’ll give him a proper send-off. An honorable death. Just like Hatch will for Deep.
My eyes shift to Hatch. “I owe you. How did you know?”
“Jameson… he gave me a kick up the ass. Reminded me of our friendship. He sent me up here to keep an eye on the club after your call to him. When we saw the swarm of men, we knew to move our asses. Though, right now, I’d like to punch the fuckin’ shit outta you.”
“Yeah, and I deserve it.”
“How ‘bout a fuckin’ beer instead?”
Dipping my chin, we turn toward the bar. Stacey’s wiping it down. “Stace, beer for Miami, and keep them coming!”
“Sure thing, Prez.”
“Gotta admit…” Hatch stands next to me, throwing his arm around my shoulders, “… that was one hell of a fight, brother.”
“Yeah, but next time I’ll come in and save your ass.”
He lifts his beer to clink with mine. “Deal. Hope your woman pulls through.”
“Me, too. I hope you understand, I need to roll out of here.”
Hatch dips his chin. “You care about her.”
“More than I ever thought possible.”
“She’ll pull through. Go. Be by her side. We’ll help with the cleanup. By the time you get back, struts will be in place for the front of the building, and it will be back in working order.”
I draw in a quick breath. “Fuck, brother…”
“Shut the fuck up. Just go.”
I exhale, dipping my chin in a gesture of thanks, then hightail it the fuck out of here.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
EVA
Three Days Later
Everything hurts. Every single inch of me aches in some way, but a gentle caress on my hand sends a soothing sensation through me. My eyes flutter open to take in Nycto. He’s tired like he hasn’t slept in days. The red rings under his eyes makes it appear like his eyes are hurting. I tighten my hand in his, making his eyes shoot up to mine.
“You’re awake?”
Sunlight streams through the giant window of Nerve’s clinic, shrouding Nycto in the brightest of light. He might seem tired, but to me, he’s glorious. I’ve never seen him so vibrant before. For some reason, he doesn’t have his sunglasses on. The light must be killing him.
“You don’t have your sunglasses on.”
His eyes shift to the window, and he lets out a huff. “Didn’t even realize it was daylight. Was too