“Shit. What the fucking hell happened?” She’s beside me, pressing a towel to my temple.
“Gary,” I say, wincing. “Tried to take Ben. Wait, where is he? Where’s Ben?”
“He’s fine, he’s right there.”
I look over and smile at Ben, sitting in his mother’s arms.
“Pip,” Dee snaps at the young man next to me. “I leave for five fucking minutes, and the world goes to shit? Did you call Spider?”
“He’s on his way.”
Dee takes my shoulder until I look at her foggily. “Jesus Christ. You okay?”
I manage a nod. “Fine… I’m fine…” Lord, my head feels like someone’s hitting it with a hammer.
“Shit, you went all hero on us, didn’t you?” She sounds something between exasperated and approving as she examines my head closely. “I think you’ll be okay, but I want Axe to look at you when we get to the clubhouse. Someone ought to bury that fucker in a deep hole.”
“Is Emma going to be okay?” Ben asks in a small, shaking voice that makes my heart feel huge.
“She’ll be fine, boo,” Penny says, squeezing him close. She looks at me, her misty eyes filled with gratitude.
“I’ll call Ruthie and tell her to come pick up Ben,” Dee says. “Bitch is always late. Here, hold this for me, Emma. You got this?”
She waits until I press the towel to my temple and nod, then she takes out her phone.
“Fucking shit reception in here.” She straightens and turns to Pip, to the door where I hear the hushed voice of a nurse. “Shit, Pip, get rid of her, we got this. We don’t need people asking questions…” Dee’s voice fades as she goes into the hall.
Pip leaves, and I hear him talking to the nurse in a surprisingly soothing, calm voice I have a feeling bikers put on when wishing to keep things hushed up.
Dee’s voice raises in the hall. It sounds as if she’s on the phone.
“Emma.” Penny’s voice gets my attention. I rise carefully from my seat, holding back a wince when my head pounds harder with the movement. Keeping the towel pressed to my temple, I walk to her side and give her a weak smile.
She pats the bed beside her. As soon as I sit, Ben lets go of his mother and launches himself into my arms.
My heart swells with affection for him. A throaty chuckle escapes as I put my arm around him, rocking him and holding him close.
“You’re okay,” he says in such a small voice that it almost breaks my heart. He draws back and I dry his tears.
“Of course I am, tough guy. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
He kisses me suddenly on the cheek and then crawls back into his mother’s embrace. Penny holds him tight and smiles at me over his shoulder. Her hand closes around mine.
“I…um…” She wipes her eyes and clears her throat awkwardly. “I don’t know what to say. You were incredible. Um… thanks.”
Feeling super awkward but grinning, I settle for a nod and squeeze her hand back. My eyes blur with tears. I open my mouth a couple of times only to close it, finding no words that seem appropriate.
“Where the fuck is she?”
Senses which had been dulled by pain and fear suddenly sharpen at the sound of Spider’s growled, rough voice down the hall.
Pip answers, but they’re too far away for me to hear his reply.
“You,” Spider rumbles loudly.
“Hey!” Pip sounds suddenly alarmed.
“Where the fuck were you when all this fucking shit was going down?” Spider snaps, right outside the door now. “Why weren’t you with her?”
“Jesus Christ, I was on the phone with you,” Pip bites back.
My heart gives a bound. I lick my lips, not daring to believe that it’s protection I hear in Spider’s voice, that it’s more than just that familiar possessiveness I know so well.
“Oh.” Spider sounds as if some of the wrath has gone out of him for a second. “Well, where the fuck was Dee during all this? If anything happens to her, Prospect, both you and Snake are gonna—”
“Fuck.” Dee’s voice rings out. “Will you two keep it down? Do you want to get thrown out?” she hisses. “She’s in here, Spider. She’s banged up, but she’s fine, all right?”
Then Spider is there, kneeling at the side of the bed in front of me. His huge hands cup my head, and as he tilts my face up, the heat of his palms seeps into me, seeming to bring me to life for the