“Are they okay?”
“I know they’re alive, that’s as much as I can tell you right now. Here, drink some of this. Sip it because I don’t want you throwing up.” Michael smiles kindly while handing a bottle of water. I sip it slowly before giving it back to Michael. I don’t feel thirsty, just very sick.
I watch as though stuck in slow-motion as more people rush toward us. They put Marco on a rescue bed, and they carry him away from me. I can’t see Bob, he must have gone already. Then someone else comes for me. I’m moved gently and laid down on the bed. Sleep is already taking me as Michael and the other man carry me out of the clearing.
There’s nothing for miles, just hills and trees. There’s a helicopter. How did I not hear that? They’re placing Marco inside.
When am I going to see him again?
Will he even be alive by the time we get to the hospital?
I’m packed into an ambulance, a woman prodding and poking me, sticking things into me, and I can’t keep my eyes open. It’s crazy how tired a person will become, literally bone-tired when they know they’re safe.
* * *
“When can I see my fiancé?”
“Soon, dear,”
I roll my eyes and sink back into my pillow. Every time I ask to see Marco, they tell me, ‘Soon.’ But soon isn’t soon enough. I’ve been fixed up, bathed, fed. My leg has been dealt with and is now in plaster. I’m banged up in places, but I’m going to be okay. I want Marco to know that everything is going to be okay. But they won’t let me see him, and they won’t tell me anything. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.
Bob is doing just fine, and his leg will be okay. Saint, Colin, and Hannah were a little dehydrated by the time they were found, but they’re fine now, all three can go home today.
Home. We’re thousands of miles away from home. I haven’t heard from my family yet because they haven’t brought me a phone so that I can call anyone. I’m frustrated, and these people haven’t called our management to tell them we’re alive because it seems everyone thinks we’re dead!
Why the hell wouldn’t they when our plane crashed, and no one could find us?
The nurse told me that they had more important things to do than phone Matt, who wasn’t on the plane with us because he was already in London waiting for us to arrive. She told me that their sole concern was to make sure we were all fixed up and settled before they called anyone. I suppose I can’t be angry with them for that.
But Hannah told me earlier when she came to my room that Saint had called Caren and let her know that we’d been found. Caren told Saint that the whole country thought we were dead, and our families had even had memorials for us because they’d lost hope.
Hannah said that Caren would inform our families of all developments, but that was two hours ago, and I’ve heard nothing. Saint called Caren again and asked what was talking to so long. If she’d called our families, they would have called the hospital to find out how I am. I know they would.
“Can you bring me a phone, then? I want to call my parents to let them know that I’m alive.”
“Aye, lass, I’ll get ye one now.”
“Thank you.” She’s back within a minute with a payphone. She tells me that I won’t need to put any money in, which is good because I have none, all I have to do is press nine, and it will allow me to call anywhere in the world.
I thank her, and she leaves the room.
I’m so nervous; my parents’ house phone is ringing off the hook. They’re not answering, and I wonder if Caren has already called them. I try my mom’s cell, nothing. I try my dad’s, still nothing.
Oh god, where are they?
I try my brother, and he answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Mikey, it’s me. It’s Ember.”
“Ember? Oh my god, Mom! Dad!” I’m already crying my eyes out, hearing Eagle’s voice. I love my brother, and I have missed him so much. “It’s Ember! I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Kay,” Is all I can muster for the moment.
“Ember? Is that really you?”
Oh, mommy.
“It’s really me. Did Caren call you?”
“Yes,” My mom can barely speak.
“She called us, but we were struggling to believe what she was telling us. In fact, she called just five minutes before you did.” My brother tells me.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” My mom whispers.
I can’t help the words falling out of my mouth. “Mommy, I need you!” She can’t speak because she’s sobbing so hard. I hear my brother tell Mom that it’s okay, and I imagine him wrapping his arms around her in comfort.
“Ember? It’s Daddy. Are you okay?” There’s so much pain in his voice that it hurts me deeply.
“I am now. We were stranded in the woods for eight days. I’m in Scotland, Daddy. My leg is broken, and they won’t tell me how Marco is.”
“Slow down, baby girl. It’s okay, I’m here.”
“I need you here, please, Daddy. I’m so alone.”
“Not for long. I’m on the next plane, I promise.” The thought of my dad catching a plane makes me shudder. I never want to be on one of those things again for as long as I live. But I know I’ll have to in order to get home. I won’t worry about it right now.
“I just want to go home. I am so scared, Daddy. Why won’t they let me see Marco? He wouldn’t wake up, Daddy. He wouldn’t wake up!” I’m sobbing so hard I can’t get my words out, I can’t even take in what he’s saying.
I’m sobbing hard and out of control, so much so that the nurse is beside me. How she got there, I don’t know, I didn’t hear her come in. But I’m suddenly silent, my mouth is still open as if I’m crying, but no sound is coming out, my eyes are closed. “That’s it, lass, that’s it,”
Bitch sedated me!
* * *
I don’t know how long I’ve slept for, but I’m suddenly aching. My legs mainly. But I had beautiful dreams about Marco and I getting married. I walked down that aisle in my wedding dress and a big smile on my face. When I reached Marco, he took my hand and said, ‘You look stunning, baby, and you’re all mine.’
That has to come true. Marco has to be okay. God, can’t possibly be so cruel as to take him from me, not after he give Toby to Lydia. Marco is my one, and I need him.
“Hey, sleepyhead,”
“Marco?”
“Yes,” I turn to see him smiling at me. “It’s me, beautiful.” Tears well in my eyes. Marco is sitting right beside me, dressed in sweatpants and a long-sleeved black thermal. His hair is clean and slicked back, and he looks healthy. “Don’t cry, baby.”
“I never thought I’d see you again.” I reach out and take his hand in mine, I need to feel him, I need to know I’m not dreaming. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just fine. I’m sorry I scared you. I was out of it for a while there. But I’m fine, baby. I promise you.”
I nod my head and let out a much-needed breath. “Why wouldn’t you wake up? I was so scared.”
“Dehydration,” He shrugs. “I was dehydrated, and it caused me to pass out. They pumped me full of liquids from the moment they picked us up. I didn’t have any serious injuries, just a few bruises. I’m gonna be fine,” He smiles at me. They let me out of my room a little while ago, and the first place I came was to see you.”
I close my eyes for a second in relief when he strokes my hair back from my forehead.
“We’re even more famous now than we’ve ever been.” He chuckles. ‘Rock band Dun’s Dungeon survive plane crash and week lost in the Scottish wilderness. Rock’s favorite couple is alive!’ That’s the headline I woke up to this morning.” He’s laughing, it’s so good to see him laughing.
If those are the headlines, the press must have found out where’s okay. So, why didn’t my family know where I was? How fucked up is it that the media would be informed before my parents?
“How long have I been out?”
“Since yesterday. The nurse said you
had a panic attack, and she had to put you out for your own good. You became hysterical. There was a moment back there in the woods that I thought I was losing you, Ember. I never gave any thought to what it would mean to lose you like that,” Marco lowers his head for a moment, and I see his shoulders shake.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” I stroke the back of his head. “We’re okay now, I’m okay, and I’m never going to leave you.”
Marco looks up at me and wipes his eyes. “I love you more than anything in this world, Ember.”
I can’t take the smile off my face. We haven’t been together all that long, but we love each other endlessly. We’re getting married, and the whole world can see how much we love each other.
“I love you, man of mine. We got this.” I tell him as he leans down and kisses me softly.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Marco
There are no words to describe just how frightening it is in the aftermath of a plane crash. All those days in the wilderness, cold, weak, thinking this is the end. Trying to keep the woman you love more than life itself alive because you know you’ll die without her. Watching her fade before your eyes while you’re halfway there yourself is something I never want to go through again.
I tried not to let the darkness take me, but I just couldn’t fight it anymore, and my body gave up. Luckily for me, we were rescued. I have no lasting physical damage, a couple of cracked ribs, exhaustion, dehydration, but nothing more.
Ember’s ankle was broken, her knee shattered. She went through an operation to fix that. She won’t be able to walk on her leg for some time to come, and she’ll need rehabilitation, but I’ll be there every step of the way. Ember has a few cuts and bruises to go with her busted leg, but she’ll be okay. Thank the Lord.
Ember fell asleep about an hour ago. I sat with her until Colin came into her room to check to see how Ember was doing. He cried a little when he saw Ember. Colin honestly thought she’d die out there, that he wouldn’t be able to raise the alarm and get us help in time.
He held Ember’s hand and kissed her head before making his way back to his wife. Coin, Hannah, and Saint have all been discharged from the hospital, and Colin wanted to get Hannah back to the hotel so she could rest. I was happy to hear that Hannah hadn’t lost their baby, although Colin said that Hannah hadn’t been doing too well mentally. She’s terrified of having to get on a plane home in case it crashes. The odds of that happening are astronomical; no one could be that unlucky. But I have to admit that getting on a plane again is not appealing to me either.
How the hell we got out of that wreck alive is one thing, but most of us without server injury? I can’t fathom it, although Bob has two busted legs, a broken rib, and collar bone. I’ll never understand how he managed to do all that he did with those injuries. But I’ll be forever grateful because, without his help, I don’t think I could have coped.
We all concluded that Bob and Ember took the brunt of the crash. Apart from the pilot and stewardess, of course, those poor fuckers died.
“This coffee tastes like shit.” Saint mumbles.
I chuckle behind my cup. He’s right, of course, it tastes disgusting. Saint and I had a long conversation earlier about his relationship with Caren. Of course, I was shocked. I never picked up on a damn thing. But seeing the way Saint looked at Caren when she handed him a coffee, I couldn’t help but smile. I watched Caren kiss, Saint, softly as she sat down beside him. It got me thinking that love hits you when you least expect it, and you can’t help but accept it when it does. I wish them all the luck in the world.
Saint and I are now sitting in the waiting area. I got a call from Ember’s dad to say that he’d be arriving soon. Ember had called her family yesterday, and Tank promised to be here for his daughter. So, here I am waiting for Tank, Nova, and Eagle to arrive.
I should return my parents’ calls. They’ve been in touch with Caren to ask how I am. As none of us have given an interview since being rescued, though it was reported that we’re here and alive, I haven’t spoken to my parents’, and they’re beginning to think I didn’t make it.
I don’t have a cell, I lost it in the wreckage, as most of us did. I also don’t fancy venturing outside when the media is still out there, bombarding Colin, Hannah, and Saint each time they leave the building.
“You got a new cell yet?” I ask Saint.
“I got a burner for while I’m here. No point getting a British phone, not like it’ll work back home.”
“Of course, it will, you idiot.” I roll my eyes. Dumbass. Most phone work everywhere. Our old ones would have worked here; I thought he knew that. “Can I borrow it? I think I should call my parents.”
“What, those parents?”
I narrow my eyes and follow his finger to the people he’s pointing at. My parents, big brother, big sister, brother’s wife, sister’s husband, and even my little nephew are rushing toward me. I blink, in case I’m imagining it, but I can see them clear as crystal.
“Colin called them, thought you might need them here.”
I can do nothing but nod because I do need them right now. I get out of my seat just as my mother rushes me, arms tight around my neck. I’m not a small guy, I’m well over six feet tall, my mother is five-four, so I’m bent down, laughing as I hold her tight.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing you! I thought you were dead!” She sobs.
“It’s okay, Mom, I’m here. I’m alive.” I lift out of her grip and hug my dad, followed by the rest of my family. I grab Macaulay and lift him in my arms. “Hey, bud,”
“I missed you, Uncle Marco. I thought you went to heaven.” It breaks my fucking heart that he’s crying.
I rub his back and kiss his head. “I’m here, little man. I’m here.”
I hold him for a moment longer before handing him back to his father.
“We’ve been so worried about you, Marco.”
I nod at my sister. “I’m sorry you all had to go through that.”
“It wasn’t your fault, son,” Dad clasps my shoulder. I can see how much all of this has aged him, and he looks so tired.
“How’s everyone else doing?” Jud asks just as Saint makes his way over to us. “Saint, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Jud, you know me, tough as old boots.”
“Colin, Hannah, and Caren?” Mom asks.
“They’re fine, Mom. Bob and Ember took the brunt of the crash. Well, no, the pilot and stewardess did. But both Ember and Bob came away with injuries. Ember’s leg was crushed on impact, and both of Bob’s legs were broken for the same reason.”
“Are they going to be okay?”
“Bob will be fine, Carol,” Saint smiles kindly. “He’ll need to stay off his legs for a few weeks. It was Ember who needed surgery to fix her knee. They’re not sure how long it will take for her leg to heal, if at all.”
Mom looks at me sadly. I don’t get the chance to reassure her because some is calling my name.
“Marco!” I didn’t even see her coming toward me, but I’m almost knocked off my feet when Nova runs into me. “Oh, god, I’m sorry,” She pulls back, I smile regardless. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you? How’s Ember?”
“Nova, calm down.” Tank clasps his wife’s shoulder while shaking my hand. “I’m glad to see you’re all right, Marco. How’s Ember doing?”
“She’s doing okay. I don’t know if her condition was explained to you?” Tank shakes his head. “As we were just telling everyone, Ember had surgery on her knee because her leg was crushed when the plane went down.” Nova gasps and turns into her husband’s arms. “She’ll be just fine, Nova. She’s asleep right now, but I’ll take you to her in a moment.”
Tank holds his hand out to my dad, while Nova shakes my mother’s hand. “Good to see you again,” My dad states. “I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”
“The kids are fine, so the circumstances aren’t all that bad.”
“You’re right,” My father smiles.
It shocks me that my father is so friendly with Tank. He’s not in favor of bikers per se, but the Snakes are renowned for doing good rather than bad. That’s not to say they don’t do bad shit, we all know they do. But they’re vigilantes, always fighting for the rights of those who feel they have none.
“I’m glad you’re here, Eagle.” We shake hands. Eagle doesn’t say anything, but I can see how hard this is for him right now. He thought Ember had died, and he’s trying not to let his emotions out in front of all of these people.
This man means everything to Ember. Every time she talks about her brother, she’s filled with pride. I know they’re best friends, both Ember and Eagle have told me the same thing. They’re incredibly close, and each would be lost without the other.
“Mr Russo?” I turn to face the nurse and nod. “Ember is asking for you. She’s in a bit of a panic.”
“I’ll be right back.” Is all I say to everyone around me before I rush to my girl’s side. I should have been with her; I should have known Ember would panic if I wasn’t with her.
Ember’s eyes are wide, and her breathing is out of control when I enter the room. She’s covered in sweat. What the hell is going on? She’s staring straight ahead, and I know something isn’t right.
“Ember, it’s okay, I’m here.” Her head is moving side to side slowly, but it’s as though no one’s home, and she can’t hear me. Fuck. “What’s happening to her?”
“I’m not sure, Mr. Russo. I’ve called for the doctor, he’ll be here any moment now. Ember, can you hear me?”
She doesn’t answer, it’s as if she’s stuck in her mind and can’t get out. I’m scared to fucking death right now. I don’t know what to do!
I rush from the room. Maybe Ember’s parents’ can bring her out of it. I wave them over in a panic. They rush toward me and follow me into the room. Both gasp at the sight of their daughter. But I think that has more to do with the fact they can’t yet believe Ember is really alive.
I take Ember’s face gently in my hands as I sit on the bed beside her. I rub my thumbs under her eyes, she blinks, tears falling, but she’s looking at me. “It’s okay, beautiful.”
Ember: Next Gen (Snakes Henchmen MC Book 12) Page 29