by Jill Shannon
"I'm fine. My ears are ringing, and I might have some rug rash on my stomach. Besides that, I'm fine."
Once he knew she was all right, holding her at arm's length, he then laid into her for her recklessness. "What were you thinking? You could have been killed!" He clasped her to his chest.
Barely managing a breath, she whispered, "I can't breathe." Hunter released his grip, allowing some space between them. "Thank you," she expressed. "And as for what was I thinking…" She paused, shaking her head. "…I didn't. I reacted." Pulling from his arms, she looked for the assailant. "Who's under that hood? And why did they want to shoot your mother?" Anxiousness filled her voice. "Your mother, is she alive?"
She heard the anger in his voice when he answered her, "I don't know, but we are going to find out." He slipped his hand to her waist and guided her in the shooter's direction. "My mother was grazed in the arm. Luckily, we are in a hospital, and the other bullet was diverted into the wall. All because of your selfless act."
By now, the other Celtic Demons' members had begun to crowd around the stranger. When they arrived, Hunter told Shadow, "Remove the hood."
Shadow ripped the hood off, revealing a severely scarred man, his head sinking to his chest in embarrassment.
"Ethan?" Diesel's voice came from beside Hunter.
"You know this guy, Diesel?" Judge asked.
"Yeah, he was the orderly who hung out with me in rehab." Without removing his eyes from Ethan, Diesel questioned him, "What the hell are you doing?"
Ethan raised his head, his eyes finding Diesel. "It has taken me years of surgeries, skin grafts, and rehab to get back on my feet. I told you all of that; what I didn't tell you was why." His eyes flashed in Maggie's direction then back to Diesel. "I knew I'd never get close enough to her. So, I settled for the son. I had narrowed my search down to the Myrtle Beach area, and then I met you. You were so eager to tell me about your special brotherhood and how Hunter and the club were planning a fundraiser for the hospital. I intended to get close enough to Hunter and scar him as his mother had done to me. However, a lucrative offer came my way. I knew your club would make a big fucking deal over giving the donation to the hospital. So, I took the job, I knew he wasn't going anywhere. Plus, I had waited this long." Ethan looked with hatred in his eye at Maggie when she pushed through the crowd to join them. "Take a good look at what your explosion did to me, girlie. I'm sure you don't recognize me. My real name is Ian Ethan MacGrath." He saw the stunned look in Maggie's eyes. "That's right; I survived. When I heard that you would be at this presentation, I knew my dreams had finally come true. I would finally get the opportunity to kill the bitch who did this to me and my family."
Hailey had been tucked away behind Viking throughout the whole exchange. Yet when she heard his use of the term 'girlie', she stepped around him to confront Ethan, declaring, "You're the piece of shit who was going to sell me into slavery. You bastard." Hailey lurched forward with her nails extended. Viking caught her around the waist before she could reach him.
"Is that the lucrative business opportunity you referred to?" Judge interrogated him.
A vile grin formed on Ethan's face. "I see you survived your underwater swim." His comment was directed at Hailey. Swinging his attention back to Judge, he said, "Hell, it was easy money. Five grand apiece, and no one would miss the bitches anyway."
Viking hauled off and punched Ethan in the face. "You have to be the sickest fuck I've ever met."
Ethan spit out the blood from his busted lip. "Like I told your hellcat, don't judge me until you've walked in my shoes. You think it was easy growing up a hideous monster. Children hiding behind their mothers. People moving away from me like I have a disease they could contract. I finally had a chance to make some real money, and I took it."
"Well, let me be the first to inform you, your services will no longer be required. Zapatero has decided to take the cartel in a different direction," Hunter happily enlightened him.
The grin fell from Ethan's face. "What are you talking about?" he insisted
"You see, since you are already going to be arrested for attempted murder—" Yankee spoke up.
"Not to mention kidnapping and a slew of other charges," Viking spit at him, interrupting.
"It doesn't really matter if Zapatero shuts down his human trafficking ring. Because you won't be around to do his dirty work for him anyway," Hunter finished with the final twist in the back. "And by the way, she did that too." He gestured in Maggie's direction.
Ethan tried to break free from Shadow and Dancer. "You bitch," he shouted at her.
Maggie stood tall and proud, holding her injured arm. She walked over and stood in front of Ethan. Leaning forward, she whispered, "You are the reason I did what I did to your family. I knew if you all died at once, there would be no one looking to exact revenge. You, however, slipped under my radar. Trust me, it won't happen again." She started to move away then as if she forgot to tell him something, adding, "Oh, and I have associates and soldiers everywhere." Maggie made sure she locked gazes with him, so he understood her underlying meaning.
Maggie had just finished her statement when the room filled with law enforcement. The Celtic Demons opened up a path for them to get to Ethan. He knew he wouldn't last one week in general population. So, he took matters into his own hands. As Shadow and Dancer relinquished him into the custody of the officers, he broke free, snatching the gun from the cop to his right. Waving it in front of himself, he backed up the crowd.
The women were quickly tucked behind a wall of gun drawn Celtic Demons. "You may have sixteen shots in that Glock, but you'll be falling to the ground dead if you fire one of them," Hunter warned him.
Ethan had been inching his way toward the exit while holding everyone at bay. "I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, but none of you will shoot. We're in a fucking hospital; you never know who could get hurt," Ethan taunted them. "Some innocent expectant mother or even a kid." They all knew he was right, preventing them from taking him out. Proving his point, he grabbed an unsuspecting nurse as he burst through the door into the hallway, dragging her along with him, the gun held to her head.
Hunter's nightmare vividly flashed through his memory. And for a fraction of time, he was transported back to the shack in the desert, standing helplessly while an assailant held a hostage as a shield. He was not going to let that happen again. He had been unable to save the reporter, but that would not be the same outcome for this nurse. Ethan dragged the hysterical nurse along with him. Hunter went into full military mode. His mission, save the nurse. As the crowd filtered out of the atrium, moving with them, forming a semi-circle, when they reached the open lobby of the hospital, people frantically ran in all directions, getting out of Ethan's way.
Ethan's head rocked back and forth, his crazed eyes searching for other threats and the exit. With so many innocent victims around, the Celtic Demons, as well as the police, could only watch. Nevertheless, Hunter knew that this would be the perfect time to take out Ethan. His attention would be divided with all the commotion going on around him. Knowing he would only have a fraction of a second, he waited for his opening.
Hunter didn't need to wait long for his chance. An orderly trying to get out of the line of fire tripped over a wheelchair, giving Hunter the opening he needed. Ethan's arm with the gun in it swung toward the racket. Without a second thought, he fired his pistol at Ethan's extended arm, hitting him in the shoulder. Ethan reached up to the wound, oozing blood. The nurse, as well as his weapon, fell to the floor. In the blink of an eye, the police officers swarmed, some getting the nurse to safety, others taking Ethan to the ground.
Hunter immediately placed his Glock on the floor in front of him and raised his hands, knowing he would be taking a ride downtown for what he did.
Willow became frantic. "What are you doing? They can't arrest you; you saved all these people. They should be thanking you."
While the officer was cuffing him and collecting his gun as evidence, he ex
plained to her, "Princess, it's just a formality. Everyone here was a witness to what happened, but I still need to be brought down to the station for a statement." He added in a calm voice, "Stay with my mother for me and make sure she is taken care of." He smiled down at her then simplified things. "This is not the club's first rodeo with law enforcement."
Although Willow was apprehensive about him going to the police station, the sincerity in his voice told her he'd be all right. She moved close to him, placing her palm on his cheek. "I will stay here because I'm trusting you." She leaned in, kissing him. Then, stepping back, she told him, "We will meet you back at your house. I'm sure your mother will be more comfortable there than at a hotel, especially after being shot."
"Thank you, princess. Had you not knocked him off balance, my mother might not be alive right now," Hunter expressed his gratitude cheerfully. "However," his tone deepened with a touch of anger in it, "we will discuss your punishment later for your recklessness."
At this time, Liam, Maggie, and Luca join them. Maggie had refused to go with the medical team to get her arm stitched until after she saw her son. Walking in on the tail end of their conversation, she stated, "You might want to go easy on the punishment. Without her, I might not be here right now."
"I know, Mother," Hunter agreed. "Now be a good girl and get your arm taken care of." He glanced in Liam's direction, saying, "Make sure she gets the best care."
Liam's green eyes zeroed in on Luca. "Maggie won't leave my sight."
Hunter then pointed in Luca's direction. "You will watch over Willow."
Luca raised his right hand. "I swear."
Once Hunter was satisfied that the two most important people in his life would be looked after while he was gone, he let the officers know he was ready to leave. He said to Willow before he did, "I'll meet you back at the house in a couple of hours." Kissing her one more time, he pulled back, looking into her crystal blue eyes. "I love you, princess."
"I love you too. I'll see you in a bit." At that time, Willow stepped aside and watched Hunter walk away.
Epilogue
"Scar, pour me another shot," Hunter demanded, sitting at the clubhouse bar.
"What are you so nervous about, Saint? She'll be here," Yankee declared. "All women want to get married."
Hunter gave Yankee a sarcastic look before downing his shot of Jack. "That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say, Yankee," Hunter exclaimed. Slapping the shot glass on the bar and spinning his barstool around, he looked at the transformed clubhouse. Judge had allowed them to have their wedding there. The ceremony was to take place inside, and the party to rage out on the back deck. Hunter had been amazed at how fast the old ladies had decorated the areas, considering the expedient timing of the event. Commenting on the room, Hunter changed the subject. "You think Willow will like what they did?"
"Given the amount of time they had and the unlimited funds, thanks to your mother, I think they did a fantastic job," Judge remarked.
"If she had answered me sooner, they would have had more time," Saint rebutted.
"What changed her mind? I thought she wanted to wait until after the baby was born. So, and I quote, 'I don't look like a fat cow in the pictures,'" Viking asked.
"She was listening to the radio, and 'Boy' by Lee Brice came on. She said she cried like a baby and that she wanted our daughter to grow up like that, with a mom and a dad always being there, and that being married solidified that for her."
"She couldn't have heard that song like, I don't know, say six months ago, instead of five days before her due date? She's cutting it a little close, don't you think, Saint?" Yankee noted.
"Five days, five hours, I don't care. I'm just glad Willow finally said yes." Hunter glanced at the clock on the wall. "Now, if she would only get here."
Willow stood before the full view mirror, appraising her appearance. She wore a white chiffon gown with lace cap sleeves. The deep V neck with intricate beading encasing her heavy chest led to the high waistline. The material flowing over her large stomach helped to conceal some of its size. Her wavy chestnut hair had been pinned back on the sides but left flowing down her back. A veil of thin lace and beads adorned her hair and flowed to the floor.
Although she knew Hunter and his groomsmen would be in jeans, dress shirts, and their cuts and they were getting married in the clubhouse, Willow still wanted the lace and frills of a bride. She had left the decorating up to Angel, Skylar, Hailey, and his mother. Being so far into her pregnancy, she knew she wouldn't have the energy, but the dress was all Willow's decision. As she was getting ready to put on her three-inch wedge sandals, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in," Willow yelled.
"Chica, what is taking so long? We need to get going. Your groom will think you changed your mind," Luca announced as he entered with Hailey following behind. Hailey had agreed to be her maid of honor while Luca and her sister Skylar had consented to be 'bridesmaids'.
"Oh my God, Willow, you look stunning," Hailey uttered, seeing her all dressed and ready. "You are a beautiful bride."
"You are glowing," Luca added.
Graciously accepting their praise, Willow went on to say, "I just need to slip my shoes on, and I'm ready to go." She leaned over to pick them up, and an incredible pain seized across her stomach. "Ugh, what the hell?" Willow shouted, reaching for her stomach.
"What's the matter?" they both asked in unison, concern filling their faces.
Willow sat on the side of the bed, taking a few deep breaths as she let the pain subside. "Whoa, that was weird," she said offhandedly. "Luca, hand me my shoes so we can get this show on the road."
Luca and Hailey look questionably at each other. Luca moved then to assist her with her shoes while Hailey posed the question, "Are you in labor, Willow?"
"It's probably just nerves," Luca interjected. "Or gas," he added with a laugh.
Willow made a sympathetic face at Hailey. "You have to forgive him; he finds it hysterical that pregnant women get gas." She slipped her feet into the shoes Luca held for her. Standing to her feet, she told them, "Let's go get me married."
The ride to the clubhouse had been uneventful. Willow's mother and Skyler had driven over earlier to make sure everything was decorated perfectly for her special day. Willow texted Hunter when they were leaving, to apologize for being late and to let him know she was on her way.
Luca and Hailey got out of the limo, leaving Willow with her dad Frank. "I'm very proud of you, Willow. You were always our wandering child, and to be honest, we never thought you would settle down. Yet, here you are today, marrying the man you love and setting down roots. You are a beautiful bride, and I know Hunter will make you very happy. You have a lot to look forward to. But remember, your mother and I will always be here for you." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too, Daddy." She kissed him back.
"Now, are you ready to go get this party started?" he teased with her.
"Absolutely, I think I've made him wait long enough."
Her father climbed out of the limo. With the use of his cane, he reached his hand back for hers. As she grabbed onto it, another searing pain ripped across her abdomen, causing her to squeeze her father's hand and halt her ability to get out of the car. "Ah, Willow, you're crushing my hand. What's the matter, baby?" When she released his hand, he immediately started shaking it to get the blood flowing again.
"I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to hurt you. It just came on so suddenly."
"Is that the same kind of pain you had before we left the house?" Hailey inquired.
"It was a little more intense but, yes, similar."
"Willow, I think you're in labor," Hailey commented with more concern in her voice.
Willow sat half in the limousine with her legs outside the door, stunned by the realization that Hailey could be right. The fact that she wasn't due for another week didn't mean a thing. Babies came when they wanted to. Reaching her hands out, seeking some help to get out of the car,
she announced, "Then I think I'd better get inside." When she was on her feet, she looked at the three of them and commanded, "Not a word to anyone. We aren't sure if I'm really in labor, and I don't want Hunter worrying. Understand?" They all nodded in agreement.
She tucked her hand through the crook of her father's arm and plastered a smile on her face, saying a silent prayer, Lord, if I am in labor, could you do me a favor and let me get through this ceremony without any pain? Amen. Then she said out loud to the group around her, "On the upside, if I am going to have this baby today, it will make the day even more special."
"Chica, you know you are going to have to tell Hunter, right?" Luca mentioned as they approached the door.
"Yes, I will. As soon as we are married."
"Promise?" he prodded.
"Yes, I promise. Now, can we go?"
Luca kissed her on the cheek. "I am happy now." He opened the door to the clubhouse and they walked in. Willow took in the lovely view in front of her. The entire room had been rearranged. A floral archway with white lilies and purple roses had been erected for their alter. Chairs with their friends and family in them were set in front of the arbor and separated by a lavender rug. Along the walls were yards of white and purple flowing lace. While pedestals, strategically placed around the room, overflowed with flowers, the bar area had been concealed behind two tri-fold white woven fabric room dividers.
Willow stood in awe, looking at how the room had been transformed into a little chapel. Her eyes welled with happy tears upon seeing the effort that had gone into the incredibly lovely view before her. Skylar and her mother Doris joined the group. "I let Hunter know the minute you arrived. Are you ready to do this?" Skylar asked.
"You guys did an amazing job with all of this." Willow waved her hand around at the room. Her other hand wiped a stray tear. Then, sniffling, she scoffed, "Yes, we'd better get started. I'm sure the club members aren't too happy about us taking over their sanctuary."