by Erin Osborne
I watch as she rushes off before we head back to our seats. Wrath heads outside after letting us know he’s gonna ride back with the asshat in the van. He’ll check in to see how she’s doing as soon as they get back. For now, the rest of us settle in to wait for any news about Victoria. I hate the waiting, but they need all the time necessary to take care of her.
“She’ll pull through,” Torch tries to assure us as much as himself. “Lil’ Bit is strong as fuck and knows we’re all waitin’ to bring her home. Your baby will be just as fuckin’ stubborn as she is. I already know it.”
I can only nod my head as I lean back in the chair to wait.
At one point in time, one of the Prospects brings us coffees and snacks. I decline anything to eat but accept the coffee. If for no other reason than to have something in my hands. I doubt I’ll ever drink a sip of nasty hospital coffee. It’s never any good and I’m positive this hospital will be no different.
We sit in silence while waiting for Doc or someone else to make an appearance. It’s hours and hours before I watch Doc walk through the doors. He’s covered in blood and my heart drops. His face is set in grim, tired line as he approaches us.
“She’s in critical but stable condition right now. The next forty-eight to seventy-two hours are crucial as to what her outcome will be. She has been in surgery to fix her broken arm and stitch up the worst of her gashes and cuts. An infection is ravagin’ her body so they’ve started antibiotics through an IV,” he lets us know, turning his attention to me. “So far the baby is also hangin’ on. They’re bein’ careful about what medicine they’re givin’ her because of the baby. For now, it could go either way. I’m sorry, Tags. There’s not much else I can tell you.”
“When can I see her? I need to be by her side so she knows she’s not alone,” I plead not for the first time since finding her.
“It’s gonna be about another hour or two. You, Torch, and Pyro will be allowed to go in. You’ll have to gown up and make sure you wash thoroughly before steppin’ through her door. We’re takin’ every precaution to prevent further infection or trauma to her,” he states.
“How did you get privileges here?” Satan questions him after hearing about Victoria.
“This is one of the hospitals I volunteer at. When they’re short staffed or anythin’ I come in to lend a hand. My good friend Bill was on duty tonight. He knows what Vic and the baby mean to the club. We’re gonna do everythin’ in our power to save both of them. For now, the rest of you should either head home or get a hotel for the night. I’m not sure how you want to play this,” he lets us know, still in Doctor mode.
“We’re stayin’ until she’s out of the woods. Then we’ll head home with the exception of her brothers, Tags, and you. I want you four here with the two Prospects until she can come home. They’re not gonna trust anyone except for you to watch over her, Doc,” Satan orders as we all take in his words. “I’ll make sure our party favor remains on ice until you’re all back home.”
With that, we settle back in while Doc heads back where my woman is. There is no way I’ll be able to breathe freely until she’s completely out of the woods and I know the fate of our child. Everything right now is up to fate. I just hope it’s smiling down on her right now. I need her more than I ever thought I’d need another person. Right now, in this very moment, I know exactly what Pyro has been going through for so long. And his situation is so much worse than this is.
Chapter Thirty-One
Victoria
I’VE BEEN IN straight darkness for I don’t know how long now. While I’m relieved not to feel the pain of Scott’s beatings, I’m not thrilled I don’t know what’s been happening to me either. Yes, I still think of that shit while I’m locked in the dark space which consumes me when everything is too much to handle.
This time things are completely different as the darkness begins to fade. Yes, I’m still in agonizing pain. That much is the same. However, I’m not on a mattress with springs poking every single inch of my body. There are pillows behind my head and an incessant beeping noise making my head pound even more than it has been.
Trying to open my eyes, they feel stuck. I know they’re swollen, but I should still be able to open them into the slits I had however long ago.
“Baby, are you okay?” I hear Tags’ concerned voice reach my ears. “I’ve got you.”
Knowing Tags is somehow by my side, I drift back into the darkness. It’s not where I want to be considering I’m not with Scott apparently; I’m back with my family. I don’t care how they got me, but I know I’m with them and more than likely in the hospital.
Panic fills me because I don’t know if I still have our baby nestled safely inside me. I can hear the heart monitor going chaotic as the beeping surrounds me from a distance. Then the alarms begin to sound. This is not good.
“Baby, you need to calm down. Please, for me, calm down. Our baby needs you to be strong for him or her right now,” Tags’ voice seems to float around my mind.
Finally, I succumb to the warmth seeping into my veins. It drags me back under to the bleak darkness until I can’t register anything else. This is my safe, happy place right now.
Waking up once more, I find my eyes will open slightly more than before. This means the swelling has gone down slightly. However, the light from the sun and in the room is making my head pound even worse than it has been. Scrunching my eyes closed, I try to bury my head.
“It’s okay, Lil’ Bit,” I hear Pyro’s voice fill my ears.
“B-B-Bright,” I mutter though my throat kills me as I try to say that one simple word.
“Someone shut the lights off for her,” Tags demands, as I try to open my eyes once more.
There’s scurrying around the room before it feels darker. Once again I try to open my eyes so I can see who’s here with me and if I’m truly away from the asshole who is Scott. As my vision clears, I see Torch, Pyro, and Tags in the room with me. They all look rough with stubble on their face, tired, drawn lines filling their faces, and rumpled clothing. Not a single one of them look as if they have been sleeping or taking care of themselves. This is why they need me; I need to look after my family.
“How do you feel, baby?” Tags questions me, concern filling him as he leans down to place a soft kiss against my temple.
“Water,” I murmur, my voice sounding rough to my own ears.
Pyro quickly grabs the pitcher of water and pours me a small amount in a cup with a straw.
“Small sips right now,” he warns me as he holds the straw to my dry, busted lips.
After taking a few small sips of the cool, refreshing water, I pull my head from the cup, so Pyro knows I’m done for now. He sets it on the table next to my bed before walking over to lean against the wall with Torch. While all of their eyes look haunted, Torch’s eyes are filled with pain, regret, and rage. He was the one in town when this happened. He’s going to feel guilty and I hate that for him.
“No,” I tell him, not looking at anyone other than my big brother.
“No what?” he questions me, walking closer to the hospital bed I’m laying in.
“You’re not gonna take this shit on your shoulders,” I inform him. “Scott is the only one who needs to feel guilty and there isn’t a guilty bone in his damn body.”
“If I had been there, he wouldn’t have gotten you,” Torch insists, not letting himself off the hook for this shit.
“Yeah, and you could’ve ended up like the Prospect. I’m assuming he didn’t make it,” I state, knowing my brother isn’t immortal.
Torch, Pyro, and Tags can be hurt or worse just like anyone else. Not a single one of them understands that when it comes to protecting those they love or care about. They’ll proudly give their lives up in order to make sure any of us are safe and whole. That’s not a burden they should take on because things happens. Hell, any of us could walk across the street and get hit by a car. That’s not something they can control.
I’m tired as hel
l when the door to my room opens. Doc walks in. He looks at everyone in the room before his gaze lands on me. A soft smile covers his face as he walks closer to me.
“You gave us all quite a scare,” he says, looking over the machine connected to me. “How are you feelin’ today?”
“Like I’ve been beaten repeatedly and I’m exhausted,” I let him know honestly. “How’s my baby? Am I still pregnant?”
I need to know if I’m still pregnant or if Scott killed Tags’ and my baby. My gaze clashes with Tags as a smile fills his face.
“Our baby is strong and stubborn. Just like their mama,” Tags informs me, his smile growing as my own takes over my face. “You’re still pregnant and things look good from what Doc has told us.”
“Thank you,” I say, tears streaking down my face.
“Yes, you are still pregnant. I’ll have an ultrasound done in a little bit because I know you won’t simply take our words for it. You’ll want to see him or her for yourself. By the way, we did take a small sample of fluid to ensure nothin’ was wrong with the baby while you were out of things. I do know what you’re havin’ if you would like to know,” he tells me.
Again, my gaze locks with Tags. This isn’t just a decision for me to make; it’s our child. Nodding my head, Tags lets Doc know to tell us what our baby is. It will be nice to know instead of saying baby, it, or whatever else.
“You are goin’ to be the proud parents of a bouncin’ baby boy,” he says as my brothers and Tags practically jump up in the air in excitement. “Now for the important things. You’re goin’ to have to stay here a few more days at least. You’ve got some busted ribs, your elbow is broken and we’ve had to surgically repair it. That’s why the large wrap is on your arm. There are two pins in there right now holding things together. Once we know everything is starting to fuse together, we’ll remove the wires and place you in a regular cast for at least six weeks.
“A brace is on your knee because it was sprained. You have several cuts and gashes along your body. We’ve stitched them closed and you’ve been on antibiotics through an IV to get rid of the infection flooding your system. You may be out of the woods now, but you’ve got a long road ahead of you, Victoria. Lots of bed rest and takin’ things easy for the foreseeable future. You’re gonna get sick of it.”
“I’ll take being sick of bed rest over the alternatives,” I state, laying back against the pillows as Doc begins to check me over.
Once he’s done with his exam and marking things down in my chart, he lets us know he’ll get the ultrasound tech up here so I can see our little boy. I’m happy as hell we’re having a boy.
“We’re gonna go grab somethin’ to eat. You two take a few minutes,” Torch states, grabbing Pyro as they leave the room.
“Are you happy?” I ask Tags when the door shuts behind my brothers.
“I am. Are you?” he returns.
“Yeah. I’d rather have a little boy first. That way he’ll protect any little sisters he has later on,” I inform him honestly.
“You want more kids?” he questions, pulling his chair up against my bed so he can hold my good hand.
“I want more kids. Do you?”
“I want as many as you’ll give me. Because, Victoria, you’re not givin’ any other man kids. I’m done waitin’ and pussy footin’ around shit. I’m claimin’ you in the eyes of the club. You know what that means and it’s gonna happen. I can’t do this shit again. Then, we’re gettin’ married before our boy gets here,” he orders, not giving me much choice in the matter.
“It’s a good thing I love you, Tags. If I didn’t, I’d beat your ass for those demands,” I say, trying to laugh a little though it hurts. “You better be asking me properly to marry you. I won’t on a demand from you.”
“Point taken. I’ll do it right by you,” he says, leaning his head down on the bed beside me. “I’ve never been so scared in my life before, Vic. You’re my world and I’m goin’ to do whatever it takes to protect you, both of you, from here on out.”
“I know you will babe. Just hold me for now. That’s all I need.
Before my brothers get back, the ultrasound tech comes in. She avoids looking at Tags and I’m thankful for that because I’m in no shape to beat her ass. Instead, she does her job. I cry when we hear our son’s heartbeat for the first time. When his picture fills the screen, even though there’s not much to look at right now, Tags and I both cry. Our little one is definitely a mix of his father and I to survive everything Scott has just done to us.
When the tech leaves, making sure we have pictures of our little peanut, I look at my man.
“You better make him fucking pay for this. I Want him to hurt worse than I do. Do you understand me?” I order him, knowing there is no way Scott got away from them.
“We’ll make sure he feels every single thing you did, baby,” he promises before laying a soft kiss against my battered lips.
I may not seem right for wanting my man and brothers to make Scott pay for what he’s done to me. However, he’s tortured, stalked, and threatened me for the last time. There is no way in hell he can survive and be let free. He’ll keep coming for me until I’m completely destroyed. That’s not something I can take right now. Right now, I want to live my life and know Scott will never hurt another person. That his miserable life has been cut short the same way he planned to do to me.
“Tags, you need to know what he told me. He was planning on selling me to someone, so I’d be their slave until they killed me. The rest of the women in the club too. Not just the ol’ ladies, but every female associated with the Blazing Outlaws family,” I warn him, knowing they need to put all the women on lockdown for now.
“I’ll let Satan know. Thank you, baby. For now, lay back and let the meds do their job. Rest so we can get out of here sooner rather than later. Satan and the others who are still in town will be here to see you soon,” he informs me.
Laying back against the pillows, I let sleep claim me once more. This time I’m not scared Scott will get his hands on me again. I know I’m in the hospital surrounded by my family. Scott can no longer hurt me or my son. Knowing that is the best feeling in the world.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tags
VICTORIA HAS BEEN in the hospital for almost two weeks now. She’s ready to go home just like her brothers, Doc, and myself are too. Every single day she begs and pleads to go home. Doc refuses to let her with her condition. He doesn’t want to take any chances with the baby or her health. That’s why he works for the club; he always takes our best interest at heart.
Today, I’m going to ask if we can head home. We’ll make sure she rests and gets plenty of rest. Plus, Capone has said they’re postponing the wedding until we’re out of here. Vic feels horrible because she knows some of what the couple has been through. She doesn’t want to be the reason they wait longer to get married.
Just after breakfast, Doc comes sauntering through the door with a smile on his face.
“You want the bad news or good news?” he questions us, looking at us.
“The bad news,” Vic says, despair filling her as she realizes today is not the day she’ll be leaving here.
“The bad news is, Torch, Pyro, and Tags are about to be up your ass so bad you’ll want to kill them. Or maim the fuckers at the very least. You’re gettin’ let go today. I’ve got your discharge papers and a nurse will be in to unhook you from everythin’. Your prescriptions are already called into a pharmacy back home, so they’ll be ready when we get there. Satan has one of the SUVs downstairs waitin’ on you. You’ll be sore on the ride and want to take a nap when we get home,” he informs us, handing over a bag of clothes for her.
“Thank you!” she says, her voice sounding strong and happy as hell.
“They’re also not gonna let you do anythin’ except for attendin’ the weddin’. Get your head around that right now,” Doc warns her, looking at me as I nod my head in agreement.
“I’ll leave you to it. Y
ou can put your pants on with your socks and shoes. You’ll have to wait for your shirt until the IVs have been removed,” Doc informs us.
“Is there anythin’ else we have to do from here to home?” I question, wanting to make sure they take every precaution.
“Nope. She’s been gettin’ her antibiotics through the IV. I’ll make sure she gets more when we get home. You’ll have to take them twice a day until they’re gone. You’ve been refusin’ the pain meds so there isn’t any worry there. Though I did send in a script for a few just in case you need them,” he says, putting her papers on the table before leaving the room.
“Yay!” she says, wanting to jump up and down even though she can’t. “Can you help me get dressed please. I’m ready to leave.”
I laugh at her. Victoria looks like a kid on Christmas morning. She’s ready to be out of here and her excitement is overshadowing anything else in this moment. Walking over to her bedside, I pull out the panties and my sweats from the bag. She’s got a tank top in there too because it’s going to be hard to get anything over the bandage currently wrapping her arm. I have a zip up hoodie she can wear since it’s been getting chilly out when the sun goes down.
By the time I’ve slid her panties and my sweatpants in place, the nurse is walking in to get her unhooked from the IVs. She lets us know Doc wants one more set of vitals run on her before she can do all that. Victoria patiently sits on the bed as her vitals are taken and then the IV is removed from her arm.
As soon as the nurse leaves the room, Vic is ripping the gown from her body. I’m surprised she pulled the strings to undo the gown before removing the offending object from her body. I can’t help but laugh at her since she’s still so excited.
“Let’s get me dressed before someone else walks in,” she orders, watching the door warily.
I’m staring at her tits when Victoria turns her attention back to me. She’s not wearing a bra obviously and I can definitely tell they’ve gotten bigger in just the short amount of time she was away from me. I want to take her nipples in my mouth and suck on them. Make her realize everything Scott did doesn’t take away from what I feel for her.