Healing Gabe (Last Hangman MC Book 3)

by Muriel Garcia

  I feel numb, I haven’t moved an inch since she was shot, I’m sitting on the floor, resting my head on my knees, holding my head. I hear someone shout my name. I look up and see Bennett limping over to me. I had no idea he was here. I look around as he walks towards me. Sanders is holding Jenny’s dead body. Annie is on the ground, with a hole in her head. Jared is face down on the ground, with half of his brain missing. I don’t know who shot him, but I’m glad that motherfucker is finally dead. I just wish I could have been the one who put a bullet in his head for shooting Viv.

  “She’s a fighter, she’ll be okay, but you need to get your ass to the hospital and be with her. She needs you Brother.” he says holding his hand out to me. I take it and he helps me up.

  “I can’t lose her.” I tell him, my voice wavering.

  “I know, that’s why you need to go and be with her. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect her like I was supposed to. It’s my fault.” he says sadly.

  “We’ll talk later, come on, looks like you could use a ride.” I help him out of the warehouse and we take one of the pickups that are parked outside the warehouse.

  We drive to the hospital in silence, I can’t bring myself to talk, if I do, I know I’ll lose it. I need to stay focused and get us there as soon as possible in one piece. I break all the speed limits driving to the hospital, I don’t have much choice, I need to be there for Viv and Bennett needs medical attention. I look over to Bennett and see that he’s losing a lot of blood from his gunshot wound.

  “Hang in there Brother,” I tell him before I pick up the pace, breaking the speed limit.

  We finally get there and I half carry, half drag him inside the ER. The nurse behind the counter sees the state of his leg and comes rushing out of the small office.

  “What happened to you, Sweetheart?” If things weren’t this bad, I would find it funny.

  “Got shot twice in my leg.” He groans in pain as he applies too much pressure to his wounded leg.

  “Come on, we’ll take care of you.” She shows us the way to a cubicle and I follow, still half carrying him. He wasn’t this bad when we left, I guess he’s lost more blood than I thought. “You’re our second gunshot victim today.” She shakes her head.

  “Was the first one a young woman with purple hair?” I ask, scared we aren’t in the right hospital.

  “Yes, how do you know?” She gets Bennett on a gurney and tightens a tourniquet around his thigh.

  “She’s my woman. How is she? Where is she? I need to see her.” I say frantically.

  “I’ll go get a doctor for you, Sir.” She scurries away leaving me with Bennett.

  “She’ll be okay, don’t worry.”

  “There was so much blood. Coming out of her chest. What if he shot her in the heart?” I’m sure I feel faint, not like I’m going to pass out, but instead like the life has been sucked out of me.

  “Do you really think she would give up after all this?” Bennett asks raising his eyebrow at me.

  “She doesn’t get to choose whether she lives or dies. Not if she was shot in the fucking heart.”

  “Yes, of course she can. She can either fight the pain or let go. Don’t give up on her just yet, it might take a while but she will be okay. Trust me Brother, she won’t leave you behind.” He pats my shoulder and groans again. “Fuck the bastard who did this.”

  “I hope you’re right.” I sigh. “Who shot you?”

  “One of those fucking Kings pussies. Anyway I know I’m right, so stop moping around like a fucking woman and make yourself useful, go get me some morphine, will you?” He groans yet again.

  “No he can’t.” A doctor walks into the cubicle with two nurses. He looks me up and down. I must be a sight, I’m covered in blood, Viv’s blood. “They’re about to take her down to surgery now to remove the bullet and fix any damage.” I can see the muscles in his jaw work as I look at him expectantly and then he sighs. “Third hallway to your right then three more to your left. Hurry up.” I nod at him and run out, needing to see her. I don’t know what the doc’s deal is, but it seems that he thinks it’s my fault she’s been shot and that I don’t deserve to see her. He’d be right about that. Maybe he knows her though, she did use to live around here.

  I let those thoughts die as I reach the last hallway and see the surgery team wheeling her towards a set of doors at the other end of the corridor.

  “Wait!” I yell at them.

  “We have to hurry up Sir, you can’t be here.”

  “I just need to see her, she’s my girlfriend.” I run to her and kiss her forehead. They’ve already intubated her and she’s still unconscious. “I’m so sorry, Viv. Please fight, I need you to fight for me. I love you so much.” I wipe a single tear that rolls down her cheek. I don’t know if she heard me, but I fucking hope she can fight this.

  “We really have to go now.” Says one of the nurses and they take her away from me, I watch the doors close slowly, feeling like they’re closing a chapter of my life. I hope I won’t be writing the next one on my own.

  “Sir?” A soft voice comes from behind me. I turn around and see a really young nurse looking at me like I’m a terrifying monster. The fact that I’m wearing my cut, am covered in blood and have a nasty scar on my cheek isn’t helping.

  “Yes?”

  “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you the waiting room so you can wait for your girlfriend without all the commotion of the ER.” Her voice is so soft that I barely hear her.

  “Thanks, ‘preciate it but my brother is in there, I’m going to go wait with him.” I giving her a small smile and she nods, blushing.

  “Alright, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask for someone to show you where the waiting room is. We’ll keep you updated on your girlfriend’s condition as soon as we hear anything.” She smiles softly and almost runs away.

  I walk back towards where Bennett is and sit by him. “What did the doctor say?” I sigh, needing to keep my mind from wandering off into unwanted thoughts.

  “Went to get X-rays done while you were seeing Viv. Just waiting to get the results now. How was she?”

  “Unconscious and she had a tube down her throat,” I say defeated.

  “Don’t give up.” The disapproving doctor comes into the cubicle.

  “We’re going to have to operate, Sir. One of the bullets didn’t go straight through and is lodged against the bone.” He holds up X-rays they took whilst I was seeing Viv. At least it looks like they are quick at something, hopefully my Viv will be receiving the same level of care.

  “Oh come on! Can’t you just numb the area and pluck it out?”

  “No Sir. The bullet is too deep, it doesn’t look like it has exploded or hit anything vital but we need to remove it as quickly and carefully as possible to avoid any further damage.” The doctor tells him and I can tell Bennett is not pleased about it.

  “I swear to God, if you make my dick explode, I’ll fucking sue your ass!” He glares at the doc, managing to make us all laugh.

  “I promise Sir, I won’t.” the doc says chuckling.

  “It’s not funny! The thing is huge, maybe you’ll have to strap it to my other leg or something so it doesn’t get in the way.” He shrugs and we keep laughing. He does know how to lighten up the mood.

  “Thanks Brother. I needed a good laugh.”

  “I’m all about pleasing you, Gabe.” He smirks and waggles his eyebrows.

  “Asshat.” I chuckle and shake my head. “Take care of him doc, even though he’s a total fucking nutjob.”

  “We will.” They start to wheel him down that same corridor I saw Viv in earlier, I follow until we reach the same door that is separating me from her. I lean on the wall in the empty hallway and sigh. Why does my life always turn to shit? Whenever something good happens, something a million times worse follows.

  “Waiting room?” I hear the same shy nurse from earlier ask me.

  “Are you following me?” I raise my eyebrow at her, standing up fully
.

  “I…uh…no…” she sighs.

  “You sure?”

  “Maybe?”

  “Do tell.”

  “I’ll show you to the waiting room first.”

  “As you wish.” I follow her through a maze of hallways and elevators. After ten minutes we reach a quiet waiting room. Thinking about it, Charline was in this very room a few months ago, waiting to hear if Aleck would make it or not. It’s fucking crazy how life keeps repeating itself, especially when you’re in a MC.

  I wish they had fucking alcohol or beer in their vending machines instead of crappy hospital coffee, but I suppose it will have to do. I get myself one and sit in one of the uncomfortable looking chairs. “So, why were you following me?” I say taking a sip and frown.

  “Yeah, not the best coffee.” She takes a deep breath. “I just…I don’t know how to say this, I’m going to sound totally stupid.”

  “Not judging you Hun, but if you want sex with a biker, I’m not the guy for you. That’s my woman in that surgery room fighting for her life, I’m not about to cheat on her.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask for sex, well not from you anyway.”

  “Oh, tell me more.” I smirk, trying to relax, clear my mind and stay positive as Bennett suggested, but it’s fucking hard.

  “Well, I live next door to Ryan, and I think he’s in your club, if I remember the cut correctly.”

  “You are correct. So you’re the sweet, innocent neighbour he’s been obsessing about?” I can’t help but snicker.

  “Wait…what?” She looks at me dumbfounded.

  I shrug. “He might be a fucking flirt and hit on anything that has tits and ass, but he’s been talking a lot about you, looks like you caught his eye as well. What can I help you with though?”

  “I…uh…well…”

  “Yes? I’m not going to judge you, so fire away.” I frown as I swallow another sip of the terrible coffee, making her laugh.

  “Well, I know you guys aren’t saints, but I’ve never seen him bring a woman home, and I was wondering if you knew if he had anyone and maybe what he liked. I know I sound lame and inexperienced, but I’ve been through…let’s just say, I haven’t been lucky when it comes to good guys I’ve been dating and well, I thought that maybe going for a ‘bad guy’ would make me happy.” She shrugs. She’s adorable. I can see why Ryan likes her.

  “Ryan is as single as they come. He’s troubled for sure but that’s for him to tell you about, I think you could be good for him. But I don’t know how you would handle club life, but if you’re willing to try, I’m sure you two could work things out. You look all sweet and innocent, he loves that in a woman but you need to have a strong character to be able to handle a biker. We can be a bit rough around the edges.”

  “I’m stronger than I look and I’m not going to let another man walk all over me, not anymore.” Her breath hitches realizing what she let slip.

  “A man put his hands on you?” I walk over to her and sit in the chair next to her. I don’t know her from Adam but I hate the thought of someone putting their hands on her, she’s too nice to be treated like shit.

  She nods. “Not just one.” She sighs.

  “That shit doesn’t sit right with us, we respect our women. Ryan will treat you the way a woman deserves to be treated, with love, care and respect. If any of them are still bothering you, talk to Ryan or me. We’ll sort it.”

  “Why?” She looks up at me with a mix of fear and trust showing on her face.

  “Because anyone hurting an innocent woman doesn’t deserve to live. That’s why,” I say, maybe a bit too fiercely as she blanches.

  She quickly recovers and raises her eyebrow at me. “For all you know, I could be one of the bad guys.”

  “Devil in disguise? Trust me, just been through that shit. Besides, Ryan has been keeping tabs on you, just don’t tell him I said that.” I can’t help but smirk and she laughs.

  “He has? My lips are sealed.” She smiles, “Thank you and I might take you up on that offer one day.” She sighs.

  “Here.” I scribble mine and Ryan’s phone numbers on a piece of paper. “If you need help. Call him first, if he doesn’t answer, call me and one of us will find you.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles shyly.

  “My pleasure. Don’t play us though, you’ll be the one left on your own otherwise. Not a threat, just a warning.”

  “Trust me, I know not to mess with you guys.”

  “How do you know?” I raise my eyebrow at her and rub my face, feeling faint, I’m gonna pass out.

  “Well considering your girlfriend and best friend were sho- are you alright?” She looks at me worried.

  “Dizzy.” I try to get up, but quickly fall back into the chair.

  “Were you shot too?” She starts to look over my body for any wound.

  “Stabbed in the back.” I groan as she touches the spot.

  “Why didn’t you say so sooner!?” she asks, freaking out.

  “Kinda forgot with my woman being shot.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She rushes out and a few seconds after, I lose consciousness.

  I hear a beeping sound that’s annoying the shit out of me, the room is dark and I have no idea where I am or what’s happened. I try to open my eyes, but they are so heavy. I feel a hand resting on my arm. Who can it be? I know it’s not Viv. Viv. I hope she’s made it out of surgery alright.

  “Gabriel, open your eyes. I know you’re conscious,” a faint voice says. The nurse from earlier. I wish I knew her name. This is frustrating. Why am I in a fucking hospital bed? I try again to open my eyes but the light is burning. “You can do it, Gabriel.”

  “G-Gabe,” I say, my voice raspy.

  “What?” she asks confused.

  “C-call me G-Gabe.”

  “Alright, Gabe. Open your eyes for me. You’re talking so you can do it.” She giggles to herself.

  “Light.” I frown, well I guess I’m frowning.

  “What about it?”

  “Too much.”

  “Sorry.” I hear her move around before she comes back to me. “You can open your eyes now.” I try hard for a few minutes and finally manage to keep them open. I look around, completely confused.

  “What happened and how do you know my name?” I clear my throat, looking around the room.

  “Your wallet, sorry, had to look through it and you sustained a stab wound to your shoulder and didn’t get it checked, you lost more blood than you thought and you passed out.”

  I groan. “Please, don’t tell any of my friends, they’ll make fun of me,” I whine, sound like a fucking child.

  “Too late Brother.” Aleck chuckles and walks towards me. “How do you feel?”

  “Fuckin rough. Where’s Viv? How is she?” I look between Aleck and the nurse.

  “In ICU, she’ll be there for a couple of days,” she says softly.

  “I-is she going to be okay?”

  “She should be, yes. She’s in good hands. The surgery was difficult, but they managed to stop the bleeding and fix any damage caused by the bullet. It didn’t touch her heart so she should be fine.” She smiles softly at me.

  “Right.” I sigh and rub my face.

  “She will be okay, Brother. I made it, so she can too; she’s tougher than me.” Aleck pats my arm in support.

  “That she is.” I sigh. “When can I go see her?”

  “We can get you in a wheelchair and take you to her now.”

  “Why can’t I walk? And what’s your name? I just realized I never asked you.”

  “Charlotte, and because you’re still too weak. Don’t make me be mean to you.” She glares at me.

  “Alright. I’ll behave.” Aleck bursts out laughing.

  “When did you ever behave?” He shakes his head.

  “You’re lucky I’m not allowed up or I’d fucking kick your ass.” I glare at him which only makes him laugh more. “Dickhead.”

  “Ah, you love me. Come on, I’ll
bring you to her.” He smiles and helps me into the wheelchair.

  “This is fucking embarrassing.” I frown.

  “Being in a wheelchair?” Charlotte looks at me, clearly judging me.

  “No, this stupid gown is! My ass is hanging out!” I pull on it and it almost comes undone.

  “Fuck’s sake Brother, don’t fucking moon me.” Aleck laughs from behind me and I wanna slap him on the head so fucking badly, but my shoulder hurts and I can’t reach him.

  “Easy you two.” Charlotte giggles and leads the way to the ICU.

  Once we get to the ICU, we’re told to put on special sterile outfits and I’m happy to see that pants are included in the ensemble. Aleck helps me get changed before wheeling me to Viv’s bed.

  She already looks small on a normal day but on this big hospital bed, she looks fucking tiny. She is paler than usual and all the tubes and machines she’s hooked up to are making me feel uneasy and fucking worried.

  It took me long enough to admit it to myself and to Viv. I am not letting her go anywhere. She has to pull through, not just for our sakes but so Annie and Jared don’t fucking win. It would be the final straw to know that even when done, they still have the power to separate us.

  A lot of people would be fucking crushed if she doesn’t make it, Ayden and Ant, the club, my sister too. She really took a shine to Viv. After Annie, I never brought women home anymore, but whenever I was out with the flavor of the day and we happened to see Nic, she would give me a disapproving look and look disgusted at the woman, which often resulted in me having a massive case of blue balls because they thought I was a fucking cheat. Nic would always give her opinion, they were never nice, but I couldn’t blame her, I used to bring home the sluttiest women I could find.

  I hold Viv’s small, pale hand in mine. I smile at the contrast. My hands are rough, huge and tanned in comparison to hers. She’s not cold as I thought she would be. That must be a good sign. I can’t even begin to imagine the turmoil she’s going through in her subconscious.

  I’m still can’t wrap my head around Annie faking her death as a way to get out from under Viv’s shadow, when in reality, Viv was the one who felt insecure.