Page 99 of Texting the Wrong Bikers

“Does Owen know what happened?” The aching yearning to see my son is overwhelming, but I also don’t want to scare him by seeing me in the hospital like this.

“He knows you’re safe,” Shadow assures me. “We figured it was best to tell him as little as possible for the moment. All he knows is that Mommy had to go to the hospital.”

I nod, breathing out slowly and sinking back down onto the pillows. “Good. That’s good.” I know that Owen must have sensed something was wrong, but if I can shield him from the worst of this, I will.

“Ethan and Brielle are there too,” Dash adds, briefly explaining how they helped figure out that it was Tyler who took me, and that Ethan had found out Tyler’s address.

“We feel terrible for how we treated Ethan,” Shadow says quietly. “You were right to be mad at us for it.”

I blink, surprised by the turn of events. I try to find the words to express how I feel. How grateful I am to them for saving my life. How much I regret ever walking out on them. How much I care about them all. “Thank you. I understand why you did what you did; Ethan will too, I hope, given time.” I look between each of them as I speak. “I’m so sorry I left. I’m sorry for everything.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Trigger says, stroking my hand.

“No, I do. You were just trying to protect me, and look what happened. Owen could have been left without a mother because of my stupidity, my stubbornness, my refusal to let you protect me your way.”

“None of this is your fault,” Chief says fiercely, eyes burning.

Shadow nods. “The only person to blame is Tyler. You shouldn’t have needed protection in the first place.”

I nod slowly, willing myself to believe it. “What happens now?”

“Well, the police will want to interview you, and the doctor will probably want to keep you in for a couple of days,” Chief takes a deep breath, “But after that, you’ll be free to go home. Tyler isn’t getting out of jail any time soon, not with all the evidence against him. You’re safe, Sadie. It’s over.”

I lie there processing his words. It’s finally over. I can go home. “But what if my house doesn’t feel like home anymore?”

Identical looks of surprised hopefulness cross the guys’ expressions, and I feel an overwhelming desire to kiss all of them for that raw, unfiltered emotion that gives me the courage to continue. “What if my home is with you all, with the Wild Riders?”

There’s a pause, as if they can’t quite believe it.

Dash speaks first, breaking into his signature grin. “Well, of course it is!”

Trigger leans down and kisses me. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that.”

“You have a home at the Wild Riders for as long as you want. You and Owen are family,” Shadow says softly.

“Even if I don’t sign the contract to be your old lady?” I ask, glancing over at Chief.

“Fuck the contract. You’re our old lady, all four of us. We don’t need a piece of paper to know that.” Chief stands, wincing as he walks over to me. “Do you want that?”

Shadow frowns. “Chief, she doesn’t have to answer that right now.”

Trigger shoots Shadow a filthy look.

I smile at him, grateful for his looking out for me. “It’s okay, Shadow; I want to answer. After everything that’s happened, I’ve never felt clearer about what I want. I’m tired of second-guessing it or worrying about what others think. I’m falling for each of you, and I want to be with you all.”

Trigger whoops, hollering like he’s just won the lottery. “Fuck yeah!” he cries, making all of us laugh. If I weren’t in a hospital bed right now, I think he’d be spinning me around the room.

The guys’ enthusiastic kisses and gentle hugs are like a balm for my soul. Their excited chatter attracts the attention of a stern-faced nurse who bustles in and scolds them. The guys are cowed like schoolboys. “Sorry, ma’am,” they mutter, staring at their feet, making me grin.

The nurse shoos Chief, Shadow, and Trigger outside. Dash remains behind waiting for patient transport to take him back to his room. They each peck me on the forehead, prompting Dash to ask, “Where’s mine?” Trigger chuckles and wetly kisses Dash’s head. Chief and Shadow affectionately flip him off, grinning as they leave, assuring me they’re right outside.

The nurse checks over my vitals and gives me pain meds, issuing strict instructions to rest. “I’ll be back later with the doctor,” she says with a sniff before flouncing off.

The pain meds soon kick in, and exhaustion overwhelms me as I feel my eyelids getting droopy. “I’m glad you’re okay, Sadie. I don’t know what we would have done if…” Dash says softly. I want to open my eyes to look at him, but they’re so heavy.

“S’okay, you rescued me,” I mutter sleepily.

“You rescued us first.”