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“They’ll be out soon, I’m sure of it,” Adalyn says. “Waiting for news is the hardest part. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. Waiting for Axel, Zane’s father, to get in touch was gut wrenching. We didn’t have cell phones and it was a very long waiting game.”
“Adalyn, you forget how involved you were in this club until Axel died. Please stop trying to scare these girls with your fears,” Nora says.
Harper laughs and we all look at her. She shrugs saying, “Adalyn remembers, she just likes to pretend she doesn’t.”
They continue talking but I can’t stay focused on it. I know they are all trying to be sympathetic or understanding, but right now nothing helps.
My leg bounces under the table and the door finally opens. I jump up as they all head toward the table. I glance at the girls, seeing the worry in their eyes and I blow out a breath. Brooks stands in front of me and Finn wraps his arm around me. Fuck, he’s dead.
The tears start as I lift my gaze to Brooks. He nods, running his hands through his hair. “Riley was attacked. He’s alive and on his way to the hospital. They had to let him go for lack of evidence, so he’ll be coming home.”
My knees give out and Finn catches me. “He’s alive?” I whisper, crying.
“He’s alive,” Finn says.
I nod as he lowers me into the chair. “I need to see him. I need to go to the hospital.”
“We all are going to head over. Finn will drive you. Just take a minute to calm down,” Brooks says.
I wipe my eyes and look around. They all stare at me and I suddenly feel like the weak girl they are expecting to break. Riley needs me and if I want to be a part of this life, I need to learn how to deal with this shit better. I need to be stronger.
I stand up and swallow, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I’m good, let’s go.”
Ivy leaves the baby with Adalyn, but the rest of us rush out the door. I climb into the passenger side of the van as Finn gets into the driver’s side.
He’s alive.
Once we get on the road Finn glances my way and gives me a tight smile. “You were right.”
“About what?” I ask.
“You said this would happen and you fought to make everyone take action. It’s pretty fucking impressive,” he says.
I shake my head, looking out the side window. “No, it wasn’t me. Riley told me it would happen. He knew.” I blink back the tears that are swimming in my eyes and turn to look at him. “How bad is it?”
He shrugs, glancing at me before focusing back on the road. “The lawyer said it’s pretty bad, so you should probably prepare yourself,” he whispers.
Of course, it’s bad. He got jumped in jail, that doesn’t usually mean a few bumps and bruises. My head spins with all the emotions I feel. I’m scared, relieved, sad, excited.
I snap my head to Finn, grabbing his arm. “What now?”
His eyebrows dip as he says, “What do you mean?”
“What’s the plan? How do we make sure he doesn’t go back? He’s out now, I won’t survive if he goes back in. So, what’s the plan?” I rush out.
He blows out a breath and turns into the hospital parking lot. “I don’t know yet.”
Frustrated, I smack my hands against the dash and groan. “He’s in the hospital because he did everything in his fucking power to keep us all safe. What the hell are you guys doing to protect him!”
Finn doesn’t say anything and I jump out of the van once it’s parked. We walk into the hospital in silence, go up to his room in silence, and stand outside his door in silence.
Finn touches my back and I jump. “Relax, just go in and see him. I’ll keep everyone out until you’re done.”
My legs shake as I push myself forward. My heart pounds, my stomach churns, and my body trembles. I get to his bed and the emotions I pushed down tear through me. I bend over and bury my face in the pillow next to his head. He looks awful, but I’m so thankful that he’s here. I can’t stop the sob that escapes when I feel his body heat and smell his scent.
“Baby girl?” he whispers.
I lift my head and stare down at him. One eye is swollen shut and the other is slightly open. He’s got cuts all over his face, marring his handsome face. A bandage wraps around his head, making him look even more injured.
