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We all wait until Brick comes out, followed by Dingo.
“Well, let’s go meet the three new pains in my ass.”
With that everyone laughs, as Francis grabs Dingo close on one side and me on the other, with Joey in my arms. Damien is walking next to Dingo holding his hand. I know why too. My son has such a soft heart.
CELESTINA
Struggling for some reason,I can’t open my eyes. I can hear beeping and some noise from a distance, but that doesn’t help me to know where I’m at. Then I feel someone holding my hand, a finger moving on top of it in a soothing motion. From deep inside I know it’s Frank. When I saw him outside, yeah, I’m in the hospital, that’s right. He came up to me all worried and, me being me, I pushed him away.
Though after I thought about it for a quick minute, he didn’t do anything that I wouldn’t have done in the same situation. I should have told him everything, including me taking that money out gave the vultures what they needed. A way to get at my father’s fortune.
My head is pounding and I don’t have the energy to go over this with Frank. Only good thing is my wrist doesn’t hurt at all. When I try to wiggle my fingers that hand squeezes gently.
“Celee, sweetheart, don’t move your fingers. Come on, I know you’re awake. Please open those gorgeous eyes so I can apologize for being a total fuckup. I was wrong, should have let you talk, but instead acted like a spoiled brat who didn’t get his way. Please, sweetheart, don’t give up on me. I swear to God I’ll try to do better. Celee, don’t give up on me. I promised to help you and that’s what I’m gonna do.”
There is no way in hell I can stay mad at him when he sounds like a little boy. Then it dawns on me. Frank’s childhood was bad, his words. He never really had a family ’til the Grimm Wolves, and even then he’s put himself in the position of the clown. I lightly squeeze his hand and he drops his head on top of our hands. My fingers of their own will tousle through his hair. That’s the last thing I remember before the dark drags me under.
Next time I’m conscious, Frank’s still holding my hand, head on our hands. I think he fell asleep like that. This time I’m able to open my eyes, feels like someone wiped the goop from them. My room is getting dark, though the drapes are still open. When I look around, I let out a scream when I see a figure in the corner, sitting. When it stands, I squeeze Frank’s hand, who in turn jumps outta his chair. Then the little light above my bed shows it’s Chains.
“Well, damn it, Chains, you scared the crap out of me.”
All he does is look at me with those deep emerald eyes of his. It’s like he can see into my soul. Before either of us can say a word, Frank gets into Chains’s face.
“Motherfucker, get out, you ain’t welcome in this room. See Celee lying there? She’s there because of you, asshole.”
I can see the restraint in Chains’s entire body, and I know it’s a matter of seconds before he kills Frank.
“Frank, come here. No, please come here, it’s not his fault or anyone’s. It’s an accident, that’s all. Come on, sit and let’s see what Chains wants, okay?”
Frank is also on the verge of losing his shit. I know it because I’m talking to him and, barely listening, he gives in and walks back to me, sitting next to the bed. He gently grabs my good hand. We both wait on Chains, who is looking at our entwined hands.
“Dingo, is right, it’s my fault. With all the shit that’s been on Brick’s mind, not a smart move to crack him across the face. And I also forgot about his right cross. Not why I’m here. Celestina, I’ve already talked to the administration, they will be sending the bill to me, it’s handled. Also I will take care of your physical therapy if needed. Now Winnie, Jackson, and I would love you to stay with us during your recovery, but that asswipe there said you’d rather stay where you are. That choice is yours, just want you to know you have options.
“Finally, and I know this will piss you off, but I put a call out to your crazy as fuck cousin, Shadow. No one thinks it’s a good idea to have you trying to lure all the assholes out in the open with your injury. Fury and I talked about it, and Jackson put his lawyer two cents in. Shadow is on her way here and the purpose is she will play you. No, don’t argue, please. It’s for the best. And we need to get this done sooner rather than later. This will allow you to recover without any stress in your life. Well, that only works if you drop this son of a bitch.”
Knowing Chains is just trying to poke at Frank, I again keep a firm grasp on his hand. I take a minute or two to think on what Chains said.
“Chains, thank you, but I’m fucked. As soon as I was registered as Celestina De Luca my death warrant was signed.”
“This isn’t our first, how do they say, yeah, this ain’t our first rodeo. You were registered under an alias.”
That makes my heart happy because it gives me a bit of wiggle room.
“Awesome, thanks. I know I’d have never thought of that. So yeah, not happy about Shadow being involved. She’s been through enough already. But I’m sure she’s on her way so nothing I can do about that. As far as staying with you, can I get back to you on that? Frank and I have some talking to do, but I’m already exhausted so need to take a little nap first. And, Chains, quit beating yourself up, could have been anyone. You didn’t purposely throw me across a room, did you? Nope, that would have been my father, back in the day, so let this go. I appreciate your kindness, tell Winnie and Jackson thank you from me.”
With that he gives me a chin lift, Frank the finger, and leaves the room quietly. Way too silent for such a large man.
“How does he move like that, no sound at all?”
Frank looks at me then at the door.
“That’s what Chains does. Not sure how, Celee. That was nice of you to let him off that easy. You could have asked for anything and he’d have given it to you.”
“I know but, Frank, listen to me, first, he’s your club brother and, second, he’s a member. Chains didn’t mean for me to get hurt. Drop it, will you please? Now we need to talk but I’m seriously in need of a nap. Can we talk when I wake up again?”
He says nothing, just nods. Grateful for that, I close my eyes, and I bet in under two minutes I’m out again.
* * *
