Viper went behind the bar to pour himself a whiskey. “You want one Shade? Rider?”
“I’ll take one,” Shade said, grabbing a stool.
“Rider?”
“Pour me one.” Rider placed the cue on the pool table, walking to the bar. “No fun playing by yourself.”
“You cleaned everyone out on payday.” Viper took a sip of his drink, hearing a loud noise from outside.
Setting the glass on the top of the bar, the men stared at each other.
“You hear something?” Looking at the glass, he saw the whiskey in his glass jumping at the same time as the liquor bottles started clinking together on the shelf.
“A car wreck?” Rider guessed.
Jesus slammed the door open. “Viper, there was an explosion somewhere on the mountain. I hear the fire trucks coming this way.”
Viper, Shade, and Rider ran outside to look off the porch as the only two firetrucks in Treepoint flew past, followed by an ambulance with the lights on, hot on its tail, then Knox’s Bronco rounding the corner, catching up fast.
Viper reached for his phone, pressing Knox’s number. “What happened?” he asked.
Disconnecting the call, he started issuing orders. “Call all the brothers; we have to go. Shade, Rider, get what you think we’ll need. There’s been an explosion.”
Shade was already sending the mass text to get the brothers on their bikes as they started running down the steps.
Viper was the first one to get his leg over his seat.
“Where was the explosion?” Shade asked, getting on his bike.
“The Colemans’. Shade, there’s a casualty.”
Reaper pressed the button to close the hatch of the Escalade. Sniffing the air, he smelled smoke. Many of the mountain people burned off their brush or excess trash.
Settled in the front seat, he took out his phone and saw he had missed over twenty-four calls. Looking at his phone, realized he must have accidently put his phone on silent. Making sure none had been from Ginny, he called Viper.
“What’s—”
Reaper jumped at Viper’s shout coming from the other end.
“Where in the fuck have you been!”
“I was at the store. What in the fuck is wrong?”
“I thought you were dead!” Viper’s voice broke. “There’s been an explosion at Silas’s property. Go to the hospital. I’m on my way.”
Reaper had already started the car after hearing “go the hospital.” He peeled out of the store parking lot, driving the five miles to the hospital at breakneck speed.
Parking the Escalade, he was sick at the thought of Silas or one of Ginny’s brother being hurt. He had called Ginny twice to see if she was still shopping with Trudy or if she was already at the hospital. Thinking he should call the club to see if she was there and to tell her to stay put until he could come get her, he parked the car and decided he’d call after he found out the news.
The automatic door slid open when he walked in, allowing him into the emergency room. He was heading for the desk when he saw all of Ginny’s brothers and the Porters standing out in the long hallway.
Reaper slowed as they turned to face them. All their faces and clothes were covered in dark soot. However, it was their expressions that had him not wanting to take another step.
Silas didn’t give him a choice. As he walked to meet him, Reaper knew it wasn’t going to be good.
“What happened?” Reaper managed to croak out, his throat so tight that the words barely sounded.
“There was an explosion at your and Ginny’s house.”
Reaper felt a numbness washing over him, as if preparing him for the next words.
“That’s okay as long as nobody’s been hurt. I’ll get the brothers clearing—”
“Reaper,” Silas stopped him. “Ginny was in the house when it exploded.”
“No.” Reaper shook his head. “Ginny’s with Trudy. She’s terrible about answering her phone.”
“She was inside the house. Greer and I were the ones who pulled her out.”
“I want to see her.” Reaper went toward the door the men were standing in front of.
Silas grabbed his arm. “They’ll come and get us when they’re ready. They had to call for a specialist.”
“For what?”
“Her body is burned over eighty percent. She’s been shot. Ginny’s brain dead.”
“No, she isn’t.”
“Reaper, they’re waiting for the other doctor to come in. If there isn’t brain activity, they want to shut off the machine.”
“You’re not fucking taking her off the machine!” he shouted, taking a step back from Silas.
Greer was leaning against the wall. Walking toward him, Reaper grabbed his shirt. “Fix her.”
“I tried. There’s nothing left.” Greer’s face was already haggard. “Her spirit was already gone when we got there.”
“Try again,” Reaper pleaded. “Greer, she’s carrying my baby … Please, I’m begging you.”
“I would if I could.”
“I’ll pay whatever you want—Viper will give me some money … Anything you want. All you have to do is ask.” Tears coursed down his cheeks, but Reaper didn’t care. He couldn’t survive without Ginny. She was his anchor.