I gently touch his cheek and smile through my tears. “It’s me, Riley.” My tears dip down onto his hospital gown, overcome with the feelings in this moment. “I missed you so much,” I whisper.
He lifts his hands, wincing in pain and touches my face. “I ached for you every second I was gone.”
“Are you okay?” I ask, closing my eyes briefly against his touch.
“Broken ribs, concussion, and lots of cuts and bruising.” I choke back a sob and even in all the pain he’s in, he smirks. “I’m going to be fine, baby girl. I’m alive, I’m free, and I have you. I need to heal quickly because my dick is not injured and he’s just as happy to see you.”
I laugh lightly, shaking my head. “I can take care of that for you when you’re ready,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.
His smirk disappears as he takes me in. “Did they take care of you?”
I nod, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “They did.”
“I’m on lots of pain medicine so when I pass out don’t think it’s cause I’m not fucking happy you’re here,” he mumbles.
I smile and kiss his hand. “I think the guys want to talk to you before you pass back out. You okay with that?”
“Yeah.”
I open the door and they are all standing there. I nod and they rush in, surrounding his bed. There’s a lot of cursing, talking, anger, and sadness. I lean against the wall and watch them interact. They all look dejected as they ask about his injuries. The love they have for each other is something that not many people get in this life. He’s lucky, they all are, to have each other. And I’m lucky to be a part of it, as small as that part is.
“Gillian, will you please wait outside?” Brooks asks.
“No, she stays. She’s not leaving my side,” Riley hisses.
r /> “Riley, it’s club business,” Zane says.
I feel like I should just leave, but Riley turns his head to me. “Get over here.”
I look around and Brooks sighs. “Fucking hell, fine.”
I rush over and grab his hand. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it. “This involves her as much as us. Don’t act like Harper and Ivy haven’t sat in with us.”
Zane and Kace look at each other and grin. I guess they have.
“It’s getting worse. Agent McKay has a new dirty agent that is eager to help. It’s why I’m out. He said he’d lose the evidence if I agreed to continue helping McKay. We need to figure something out and fast.” Riley says.
Brooks sighs as he scrubs his face. “Fuck.”
My heart sinks and I feel a tear run down my cheek. I can’t lose him again. I lift my head looking at each of them, begging them silently to come up with something. My eyes connect with Finn’s and he nods.
He steps forward and rubs his hand down his mouth. “I have someone who can help.” Everyone jerks their heads toward him and he shrugs. “I’ve been seeing someone for a while now and she’s got some big connections. Federal agent connections. She can help.”
“Who?” Brooks asks.
“Mia Woodward.”
They all look around and Riley chuckles, groaning just as quickly. “The chick from California? Ivy’s friend?”
Finn rubs the back of his neck, keeping his head down. “Yeah.”
Brooks looks at Ezno and they have some kind of silent talk. “Let’s set it up.”
I close my eyes, feeling relief for the first time in weeks. When I open them Finn is staring at me and I smile, mouthing the words, thank you.
“Mia Woodward?” Porter asks. His eyes crash to Finn’s and he shakes his head. “That’s my daughter.”
Chapter 19