I’d read somewhere that someone in a coma was vaguely aware of what was said and done around them. Half the reason I wasn’t gonna go fuck any of the staff in the hospital or whip out my cock for one of those nurses to drop on her knees and worship. There was an intense need to protect Mimi from any harm physically, mentally, and emotionally. We developed a bond in the short time since we’d met.
Wasn’t sure how I felt about her, but I knew we had a connection, and my Reaper was quickly becoming obsessed. I felt his rage renew as the memory of how I found her surfaced, and my fists clenched.
Naomi almost died that night. If I didn’t open the back of Alexi Voltoy’s black SUV and catch her as she fell out, she would have suffocated and died from the combination of the drugs in her system and the fate that awaited her as he drove into the desert to torment her one last time.
Fury rolled over the surface of my skin and I looked down at the young woman who knew far too much of the cruelty of this world.
She would never be that vulnerable again.
"When swarmed by darkness, I’ll be the light.
When doubt surfaces, I’ll keep the faith.
When gripped by rage, I’ll sharpen my skills.
When seeking vengeance, I’ll have no mercy.
When locked in battle, I’ll fear no enemy.
When I face death, I’ll have no repentance.
When my Reaper rides, I will conquer all."
– Patriot, Royal Bastards MC
Mimi didn’t know it yet, but I was going to ensure those fuckers paid for what they did. Solonik and Voltoy were just the beginning. Now that this new Russian Sergei Resnikov had surfaced, I took the threat seriously, knowing he wasn’t the only one that would be out for blood.
No one was coming after my girl.
Since the moment Wraith called and warned me about Resnikov, I knew Mimi was still in danger. Every minute she remained in the hospital increased the possibility that either the Russians or the Scorpions would show up. I had to get her out of here before that happened. Sinking into the chair beside her bed, I lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the top.
“I’m here, sunshine. I’ll avenge you. I swear it. You’ll be safe no matter what.” Swallowing hard, I leaned forward and brushed a strand of long hair away from her face. “I’ll hunt down every single one of those Russian sons-of-bitches until none of them are left.”
Her grip squeezed mine as her eyes fluttered. I swear I saw her blink. Excited, I almost jumped out of my seat.
“Mimi?”
For two seconds, I was the happiest man on earth . . . until the machine next to me went off with a series of beeps and alarms as Mimi’s heart decided to stop beating.
Flatline.
With a roar, I stood fast, yelling for the nurses, doctors, and everyone in the damn vicinity to come running. Her life couldn’t end. This wasn’t okay.
No, not my sunshine.
Anything but this.
I didn’t find her, care for her wounds, and keep her safe, only to watch her fucking die.
The room flooded with nurses as I was pulled toward the door by a bulky dude in a security uniform. Name tag read Kyle. I already wanted to kick his ass for daring to touch my arm.
“Gotta wait out here. Let the staff do their job.”
Pissed, I shrugged him off. “Yeah. I get it, but I’m not goin’ far. Too risky.”
Kyle had the audacity to roll his eyes at me. “I’ll watch over the room.” He gestured down the nearest hall toward the waiting area. “Once she’s stable, one of the doctors will come to speak with you.”
That bullshit might work with most people but not with a Royal Bastard.