“I’m fine, really,” she said.
“And I can take care of her. I have all this spare time on my hands now. I don’t need to answer to anyone. I’m my own man.”
“Really, I don’t want to put anyone out,” she said.
“Let’s take this outside,” Preacher said, getting to his feet.
“I honestly don’t want to cause an argument.”
“You won’t. I’ll handle this.” He gripped Bishop’s shoulders and forced him out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“Let’s not have this conversation here.” Preacher spotted Randall.
He signaled the doctor toward him.
“How can I help?” Randall asked.
“Can Robin go home? To any home she chooses?” Preacher asked.
“So long as she keeps up her physical therapy, rests, and takes it easy, she can do whatever she likes. Make sure she doesn’t overdo it. I trust you’ll keep her safe, Preacher.”
“Awesome. You talk to her about the kind of activity she can do while us boys talk about her living arrangements.”
He shoved them toward the bathroom, which was empty. If it hadn’t been, he’d have kicked out whoever was there out. He was tired of playing these bullshit games.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Bishop asked, pulling away.
Bear leaned up against the sink while Preacher stared at his son.
“I’m trying to find out what game you’re playing.”
“Yeah, I’d like that as well. You’re not a member of the club, nor do you live close by. My daughter needs someone who’s a lot more attentive than you. The moment you want to get your dick hard, everyone else fails to exist in your world. Why the fuck would I trust her with you?”
“Like you’d trust her with my dad?”
Bear said, “He’s not trying to manipulate her.”
“Oh, please, he’s not showing her his true colors. She doesn’t know he’s a cold-blooded killer.”
“You want me to show her your rotting corpse when I’m through with it?” Preacher said. “You’re playing into a lie.”
“What? About her being my wife? Last time I checked, she was my wife, or do you want me to forget about that tiny detail? She’s my wife and I should be the one taking care of her, not you.”
Preacher shook his head about to speak but Bear got there first.
“No matter how much you try, Bishop, you can’t rewrite the past. Robin didn’t love you. Her feelings for you weren’t there. You can try to fight it all you want but it’s not going to change the fact it didn’t happen. She wanted Preacher.”
“Yeah, and you don’t think that’s a little sick? He’s the same age as you. You and Robin never should’ve been together.”
“You’re right. Between me and Robin, it shouldn’t have worked. We’re complete opposites, but it doesn’t change the fact we happened. Robin picked me.”
“Why weren’t you with her that night, Dad? Oh, that’s right, you were too busy killing a cop.”
“You keep speaking up, I’m going to have to cut out your tongue,” he said.
“Go ahead. It will only mean she’ll know what you’re really like.”
Bear sighed. “Robin knew what he was really like, Bishop. You’re acting like a child and I’m not going to let my little girl go with you. In fact, she’s not going to go with either of you. I’m going to take her home with me. That’s final. You can fight with me all you want.”
“What about Rebecca? What are you going to tell her about that?” Bishop asked.
“Your son is a pain in the ass.”
Preacher had heard enough. He left the bathroom and walked down the long corridor to find Randall talking to Robin. She was smiling. He must have told a joke. She was so beautiful. Staring at her, it made him ache to hold her once again.
She looked up toward him and lifted her hand, waving.
Randall got up and came out toward him. “Did you decide on anything?”
“She’s going to live with Bear.”
“It’s probably a good thing. I was talking to one of the brain surgeons. Robin has experienced a trauma before the amnesia, and she also has the loss of her unborn child. He believes both traumas, unless unleashed separately, could have an adverse effect within her body.”
“He wants time.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Everyone always wants time to explore.” He rubbed at his eyes, feeling the beginning of a headache. “Is there a chance anything could go back to normal?”
“You know I can never give you guarantees.”
“I know.”
“I can only hope for you.” Randall looked back into the room. “I’ve seen the x-rays, the scars on her body. I know she’s been through a great deal in the last two years. Her body is all the evidence you need to tell you a tale. She didn’t have it easy.”
“I gathered.”
“She needs you, Preacher. I know you’re having a hard time and Bishop’s trying to insert himself as part of her life, but it’s all lies and you need to recognize it.”