It was funny how time passed quickly when lives were on the line. I could still remember the day my father died. It felt as if it were yesterday. Everything happened so fast. One minute I was hugging him goodbye. The next, I was standing next to his casket. Everything that occurred in-between was a blur.
I didn’t know how long I stayed outside, but I found Reaper sitting alone when I returned to the waiting room with his head in his hands. I didn’t want to intrude on his solitude, but I refused to let this opportunity pass me by.
Walking over to him, I began, “Reaper? I reserved the nearest hotel for all the men. There will be fresh clothes and toiletries for all of them. My boys will drive them over there so they can shower and change. I’ve talked with the local sheriff, and they are willing to let your involvement at the compound slip under the radar for a small donation. I took care of that. The people there have all been sent to neighboring hospitals and are receiving treatment. Their families are being notified as we speak. What can I do for you?”
“Layla?”
“Perfectly safe and cared for,” I said, taking the seat next to him. “I thought it best not to call her until we knew more about her brother.”
“I agree.”
“Layla is a wonderful woman. I am happy to help Dylan’s sister.”
“My sister too. Layla is also my sister, technically my niece, but she’s family. That’s all that matters.” So that was the big mystery. Reaper was related to Dylan, and he didn’t want anyone knowing he had a sister out there. Made sense. I would do and say anything to protect Illyria. Yet, I knew there was more to this story, looking at the man.
I smiled, cocked my head, and replied. “This I did not know.”
“Well, now you do. So, what’s it gonna cost me.”
“Like I said, Reaper, I want nothing for protecting your sister. However, for taking in Reginald and Dwayne, well, that’s another matter.”
“Fuck,” the man moaned, hanging his head. “What did those fuckers do?”
I chuckled. It was nice to know that my cousins didn’t only give me a hard time. Apparently, they didn’t discriminate.
“They asked me to protect them too.”
“Look, Gio, I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. You kind of caught me at a bad time. Is there any way we can table this discussion for a later time?”
I looked at Reaper for a few seconds, then nodded. “As I said before, I am here to help. What is it you need to clear your plate, so we can have this discussion?”
“You wouldn’t happen to have a time machine, would you,” Reaper grinned.
I chuckled. “No, but I do have resources at your disposal. Say the word, and I will ensure it happens.”
“Thank you.”
“Maxwell Doherty?”
Jumping to his feet, Reaper walked towards an older man dressed in scrubs. He looked exhausted, and from the look in his eyes, I knew he was about to give Reaper some bad news. Shaking my head, I too walked over to the man as Reaper stated, “Doc, if you are here to tell me that my brother is dead, you can just leave. I already have to bury his wife, don’t make me bury him too.”
“He’s alive,” the doctor quickly said.
His body sagged as I quickly grabbed him before he fell to the floor. “He’s alive?”
“Yes, but he won’t be for long. Look, Mr. Doherty, when the bullet entered your brother’s chest, it broke apart. I was able to get all the fragments out but one. One of the fragments went straight into his heart. There is no way I can safely repair that without killing him. Right now, your brother is on bypass. I have notified UNOS, and your brother is at the top of the list. He needs a heart transplant. Without it, he will die.”
Reaper nodded as worry crept into my soul.
This was not good.
“It is my understanding that his wife was also brought into the hospital. Is that correct?”
Oh, dear God.
I knew what the doctor was insinuating.
He couldn’t mean to…