“Lio said that it’s life-threatening,” Clio declared before dissolving into tears.
Chance rushed to her as the brothers moved past him, heading in the same direction Big Al was. His heart froze in his chest as he tried to ignore the fact Tati might be dying. Phoe’s eyes met his, and Chance tilted his head.
“Fanatic! Take your mother!” Chance bellowed as he soothed Clio. He needed to be there with his brothers, but he had to calm Clio first. What he hadn’t had time to announce was Clio was pregnant again.
“Phoe, go!” Chance ordered.
Puzzlement crossed Phoe’s face, and understanding lit her eyes.
“Settle her down, Chance; we’ll meet you at the hospital,” Phoe said and hurried to Fanatic, who was waiting for her. Phoe swung up behind her beloved son and called Drake.
Chapter One.
Big Al.
He parked his bike near the police line and jogged towards it. Over the heads of the crowd watching, he could see Tati’s Mercedes crushed against a truck, the front caved in, and two steel rods going through the windscreen. Fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance remained nearby. Firefighters swarmed all over Tati’s car. A cop stood in his way, and Big Al shoved past him. Vaguely, he heard Harleys arriving, and footsteps pounded behind him. His gaze was focused on the glimpse of blonde hair in the vehicle.
“Stop!” Lio Hawthorne said, stepping in front of him.
Big Al was going to barge past, and Hawthorne body-checked him. He turned a murderous look on the man, stopping him from reaching his beloved wife. A meaty hand rose and shoved Lio two steps as Big Al barrelled towards Tatiana.
“You’ll kill her!” Lio exploded as he got back in Big Al’s way. A slender figure darted between them, and Phoe placed herself firmly in Big Al’s path.
“What?” Big Al bellowed. Lio took a deep breath.
“They are cutting Tati out now. If you interfere and shove them aside, she will die. They’ve stabilised Tati; a doctor was passing and stopped to offer aid.” Lio pointed at the car, and Phoe craned her neck to see a man in blue scrubs.
Big Al rubbed the back of his head as he offered Lio a death stare.
“Ain’t stopping me from reaching the love of my life, Lio,” Big Al warned.
“If you go over and shove those guys aside, Tati will bleed out. Listen to me; every single one is there to help Tati. Even taking the place of one could put Tati in greater danger. I know you need to be with her, but you can’t until they free Tati. Let them work, and once she’s on a gurney, you can join her. Seriously, Al, they are trying to save her, and you will hinder their efforts. If you want Tati to live, leave them alone!” Lio said in a rush.
“Is Tati awake?” Big Al asked Lio, his eyes searching for any signs of life. The firemen were now slicing through the steel bar, but the blonde head didn’t move. He felt helpless as he stared at the wreck containing his sole reason for living.
“No, she was when I reached her Big Al, but she drifted off. That’s a good thing because even though they’re cutting the bars gently, the vibrations would still hurt her,” Lio said softly.
“What’s her chances of survival?” Big Al demanded, and Lio gazed steadily at him.
“Better, if you let them work without interference. She’s not got great odds, but Tati is a fighter, as you know. But to help her fight, they must move freely and not worry that a fuckin’ biker will put a gun to their head!” Lio retorted.
A cry sounded from Tati’s vehicle, and Big Al craned his neck and saw Miguel, Lio’s cousin, yank part of the bar out of the window. The firefighters began cutting through the second.
Miguel dumped the pole on the ground, jogged around and climbed in the rear of the Mercedes. As Miguel checked something hidden by the car door, Phoe had her palms on Big Al’s chest. Miguel gave a thumbs up, shouted and moved behind Tati, and they saw his hands reach up.
As they watched, minutes ticked by. A fireman yelled, and the second bar was yanked free.
The doctor and paramedics swarmed the motor as Miguel held Tati still. They examined her before stepping away. The doc shoved his head into where Miguel was sitting and nodded. Big Al stood frozen as firefighters cut off the top of the car and removed it. He could now see glimpses of his wife’s bloodied face.
Phoe kept him back when he took a step forward, and Big Al glanced down into her eyes. Damn that woman! Phoe knew he wouldn’t hurt her and purposely put herself in his way. His hand shot out, and Big Al yanked Phoe into him. Phoe didn’t hesitate to wrap herself around his body and offer comfort.
Minutes passed, and Big Al despaired that they’d ever get Tati removed from the motor when shouts sounded, and Big Al saw them moving her car seat. The doctor and paramedics crowded the scene as they raced into action. Firefighters held the ends of the cut rods going into Tati’s body. Miguel and another fireman had cut the bottom of the seat free. As one, they moved Tati, the remaining poles, and the back of the chair. Hurriedly, they turned Tati and laid her sideways on the gurney.
Big Al paled as he realised his wife had two poles through her torso. One through her shoulder and the other through her stomach. They were about four inches in diameter, and Big Al wondered if his precious woman was alive. The paramedics and doctor raced to the ambulance, and Lio hurried toward them.
“My car now! They’re working on stabilising Tati and can’t have you in there. Big Al, I can get you to the hospital quicker with sirens,” Lio called.
Big Al didn’t hesitate and rushed to Lio’s unmarked with Phoe on his heels. Lio leapt in, started the engine, and hauled ass after the ambulance, which was pulling out. Lio stayed on the ambulance, rushing through red lights, his own sirens mixing with the ambulance’s, warning people of an emergency coming through. They arrived in record time, and Lio jumped out at the entrance and let Phoe and Big Al out of the rear.