That’s not what hurts the most though. That was seeing my brothers and how they looked at me differently. I knew going into this what would happen. I knew Grunt had to make it look legitimate and he did that for sure—my body can attest to it. My brothers just stood and gawked at me. Not a one came over to check if I was okay. It was expected, but it still burns in my gut. This club was the first place, I ever truly felt accepted, like someone gave a fuck about me. Now it feels like it has all been ripped away. I knew going under cover would be miserable, but feeling like I’ve been shunned by my brothers, is something indescribable.
Just the same, the progress that was made almost makes this shit worth it. Grunt had a prospect hide out to watch for members of the BMRR trespassing. The prospect doesn’t know about our plan, he thought he was just the look out for them crossing boundaries. Their VP Mongrel and some other members were in the same area when Grunt and I got into it. There’s no way the missed the show. They will likely take their information straight to their President, Apex. I hope like fuck this makes them reach out to me. If they don’t I need to figure something else out.
I’ll have to because common sense says I need to stay away from Shelby. The problem is that I just can’t do that. This whole thing feels fucking dirty. I need something that makes me feel clean. That’s my woman. I refuse to put a target on her back, but I think if I put distance between us, we both would hurt.
My mood gets worse when I get to the hospital and don’t see her at her usual station. I know she said she had to work today. I didn’t get to talk to her before I left though. I overslept and had to break records to get to the club on time to get the show started with Grunt.
I wait for one of the two nurses sitting in front of the counter to acknowledge me. I tap my fingers impatiently on the desk, feeling like an ass when one looks up incredulously.
“Can I help you?” she murmurs, looking at my tapping fingers before up at me. The other nurse doesn’t stop to acknowledge me.
“Yeah, I’m Shelby’s man. I came to take her out to lunch,” I tell her with a smile. I pull my hand away from the desk, shoving it in my pocket.
The other one tapping away on the computer freezes pinning me with a stare. “I’m sorry, it’s our understanding that you are not supposed to be around Shelby. This hospital has explicit instructions.”
“You’re mistaken and I want to know where my woman is.”
“I’m not. She asked us months ago that we contact security any time you come here,” she says picking up the phone.
“That’s impossible. I didn’t know Shelby months ago.”
“You’re not Mason?”
“Fuck no.” I grimace when the woman blanches. “I’m not that asshole,” I growl as I take out my ID. Clearly Mason has crossed a line here at Shelby’s work. That motherfucker is mine when I locate him. “If he shows up here, don’t worry about calling security. I’ll leave my number. I promise you I’ll handle him. Where’s Shelby?”
“She’s downstairs in emergency, right now,” the nurse says.
“She’s working there today?” She’s usually only on this floor. I’m sure they bounce around, but she didn’t mention working on a different floor.
“No, there was an accident with her grandmother. She’s in a room down there,” the nurse says with a frown. “It’s—”
I don’t catch what else she’s saying, already rushing to the elevators.
Chapter19
Shelby
Istare around the cold room they’ve assigned my grandmother. It’s all wrong for Grandma Billie. She’s loud and vibrant and full of what my grandfather used to call vinegar and piss. This room is stale and unwelcoming. Grandmother is hooked to oxygen, and for the first time in my life, I can see age creeping in, making her frail.
I haven’t left her side since I arrived. My boss was understanding when I told him I wouldn’t be working my shift today. My worries and fears weren’t erased when I got to her room, but after reading her chart and seeing her alert, I relaxed a fraction. We’re holding hands now and she is awake, but her eyes are closed. She’s got a whopper of a headache, however.
I hear a noise and look up. I’m completely surprised when King fills the doorway. I’ve been really strong in front of my grandmother but as soon as he walks in my eyes go blurry. I blink furiously, swiping at them, trying to gain control of my emotions. He stops by her bedside first, leaning down so he can talk to her gently.
“Hey Miss Billie, how are you doing?” he asks, his deep voice soft.
“I’ve got a whopper of a headache, kid,” my grandmother mumbles.
I don’t like the sight of her hooked up to all the machines, but I know it’s a good thing that they are keeping an eye on everything. Her heart rate, oxygen and bp are all normal and that reassures me too.
King’s presence almost takes over the room, making it feel smaller somehow. He comes to stand next to my chair.
“Come here, baby,” he says, holding out his arms as I stand up and fall into him.
I hear my grandmother whispering the word trouble and his body goes stiff. My grandmother has a look most people wither under. King doesn’t, but it’s easy to tell he doesn’t like it. I can’t gather up the strength to chastise her. I lose myself to the feeling of being in King’s arms. It’s too comforting and I need him. His cologne tickles my nose as I close my eyes, breathing him in. His presence gives me strength.
“How did you know we were here?” I ask, pulling back to look up at him.
“I didn’t. I came here to spend your lunch break with you, but the nurses at your station told me you were down here with Billie.”