Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
My stomach dropped when I heard voices and the faint wail of sirens in the background. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s your mom.” With my heart pounding, I darted to my closet and grabbed some clothes as I listened to him say, “She fell.”
“Oh, no.” I pulled off my robe and started changing as I asked, “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know,” his voice strained. “I found her on the bathroom floor, and she was hurting something awful. I’m afraid she’s broken her hip.”
“Oh, Dad.”
“The ambulance got here about ten minutes ago. They’ve already got her loaded up, and they’re taking her to St. Mary’s,” he went on quickly. “I’m going to head on over there now.”
“Okay,” I answered, steadily changing clothes. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Don’t rush. It’s going to take some time to get her admitted and X-rayed… I don’t want you getting in an accident.”
“Okay. Just let me know where to go when you know.”
“I will.”
The line went dead, and for half a second, I just stood there with my heart racing and my mind trying to play catch-up. Then, everything hit at once.
“Thomas!” I brushed my hair and quickly pulled it into a ponytail before grabbing my shoes. “Thomas! I need you!”
I heard his footsteps coming down the stairs as I grabbed my purse and started for the hall. He rushed up to me and asked, “What’s going on?”
“It’s Nana. She fell this morning, and Papa had to call an ambulance. They’re taking her to the hospital.”
Worry filled his eyes as he asked, “Is she gonna be okay?”
“Yes, honey.” I hoped I wasn’t lying when I said, “She’s going to be okay, but we need to know what’s going on before anyone can help her.”
“Okay.”
“I need you to watch your brother. Just for a little bit.”
“Yeah, I got him.”
“I know you do,” I told him, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself, but I didn’t have time to think. As much as I hated to leave the boys like this, I had to get to the hospital. “Can you call your dad and let him know what’s going on? Tell him he needs to come pick you guys up.”
“Yeah. I’ll call him.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, then rushed down the hall and out to the garage. As soon as I was in the car, I started the engine, and seconds later, I was on the way to the hospital. With every block, I was bombarded with thoughts about my dear, sweet mother.
Her smile.
Her hands.
The way she always smelled like lavender and fresh morning dew.
The softness of her voice when she said, “I love you.” She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like it was something I could always count on. Like I was still her little girl.
The way she laughed without holding back.
And she was always there when I needed her. Always.
She wasn’t just my mom. She was my safe haven, the one person who had never let me feel like I was alone in this world, and now, I was one step closer to losing her.
“Oh, Momma.” I let out a heavy breath, trying to hold back my tears. “I’m not ready to lose you.”
My words hung in the air, heavy and terrifying. I wanted to break down and cry, but I couldn’t. Not now. I swallowed hard, forcing the tears back as I pressed my foot a little harder on the gas.
It was now my turn to be there for my mother the way she’d always been there for me.
15
DRIFTER
It was my first night at the Vault, and I have to say, I was impressed.
It didn’t matter how loud the music or crazy the crowd, the place had its own rhythm. The guys stood watch, maintaining every ounce of control, while folks gathered at their various tables, drinking and cheering the girls on. There was undeniable tension that hummed just under the surface, but I had no doubt that the brothers could handle whatever came their way.
I was at the back, monitoring the rear entrance and the main bar with Memphis and Goose. Memphis stood off to my left with his arms crossed and eyes sharp, while Goose was at my right, leaning against one of the beams like he was just there to keep us company.
Memphis gave me a side-eye and smirked, “I see you broke out your cut.”
“I did.” I rolled my shoulders, feeling the old, familiar tug of the leather. “Figured it was time.”
I’d learned early on that there were fewer questions when I went without it, so I’d always kept my cut stowed in my rear saddlebag. Didn’t mean I didn’t think about it. I’d spent the better part of my life wearing it, and while it had been a while, the damn thing still fit like a glove.