Sleepless Nights(79)

I do know she started trainin’ with Lola and Ryan shortly after she said that. So maybe she meant she could run around fightin’ off bad guys. Like catwoman or some shit. Wait is catwoman even a superhero or was she a bad guy? Who cares? Ashley would look sexy as fuck in a leather suit.

Down boy.

I’m startled from the doorway when a tiny blonde girl runs into the room with tears fallin’ down from her eyes. “Is she going to be okay?” she whispers, her eyes locked on Court’s. When Court just shrugs, the tiny thing falls to the ground and puts her face in her hands. I’m about to lean down when a tall man comes up behind her. I look at his face and do a double take. Then I look over at Rachel who’s watchin’ us. She covers a laugh at the look on my face. “My twin,” she mouths at me before she gets up off the floor.

I might think it’s a horrible way to treat a woman by makin’ her sit on the floor but you should have seen the fight those girls put up. I thought Rachel was gonna smack Court if he didn’t sit in that chair. Paisley just kicked Channing in the shin. Van, bein’ the smart one, just sat down.

“Wesley,” Rachel says, bendin’ down to squat in front of the girl. “This is Ashley. She’ll fight it and be just fine.” She looks up at me and grins. “I mean, the bullet had to go through her man before it got to her.”

Wesley. This must be Ashley’s cousin, Greyson’s daughter.

I meet a pair of gorgeous green eyes filled with tears. I’m shocked back a step at the ghosts filling her eyes. This girl knows death better than the rest of us. I even get a chill down my spine just lookin’ at her.

“Royal, help me out here,” Rachel stage whispers at her brother.

Royal sighs and bends over, scoopin’ Wesley into his arms. “Duchess you’re scaring everyone. You promised me you weren’t going to fall apart.”

Wesley sniffles and looks at him with those big green eyes. “If I calm down can I still punch Victor in his fucking face?”

The whole room pretty much has the same reaction. Mouths dropped open. Royal just sighs and kisses her forehead. “Yeah, girl. You can punch him in his fucking face.”

“Rage gets first shot,” Channing says from his chair. His eyes are closed and he appeared to be asleep, but I’m guessin’ with that one you never know what’s goin’ on. I think the guy only has one facial expression, which is expressionless.

“Who’s Rage?” Royal asks, lookin’ at the group gathered around. About ten hands point to me.

Royal and Wesley look at me and take in the sling on my arm. “You the husband?” Royal asks.

I nod.

“Duh. He’s got her name tattooed on his neck,” Wesley says softly, still lookin’ at me. “Who’s Glossy?”

“Same person as Ashley, gorgeous,” I tell her, watchin’ the boyfriend scowl at my pet name. “It’s nice to meet you. I’d come shake your hand but I kinda got shot.”

“No worries,” she replies with a tiny smile on her face.

After that everyone settles in. I assume Ashley’s mom is somewhere watchin’ the surgery since this is where she works.

I feel like hours pass with nothin’ goin’ on. Everyone shifts in their seats restlessly or they fall asleep. Charlie found a chair for me to sit in after awhile since gettin’ shot takes a lot out of you.

I’m actually asleep when all hell breaks loose.

“Oh. My. God.” Rachel spits out every word like it tastes foul in her mouth. “Who let the crazy bitch in here? Shouldn’t you be in the psych ward?”

I blink my eyes open to see Victor’s little sister standin’ in the doorway. “Nice Rachel. It seems motherhood hasn’t given you any maturity.”

“Well, you do that to me. You walk into the room and I regress into a pre-teen.” Then she gives Annabella a smirk when Court leans over her and kisses her neck. “Apparently Court does too.”

“Look, I don’t give a shit about you or Pierce. I have better things to worry about.” Then she looks at me. “Victor is asking for you.” She turns away from me to glare at the room before turnin’ to exit.

I stretch my good arm before gettin’ out of my seat. I don’t look at anyone as I leave the room. The longer her surgery takes the more likely that she isn’t gonna make it. I need to keep my mind off of that. And the best way to do that is to go and beat the shit outta Victor Gage. Hopefully I don’t get arrested.

“Wait.” I stop and sigh. I knew all three of them would follow me out.

“Y’all can come, but I’m doin’ the talkin’,” I say without turnin’ around. It’ll probably be more entertainin’ to have four guys threatenin’ him than just me.