My eyes had dried and my heart was guarded. I straightened my back and looked at Red directly in her eyes. “I will do this for my parents, myself, and for Marty and War, but when I am finished, I will let him go.”
Red stood; grabbing her clothes off the chaise lounge, then turned to me and patted my shoulder, “Sure you will.” And with that, she was gone.
After Red left, I must have dozed off in the chair, because when I woke, I was covered in sweat, slightly burnt and had a major headache. I went inside and saw that it was after three o’clock. Damn. I grabbed some headache meds, a bottle of water and decided that I better call Lindsey to check in at the office. Of course, she wanted to come over and fill me in because everything she had to tell me was “too good to say over the phone.” I told her I was not up for company, but maybe later in the week. That wasn’t a complete lie. I wasn’t up for company, unless it was Luke. I didn’t want to admit it, but I missed him. Could I really guard my heart and pretend to be in love with him? Well, hell no. I couldn’t pretend because I was in love with him. “FUCK!” I screamed at the ceiling. I was lying on my back in the bed and all I could think about was myself, and my love life. Marty was in the hospital and War was missing for crying out loud! I jumped off the bed and headed to the shower. I had someone to visit.
I changed into a pair of faded, ripped jeans and a black fitted t-shirt with a lime green pocket on the left breast. I opted out of any jewelry and threw on a pair of black flip flops. My outfit was less than casual, but I was hoping it would draw the least amount of attention possible. I applied thick makeup to my face, trying to cover the bruises. They were mostly covered but still visible. I grabbed my purse, phone, and Ray Bans and was out the door.
Forrest General Hospital was a busy place any day of the week, but on this particular day, about ten Harley Davidson Motorcycles added to the parking chaos. Of course, the Devil’s Renegades made parking their convenience, by pulling their motorcycles into the “no parking” area by the front door. Great. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to see half the damn club, but oh well. I was here for Marty. I found a parking spot on the second floor of the parking garage and pulled my sleek, black, Mercedes CL600 into the vacant space. A crowd of teenagers had gathered close, giving appreciative stares to the car. So much for not drawing attention to myself. I smiled at them as I exited and noticed the shock on their faces. Apparently, they were expecting someone who wasn’t dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.
The hospital was cold, as always, and I immediately regretted not bringing a jacket. I asked the lady at the front desk where I could find “Marty” and she looked at me like I was an idiot when I informed her that I didn’t know his last name.
“I’m sorry, he was admitted a couple of days ago. The results of a motorcycle wreck,” I said, trying to redeem myself.
“Eighth floor. Room eighty-eighty oh two,” she informed me without batting an eyelash. Apparently the motorcycle boys had drawn some attention. The closer I got to the elevator, the more nervous I become. What if Luke was there? My heart sped at the thought. I wonder what he’s wearing? Oh, for fuck’s sake.
The elevator dinged, letting me know I had arrived at the eighth floor. I was greeted with leather vests waiting in the lobby as soon as the doors opened.
“Hey, pretty girl!” I heard someone say. My eyes scanned the room, trying to find the source when they landed on Kev. He was making his way to me through the crowd. I smiled at him and gave him a small wave.
“Hey, Kev,” I said as he engulfed me in his arms. The next five minutes of my life were spent giving out hugs to the members of the Devil’s Renegades MC, on the eighth floor of Forrest General Hospital. This not getting attached shit was gonna be tough. Kev, Tiny, Worm, Coon, Buck, Crash and two PROSPECTS had been to see Marty, and from what I could gather, they had no intention of leaving.
“How is he?” I asked to no one in particular.
“He is okay. Has a few broken bones and some pretty bad road rash. They are weaning him off the morphine, so he is pretty pissed. We are waiting for the doc to come in and give us some good news,” Worm, the Vice President of the club, informed me. “How are you doing?” he asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m good. Just taking it day by day,” I said smiling.
“Well, we are here for you, baby. If you need anything just give us a call,” Tiny said from his place on my right. We had formed a circle in the lobby and I was relieved and disappointed at the same time that Luke was not here.