“It is bad luck you got hit. You hardly ever take a woman home. You don’t date much either,” Jarrod remarks. “I feel for you.” He looks like he means it. He can keep his pity. I’m finding her one way or the other. I’m going to fix this.
“It is what it is,” I push out. “I’ve found a PI I plan on hiring. Let’s see if he can find out who she is.” He is the best in the business. Doesn’t come cheap. He will find her.
“What do we do in the meantime?” Night asks.
“In the meantime, we wait.” I feel like an asshole all over again. “I don’t know what else there is to do.”
“What about Shannon and Ava?” Night asks. “You said there could be complications.”
“Could be. We’re not certain of anything. Rest assured that I’m a fantastic doctor and a good surgeon in my own right. So far, everything is progressing well with both of them. I’ve always maintained that we’re being cautious just to be on the safe side. There is no cause for concern at this time.” I wish I hadn’t interfered, but I was worried. I still am. We have no idea how their pregnancies will progress. “I’m hoping I can sort this whole thing out long before Ava is due. We have at least six weeks, probably more. That’s plenty of time. Shannon has months.” I look around the table, trying to bring home the severity of this situation. “We need to be careful, gents. This is serious. Bolt played it down, but this affects all of us. Chances are good that I was targeted. What kind of being can steal power? I had no idea it was happening. The bigger question is, who’s next on her hitlist?” Of course, I had no idea it was happening. Shame hits me.
“Maybe it wasn’t even this mystery woman,” Rage points out. “Maybe there is no hitlist.”
“Chances are good it was her,” I say. I know it like I know my own name. “Be vigilant. That’s all I ask.”
“You’re right.” Trident nods. “I like my powers. That probably means no messing around for a while.” He hangs his head.
“I wouldn’t,” I say.
“We’ll be careful,” Jarrod says.
Stephanus nods.
Rage grunts. “Keep us informed,” he says as he stands. “Later,” he adds as he walks out.
“Shall I wake up sleeping beauty?” Samuel asks, looking down at Bolt.
Night shakes his head. “I’d leave him to sleep for a day or two. It would serve him right.” He’s frowning, and his jaw is tense. “You ready to head out?” he asks Forge, who nods as well.
“You don’t want to wait…?” Forge points at Bolt.
“What for?” Night sneers. “So that he can be a dick some more? Fuck that! I’m done trying to find new ground.” Night turns to me. “Let us know if anything changes.”
“I will.”
I watch the two of them leave. Samuel waves a hand over Bolt, and he slowly comes to. He blinks his eyes for a few moments before sitting up and shaking his head to knock back the effects of the spell Samuel wove around him. “Fucking…fuck!” he grunts, clambering to his feet. “How dare you?” He points at Sam.
“You were being a dick, and we had important matters to discuss.” Sam shrugs.
Bolt lunges for him, but Samuel moves out of reach. “I’ll put you back down,” he growls, eyes narrowing.
Bolt clenches his jaw but holds his ground. “I’ll tase the fuck out of you if you try.” He holds up his hands.
“I thought you didn’t use your power,” Jarrod remarks. He and Stephan are still sitting at my table.
Bolt fixes his suit, sliding his hands down his jacket and straightening his tie. “There are times when I make an exception.” He gives Sam a dirty look.
“Look after yourselves,” I say. “That’s all I’m asking. This woman could have taken more than just my powers.”
“She did,” Trident smirks. “She took your cock as well.”
I’m not sure what comes over me at that moment, but I see red for a few seconds and launch myself at Trident. I grab him by his collar and hoist him to his feet, putting my face right in his. “Stop your shit!” I grind out. “This isn’t a joke. It’s my life. It’s the lives of others.” I grit my teeth, forcing myself to calm down. Forcing my hand to open.
Trident’s eyes are wide. “What the hell, man?” He looks down at his shirt, which is torn. “That wasn’t necessary. I was just—”
“Trying to make light of something that isn’t a joke,” Samuel says, yawning. “I need to hit the road.”
I nod once.
“I didn’t mean…” Trident begins.
“I know you didn’t.” I pull in a breath. “I know you’re busy, Bolt. I know you’re trying to make me feel better, Tri. This is fucking serious. Please be vigilant. Keep your zipper up and your nose clean.”
Trident nods once. He is frowning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a grave look like the one he is sporting now.
There is something I haven’t told my brothers. Technically I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell them the whole truth either. It’s been on the tip of my tongue. I’m lying by omission. I’m not sure why. I feel so stupid. So ashamed. I’m sure I can rectify this whole situation, and fast. I just need to find her. Gabby, Gabriella…if that’s even her name.
3
Morgan
I’m going to fix this.
I can do it.
I will do it.
I look down at Andy’s motionless form. He has so many pipes attached to him. A tube that is breathing for him. A tube that is feeding him. For such a big, strong man, he looks small under the thin blanket. My heart aches. I hold back a sob. My eyes are pricking, and my throat hurts from swallowing back my tears.
“Morgan,” I hear a woman say. My back stiffens because I recognize the voice.
I turn slowly, my eyes locking with hers. “Mrs. Golding…I…I’m so sorry,” I push out.
Her face crumples. She puts a hand to her mouth, holding back emotion I know is bubbling just below the surface. She blinks her eyes rapidly.
I take a step towards her. “I’m so sorry. It was all my fault. I…” I can’t imagine what she must be going through. It’s been a week since Mrs. Golding almost lost her son.
She shakes her head, wiping away the single tear that has fallen. “No! No…Morgan, you were doing your job. My boy was doing what he loved. What he was born to do. It is not your fault. It is not his fault. It’s how it is.”
It is my fault. I feel worse, somehow, hearing her say that it isn’t. Hearing her forgiveness and understanding. “Thank you for saying that.” What else can I say to her?
“He loved being your partner. Andy talked about it all the time. The trouble the two of you stirred up.” She smiles. It’s sad. Her eyes are glistening.
I also notice that she’s speaking in the past tense. Why? “What did the doctor say?”
She shrugs. “They can’t tell me much. Just that he lost a lot of blood and died upon arrival at the hospital.” I remember that vividly. I also remember how they made me wait outside his room while they desperately tried to revive him. I watched them shock his chest with those paddles. “He was gone for a long time. Too long.” She takes a shuddery breath. “They worked on him the whole time. They’re hopeful he received enough oxygen. That his brain received enough oxygen, but they can’t say for sure. We have to wait and see.” Her lip wobbles, and her eyes cloud over.