Page 43 of Striker's Yield

I want to be pissed at her for what she did. Hell, I am pissed. What was she thinking?

Time passes by, and I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. Finally, the doors to the back open, and a doctor steps out, still wearing scrubs with blood on them. He speaks to the nurses, who then point in our direction. I step forward, and the doctor comes toward me.

“How is she?” I get right to it before he can even say anything.

“You must be Autumn’s husband.”

“Yes,” I lie. “Is she okay?”

“Your wife is very lucky,” the doctor says as we’re joined by my brothers. “The bullet missed vital organs. We were able to repair the damage that it caused. She had a few cuts that needed to be stitched. Her body is bruised up, but all in all, she will be okay. She’s in recovery at the moment. Someone will come and get you when she’s transferred to a room.”

“Thanks, Doc,” I tell the doctor feeling a sense of relief at knowing she’ll be okay.

She’ll be okay.

My woman was gonna be okay. Knowing this eases a part of me, but the rest one breath easy until I see her for myself.

“I’m sorry, sir, but visiting hours are over,” a nurse tells me from the door to Autumn’s room.

“Yeah, and I’m not leaving her side,” I informed her a bit harsher than I probably should, but I wasn’t about to be kicked out.

“But—”

“I’m not leaving my woman’s side,” I snap, interrupting her.

She rushes out of there, and I let out a breath, eyes looking at my woman. The heart monitor beeps steadily, assuring me she was okay, but she’s yet to open her eyes.

Her parents and Lila had come and left. They were going to a hotel to get some rest and would be back first thing in the morning. They didn’t need to be here, watching her like this. I told them I’d give them an update if and when I had one for them.

Leaning forward, I take her hand in mine and kiss the back of it. “Mama, it’s time to wake up.”

“You know you were rude to her,” she whispers, her voice barely there. But I heard her.

Jumping to my feet, I lean over her, pressing my forehead to hers. “Thank fuck.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers again.

“What’re you sorry about, Mama?” I whisper back.

“That I all but shot myself, but I had to. I had to get away from him, and I knew you’d make sure I didn’t die. I didn’t want to die, but I could survive. I just —”

“That’s enough, Autumn,” I tell her, not wanting to hear more. “Just rest, Mama, tomorrow’s soon enough for us to discuss this shit. And we will, but first, you have to get your strength up. ‘Cause when we discuss it, I’m putting your ass over my knee.”

“Mhmm, sounds interesting,” she says sleepily.

“Rest, Mama, I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

“Okay,” she utters and drifts back to sleep.

I retake my seat, holding her head, feeling better knowing that she’s going to be okay. This shit is over for her. She’ll recover. She’ll be good, and she’ll be by my side.

I meant what I said to my Prez and VP, I need her in my life. I couldn’t lose her. She’s my woman. Mine and I’ll stop at nothing to keep her that way. I’m not afraid to admit just how important she is to me. She’s my heart, and yielding to that thought is one that doesn’t even scare me in the least.

She’s the one for me that I knew would be mine when I stopped fucking around and decided to do something about it. And I was right.

EPILOGUE

Autumn

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