Page 82 of The Prez

I nod and head in the direction of his room.

When I step inside, I sag against the door, all my strength leaving me. Half of Omari’s face is purple from his bruises. His eye is covered with a patch from his eye surgery. There’s gauze covering his nose where it was cut from whatever Brock did to him. A slice I didn’t see is on his forehead, knitted together with a row of stitches. “Oh, precioso. Oh, sweet baby.” For the first time in twenty years, tears flow from my eyes. “Dios, what did he do to you?”

Omari’s lips twitch, but he hisses. “I’m okay.” He lifts his hand, beckoning me over. “Come here, baby.”

I step over to him, sitting in the chair beside him and taking his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I was … hit by … a Mack truck.” His words are halting and his voice sounds raspy. “Little … Raf?”

“He’s fine, baby. You did good, hiding him away. He was a crying mess, but safe.”

Omari smiles, eye closed. “Good.” He opens his eye and turns to me, his smile fading. “It was Brock. You know that, right?”

“I fucking know. And I’m going to fucking bury him. He fucked with what’s mine and I will have his fucking head.” Isnarl the last words, putting as much conviction behind them as I can.

“I know you will. Give him my regards before you do, yeah?”

A small chuckle leaves my lips and I know Omari cracked a joke for my benefit. “You got it, baby.” I drop my head to his hand, tears still leaking from my eyes. “I failed you, Omari. I fucking failed. All I do is let everyone down. I’m so fucking sorry, baby.”

“Rafael,” Omari slurs in an exhausted voice. “Look at me, baby.” I lift my head and meet his uncovered eye, wiping tears from my face. “You have never failed me. You didn’t fail your mother. And you didn’t fail your sister.” He inhales and his breath hitches as his opposite hand goes to his ribs. I growl in anger, planning how I’m going to make Brock hurt before I put him in the ground.

He continues. “Your dad was a monster and you ended him before he could hurt anyone else. Elena trusted you enough to leave you her only child, knowing you’d do right by him. You’ve had the guys looking for Brock all week, but he’s a sneaky fucker. And you tried to give me a bodyguard, but I thought I was okay. You’ve taken care of everyone, baby. You have. You’re the best man I know. What do I have to do to convince you of that?” He opens his eye and says, “I’ll compliment your sexy ass everyday if I have to.”

I kiss the back of his hand, a smile tipping my lips again. Letting out a long breath, I go for it, the words pushing from my throat before I can think twice. “I love you, Omari. You know that, right?”

He closes his good eye and sinks deeper into the pillow. A small smile spread across his lips. “I know.” He lets out another long breath and drops off to sleep.

I watch him for the rest of the night, vowing to get the revenge he deserves.

CHAPTER 22

RAFAEL

Omari was movedto a new room late last night, this one allowing him to have more than two visitors at a time. Jace and Zeke come to visit Omari, bringing Little Raf with them. I didn’t want them to bring the baby, but Omari was almost in tears when he asked, saying he needed to see him with his own eyes to believe he was alright. I caved, giving Omari whatever he asks for.

When he sees him, Omari tries to sit up in bed so he can hold him, but he’s too hurt, so I sit on the bed beside him, holding Little Raf in my lap and allowing Omari to touch him and squeeze his little hands.

“It’s good to see you, big man,” he whispers, kissing the backs of his hands.

“He missed you too,” Zeke says. “He cried for a long time last night. I think he knew you weren’t there.”

Omari grins at the baby. “Of course he did. You missed Uncle Omari?” he coos to the baby and my heart leaps. He sees himself as being my partner, my other half. My love.

Little Raf squeals, his little fingers curling into grabbyfists. “Not right now,” I say softly to the baby, kissing the top of his head. “Uncle Omari is hurting.”

Omari pouts, leaning his head on my arm. I just catch Little Raf’s hand before he smacks Omari on the nose.

“How you feeling?” Jace asks Omari, leaning against the wall across from the bed.

“The meds are good here,” he says. “Right now, I’m okay. But when the pain comes, it fucking sucks.” Omari sighs and sits back. “I should be out of here in a day or two though.” The nurse removed his eye covering this morning, but said he still had to rest it.

“We’ll be there with Prez to help out with Little Raf and anything else you need,” Zeke says, squeezing Omari’s hand.

Jace nods.

Omari looks at both of them. “For some big, bad bikers, y’all are sweet. Are y’all sure y’all are in a bad ass motorcycle club?”

Zeke leans closer to Omari and drops his voice. “I killed the man that hurt Shane. We’re not all sweet, Mari.” He winks and sits back, a self-assured smile on his face.

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