Page 35 of Breaking Storm

She sniffles. “There’s too much—-”

“I already called our doctor. He’s meeting us at the hospital and will put him in a private room.” Her sobs grow. “Hey, everything will be fine. Joey’s a fighter.”

Sean does as he says, laying me on the backseat of his car with care. He apologizes when he hits a bump. Teagan is in the passenger seat, periodically glancing back at me. It feels like hours before I’m transferred from the car to a gurney. I know the drill from other people in our gang who needed medical care. We bypass the ER, roll down a long hall, and enter a room that has hallway windows.

Nurses skirt around me, placing an oxygen mask over my face, which causes me to flinch as it digs into my skin. They apologize while working.

Dr. Rossman comes in and stands next to the bed. “Joey, can you hear me?”

I let out a strainedyes.

“I’m going to do a quick exam to see what we’re dealing with.”

He asks Sean and Teagan to leave, but I grab Sean’s hand and motion for him to come closer. He bends down to where his face is close to my mouth. My battered hand pulls the oxygen mask off.

It’s harsh to get out the words, yet they’re important. “If I die—”

“You’re not going—”

“Shut up… listen.” I wheeze. The lack of air strangles what little amount of words I get out. “There’s money under… the bedside table’s floorboards.” I take a short inhale. “Take it and leave with Teagan.” He’s shaking his head. My hand grabs at his shirt. “Leave this place. Take care of her.”

I release his shirt and cough as Dr. Rossman kicks them out. While he cuts my clothes off, he asks, “Who did this, Joey?”

He’s never liked my old man, and the purpose of the question is to keep me alert. Dr. Rossman knows who did it. He’s been my doctor since childbirth and is a respectable man. He healed all my injuries, along with my mother’s. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. If I die, maybe he’ll finally tell someone about James and his dirty secrets.

After several tests, I’m taken into surgery. The last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist putting a mask over my face. Darkness frees me from the blaze of agony and allows me to create my own world. A world where Teagan and I have a happy marriage.

It’s morning and we’re laying naked. Sunrays stream through the curtains and spills onto her dark nipples. An incredible vision. Teagan’s body is harmonious curves flowing into the next. Teardrop breasts crowned with pert nipples like a cherry topping a sundae. Her skin is creamy. My gaze travels until I make my way up to her eyes. Those half-lidded denim blues. She whispers her desires as her fingers travel down my navel to my cock. Her soft, small hand beckoning my attention, which I comply. My hips thrust into her hand. Then my breathing is short and quick. It’s hard to breathe.

There’s shouting.

“Stay with us, Joey.”

The world is tipping to the side. My one eye slits open and the room is chaotic. Machines are beeping. Shouts from one doctor or nurse to another. Directions. A searing stab in my back has me moaning. I don’t have the energy to release a scream.

“Good, Joey. Stay with us. You’re going to be fine.”

More movement around the bed. Poking. Wiping. I close my eye to a beeping monitor and sleep takes over. When I open my eye, it shifts to the side where Teagan is sitting. As soon as I move, she stands, and puts her hand on my forearm. God, just having her touch me reduces my blackened soul.

“Everything’s okay, Joey. Surgery went fine.” Her hand caresses my arm. “You gave us a scare afterwards, but things are going well.”

Sean is standing next to her, looking as bad as I feel.

He clears his throat. “Hey, Joe.”

I attempt to talk, but only forced air comes out. Teagan says she’ll be right back and returns with a cup and a straw. Her hand slides behind my head, lifting me some so I can drink out of the straw. This causes me to cough.

Teagan takes the cup away, and her words soothe me. “You’re going to make it, Joey.” She wipes at her cheeks. “Sean and I are here for you.”

Sean clasps my hand. “The house is on lockdown. Several guys are there and no one is allowed in. It’ll be ready before you come home.” I give a slight nod. “James did this to you, didn’t he?” I blink. “Enemy number one.”

I’m able to scratch out, “Don’t do anything—”

“No. I won’t. I wouldn’t jeopardize things for you.”

Dr. Rossman enters, flips through my chart while saying, “It’s good to see you awake.” His hands hover and touch areas of my body. Much of his contact makes me wince. “From one to ten, what’s the pain level?”

I push out aten.

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