Page 27 of Maddog

“Yeah, baby girl. Looks like your boyfriend knows how to make an entrance.”

“He got a ride on a freaking Black Hawk?” I wanted to lash out at Jax even though I knew it was unreasonable. But it felt like Jax had been out having fun while I was scared out of my fucking mind. On the other hand, he’d definitely made an entrance. As well as gotten here in the fastest way possible. “I guess this is why he said if he couldn’t answer when I called, he’d be on the way.” I sounded disgruntled when I was really happy to see Jax. I was falling back on old patterns, needing to deflect my fear by being angry at Jax.

Wrath chuckled. My dad had an odd sense of humor because I didn’t see anything funny about the situation.

Dad held open the door when Jax approached. The man was focused on one thing and one thing only.Me. “Holly!”

The second Jax reached me, I struck, smacking at his chest. “You left me!”

He looked like I’d slapped him. “I just went to work for the day, baby. I was comin’ right back.”

“Work? You were joyriding in a freaking helicopter!”

“Honey, I bullied my boss into having a teammate bring me home ASAP. We had to file all kinds of flight plans and pull strings that didn’t exist to get permission. Hell, I’m not even sure Cain got permission so much as he got some higher up somewhere to ignore the big ass military bird flying in civilian airspace.” He looked panicked as he looked from me to Wrath and back.

“That’s some… creative maneuvering there, boy.” Wrath grinned and scrubbed the back of his neck with his hand. He shook his head and chuckled. “You hijacked a Black Hawk to come to your girl when she needed you. Color me officially impressed.”

I sniffled and Jax scooped me up, sitting on the couch with me in his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Hush.” He kissed my temple and hugged me tight. “Don’t apologize. You’ve got nothing to apologize for.” He held me like that for several minutes while Blade filled him in on what was happening. I didn’t pay much attention because I was too busy soaking up Jax’s strength. I was going to need it to get through this.

“Listen to me, Holly.” Blade pried my hand loose where I’d curled my fingers in Jax’s shirt. He gripped my hand in both of his and leveled a look on me. “You’re gettin’ way ahead of yourself. I’ve got a bunch of tests to do, but, like I said, I’ll have an answer for you in a day. Maybe less. Can you give me that long? Can you keep it together? You’re scaring Jax. I’m not dealing with that pussy when he goes all caveman on me because I have to draw your blood.” I knew it was nonsense to get so worked up, but I think I was having PTSD or something because all the memories from my childhood came rushing back.

I sniffed and wiped my nose on the back of my wrist. “He is a shade overprotective.” I took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, doing my best to drive down the panic I knew wasn’t logical. Later. Once we knew what we were dealing with, then I could panic if necessary.

“That he is. Now. I know it’s uncomfortable, but let’s get this done so I can start testing your blood.”

I nodded. “OK.”

Blade took several different vials of blood and a couple nasal swabs, which I didn’t understand but didn’t protest. He’d just finished when his phone buzzed from his back pocket. “Good,” he said as he glanced at the text. “I may have results for you quicker than expected.” He smiled. “I wasn’t sure she’d be available right away, but she’s waiting at the office.” He packed away the samples in a biohazard bag and put everything in what looked like a small lunch bag. “I’ll be in touch the second I have something.” That last he addressed to Jax.

Jax looked down at me. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jax

I could see panic had Holly deep in its clutches. She was looking for something to be royally pissed at so she could deflect her fear with anger. After Blade left, Wrath and Celeste stayed and the four of us sat on the couch in silence for a long while. Celeste gripped one of Wrath’s big hands in both of hers. Holly cuddled in my lap as miserable as I’d seen her since her last bout with leukemia.

“Jax,” she whispered, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. “I’m scared.”

“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered back, squeezing her a little tighter. “But remember what Blade said. We don’t know anything yet. I’m gonna be right here with you regardless. You get me?”

She nodded miserably before tucking her face back against my chest and sitting passively. I could only imagine what was going on in her head. Scratch that. I knew at least part of what she was thinking because I was thinking it too. What if this was another relapse? How many could she have before the cancer became resistant to treatment? My reassurances didn’t seem to make much of a difference for either of us.

“Why don’t I make us a snack?” Celeste stood with a smile and headed to the kitchen. “Nothing fancy, just something to keep hunger at bay.” The attempt at normalcy was much appreciated. I was surprised when Holly agreed without protest. She even managed to nibble on some of her sandwich before pushing it aside.

“Nervous stomach?” I murmured the question in her ear. We hadn’t moved from the couch, Celeste having brought one plate with both our sandwiches and chips on it.

“I’m afraid I’ll be sick if I eat too much right now.”

I got it. I was tied up in knots too. I ate because I knew I’d need my strength if this didn’t break our way. Again, if Holly needed, I’d provide.

As the evening wore on, Holly grew increasingly restless. Her fears chased each other in circles around her mind and I did everything I could to distract her. I could see it happening and was powerless to stop it. We watched a movie in the living room, flipping through channels until we stumbled upon an old rom com that left Holly and Celeste giggling despite the worrying. Thankfully, it was hard to hang on to a fear not right in front of you. This respite was as much a blessing as an exercise in frustration.

It was nearly dark when Blade pulled back into the driveway. Wrath was on his feet while the truck was still moving, opening the door and beckoning Blade inside.

“She’s fine,” Blade said as he trotted from the Bronco to the door. Thank God the man appreciated the urgency of the situation. Not so much in an acute illness sense, but how Holly and everyone who loved her were currently in a kind of limbo, unsure if we needed to prepare for the worst or laugh at our own panic.

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