Page 40 of Thor

Thomas takes his seat and a crooked grin stretches across his lips when he sees the alerts are gone. “What’s your name, son? You work fast. I could use someone like you on my team.” The way he’s watching Tech I can see the wheels spinning. Whatever he’s up to it isn’t good.

“Alfred, sir, and thank you. I try to do jobs as quickly and efficiently as I can.” Tech sounds like a proper rich kid from the suburbs. I look around at the stunned faces of my brothers. I’m glad I’m not the only one surprised by Tech playing his part so well. He even chose the nerdiest name I’ve ever heard.

Alfred.

That’s a name that for sure earned some fights on the playground.

“Here’s my card. Give me a call. I would like to discuss a business proposal with you.” Tech takes the card and makes a quick exit. Gunner has already made his way out of headquarters seeing as he didn’t have anyone there to hold him up. Diablo and Dice are in a van outside waiting for Tech and Rambo, and Chains is waiting for Gunner. Once the guys pull off, the brothers roar in victory.

“Good job, fellas. Get a good night’s rest before getting on the road in the morning. You’ll make it back just in time for Thanksgiving,” Viper says.

The girls shut down the screens and Viper ends Church. I call out his name and he gestures to his office. We take our seats and I begin to tell him the favor I need. I have another surprise for my woman. This Thanksgiving, I plan on giving her something she hasn’t had in a long time.

Chapter Twenty-One

MADISON

“Somebody, please, help us!” a woman screams.

I look up and watch as a mother runs through the emergency room doors pointing to a man holding a little girl in his arms. Her face is covered in tears as she reaches for her right leg. I quickly get up and grab a nearby gurney and wheel it over to them.

He lays her down carefully and I notice she’s in full cheerleading gear. “Can you tell me what happened?” I ask them. Doc walks over and begins to exam her leg carefully.

“She was cheering at the game, and everything was going as usual. But then she went to climb the top of the pyramid and one the girls shifted causing her to fall.” The mom pauses with a choked sob. Turning to her husband, she lowers her voice, but I still hear her. “I know that was on purpose. I’ve been telling you for months those girls are picking on her and now look. She’s leaving that school. I don’t give a damn how your parents feel about it, Josh!”

“Jenny, calm down, honey,” he soothes while holding her tightly.

A small smile stretches across Doc’s lips as he looks at the little girl. “How old are you sweetheart?” he asks her.

“Ten,” she whimpers.

“Really?” he asks feigning shock. “I thought you were at least thirty.” He smirks.

She lets out a tiny giggle while giving Doc a goofy smile. She’s smitten. Join the club, little lady. Doc has every woman around this place wrapped around his finger except for me. I’m happily taken.

“No, I’m only ten, silly. And my name is Lauren.”

“Well, Miss. Lauren, we’re going to go take some x-rays to see what exactly is wrong with your leg. Once I know what’s going on, we’ll get it all fixed up.”

“Will it hurt?” she whispers.

“I promise you won't feel a thing.” Lauren nods and settles into the bed. When I look up, her parents are smiling at Doc. The mother mouths athank youand Doc gives her a nod. “You two can follow but we’ll need you to fill out some paperwork. Is she allergic to any medicine?”

“No, she isn’t allergic to anything,” the father says.

Doc nods and we both grab one side of the bed and wheel the bed to x-rays. Her parents are right behind us. The x-rays go by smoothly. When Doc puts the pictures on the lightbox, he hisses.

I study the picture a little more intently and then I see it.

Oh, that poor little girl.

“Is her…”

“Her ACL is torn,” Doc confirms. “That injury is hard on adults to recover from.” Doc sighs and shakes his head. “Let's go break the news to her parents.”

I follow Doc to the family room where her parents watch their daughter through the glass. Doc clears his throat to get their attention. They approach us with hopeful eyes.

God, I hate doing this.

---