Page 69 of Tex's Angel

I try to lighten my voice to take the edge off the fear I hear in his voice. “The medical staff better hope my Clara makes it. If not, they’re gonna have one angry Texan on their hands.”

My son chokes out a laugh, but her parents give me the side-eye, like they’re trying to gauge how serious I am about tearing up the place if she doesn’t make it. Rage, who has established a bit of rapport with them, leans forward and says something that causes their expressions to clear.

I don’t know why I’m even surprised when Clara’s sister and her ex-husband come strolling through the door. The mere sight of them here immediately gets my hackles up. I want to tear them both new assholes, but now isn’t the time or the place.

Wade is on his feet instantly though. “Turn your asses around and go back the way you came. Ain’t nobody’s wants you here.”

Mrs. Hathaway speaks up, her tone indignant, “Gina and Chris have just as much right to be here as all these strangers.”

Chris gives her a firm nod. “I’m her husband. They’ll need me to consent to surgery at the very least.”

Wade opens his mouth, but I beat him to it. “She’s legally separated, and the divorce almost finalized, so y’all don’t come waltzing in here after everything you’ve done pretending like anything y’all say matters.”

Clara’s sister scowls at me. “How do you know all that. You’re just her neighbor.”

I turn on Gina and let her have it too. “It’s none of your business what I know or how I came about the information. The only thing that matters is that I’m speaking the truth.”

“It doesn’t matter that Chris isn’t her husband anymore. You’re nothing to her, so what you have to say doesn’t matter either.” The smugness in her voice irritates me, so I open my mouth to tell her off as well, but Levi beats me to it.

“Clara belongs to us, and we belong to her. She told me all about how you slept with her husband. I ain’t never heard of someone sleeping with their sister’s husband before. Whoever raised you clearly didn’t teach you right from wrong.”

Mrs. Hathaway gasps. “That’s none of your business, young man.”

“It sure as hell is my business. Clara’s my friend. I love her and won’t stand for anyone hurting her or disrespecting her.”

“I agree with my son,” I tell her. Other members of my club quietly murmur their approval.

Turning to look at the interlopers, I tell them, “Y’all can stay only because physically kicking your asses out would cause a commotion. Go sit on the other side of the room and mind your mouths. And don’t think for a single second that y’all are gonna push your way in to see Clara. Dealing with you two is the last thing she needs right now.”

Mrs. Hathaway glances anxiously from one to another of us before lowering her voice. “We are Clara’s parents, we’ll be deciding who gets to visit with her not some hoodlum biker.”

“Lady, I’m fixin’ to put the breaks on making nice with y’all. If y’all think for one second I won’t pitch a fit in this hospital to make sure Clara gets treated right, you better think again.”

Mr. Hathaway speaks up. “That won’t be necessary. I happen to agree that this situation has gone on long enough.” Barely sparing a glance at the couple making trouble, he hisses, “Clara’s gentleman friend is correct. It’s inappropriate for her cheating husband and the sister who betrayed her to home in on her when she’s hospitalized. I want you both to leave this minute or I’ll have security throw you out.”

Her sister immediately starts whining, “But I love Clara. You know that I do.”

His tone turns bitter. “That may be, but the fact remains that you love yourself more. The boy is right. We’ve failed to teach you right from wrong and that ends now.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” he says sternly. “Go home, or I’m cutting you off.”

Wade chimes in, “I assume that will a problem for you, since I’m pursuing joint custody, which I’m told likely means no child support.”

Chris turns and walks out the door, with her clamoring behind him. I was about to thank her father for ensuring Clara didn’t have to deal with the extra burden of making nice with people who had imploded her life, but the doctor finally comes out to talk to us.

Her parents stepped forward, as do I.

Looking from one to the other of us, he asks, “My name is Dr. Ramirez. Are you here for Clara Collins?”

Her father responds, “Yes, we’re her parents.”

I ask, “What can you tell us about her condition?”

“She’s stable. Her injuries were significant, and she lost a lot of blood.”

Her mother asks, “What kind of injuries are we talking about?”

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