Page 139 of Savior

I looked down at the various tubes connected to my body. My right arm was back in a sling and, as I’d refused the good stuff they kept pushing on me, I was relying on ibuprofen to deal with the pain.

“I, uh, I’ve been better. But the docs seem hopeful that I’ll regain mobility in my right arm. May never get it all back, but it’s better than bein’ dead.”

I took a deep breath, repeating the same words I’d been saying for the past three days. “Thought you were gone, kid. Worst fuckin’ feelin’ of my life.”

Mikey’s mouth went flat. “Wasn’t my first choice, believe it or not. Just seemed like the Sons were going to outthink us on everything.”

Between Mike, Jimmy, Celia, and Lauren, they’d managed to execute a plan so perfect that it left me in awe. Jimmy even had some type of special effects vest that sprayed blood when he was hit. The rest was just a matter of paying off the right people, and then my son was free to move where he needed without arousing suspicion.

He winced and rubbed his chest. “Still not sure that Dakota’s forgiven me for tricking her. Your girl’s got a mean right hook.”

“According to Bear, she’s got a strong kick too.” I mashed the remote on the bed, forcing myself up. “They’re still okay? Doctors have checked them over?”

It didn’t matter that Celia had assured that everyone was healthy, I’d believe it when I could lay eyes on them for myself. In my mother hen state, I’d even forced Bear to bring Molly in so that she could show off the massive bruises left behind on her torso.

Mikey nodded. “Lauren and I saw the OB this morning, girls are growing strong—”

“Twin girls,” I murmured, still in shock over the news.

“Yeah, Pops. Twin girls. You’re gonna have your hands full.”

I laughed before grimacing at the pull in my shoulder. “I guess so.”

“Dakota’s still doing well. Zane said she’s been taking it easy, but seems content as long as Little Ricky stops by with ice cream.”

I swallowed. “Katy?”

“Hey,” Mikey said, placing his hand over mine. “We’ve been over this. “Katy’s gonna be just fine. Doctor put her on bed rest, so she doesn’t even need the crutches for her broken foot.” At my expression, he added, “The baby’s good. You just need to worry about resting. I got this. I know how to keep these girls in line.”

“Got another request.” I slipped the wadded up paper out from under the covers and placed it in his hand. “Need you to see if you can help me find someone. Got a little unfinished business.”

He looked it over before raising an eyebrow. “Cobra? You mean he didn’t die before this all started?”

I shook my head and settled against the pillow. “Soon as I’m out of here, I’m gonna go lookin’ for him.”

“One step at a time.”

I’d failed him in so many ways as a father. It was why I’d encouraged Comedian to take the shot that night. I knew what it was like to send a parent to the Reaper. That burden was never meant to be on his shoulders.

“What do we do now?” I finally asked, pulling myself out of my head.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought about maybe going back to school—”

“About that,” Jimmy began, before closing the door behind him. “Got some news I thought you both might like to hear. Police department’s undergoing a bit of a transition. Turns out there was some corruption and falsifying of records. Effective immediately, Detective Michael Sullivan-Quinn has been reinstated, and his record with the department wiped clean.”

Mikey’s jaw dropped. “You got me my job back? I’m a cop again? Jesus fuck, Jimmy. If I didn’t hate you for shooting me five times, I might consider giving you a hug.”

“Couldn’t resist throwing in the number, could you?” Jimmy grinned and threw an arm around him. “Love you too, pumpkin. As for you…” He shifted his focus to me. “As far as the world is concerned, James Quinn has been deceased since October 18, 1996. The patient residing in room 4821 is none other than James Grey, a family man without so much as a speeding ticket to his name. So where you two go from here is completely up to you.”

“What do you think, Pops?”

“You keep callin’ me that,” I said carefully, trying not to let my heart read too much into it. I’d been Grey his entire life, but ever since the night he saved us all, he’d taken to calling me Pops.

He grinned. “Thought Daddy made it seem like we had a different sort of relationship, but if you’re into that, just remember that I’m a top. Fuck, I’m kidding. You’re my old man, what do you want me to call you?”

I mashed my lips together, my nostrils flaring wide as I held back my tears. “Pops is good,” I choked out.

“Alright, Pops, what’s it gonna be? Gonna go back to running the club?”

---