Page 362 of Savage Brothers MC: Tennessee Chapter

I thoughtI’d been afraid before in my life.I’ve faced death with a gun aimed at me, I’ve watched my fellow soldiers blown to fucking pieces in front of me.I almost lost Devil, a man that is my true brother and family, same with Diesel.I’ve seen shit that gave me nightmares for years.But, not once, in all that time, have I ever been as scared as I am right now.

I made it to the hospital in a scary amount of time.I’ve never driven so fast in my life—and that’s saying something.The entire ride, Ellie was completely unresponsive.I didn’t know it, but they were waiting for us when we got here, Rory had called ahead.I’m thankful for that, because they immediately took her back.

I’ve been sitting here ever since, waiting.It’s been at least twenty minutes and I’m not sure I’m going to survive much longer.Crusher, Dani, Torrent, and Devil showed up a bit ago.They had to have driven pretty damn fast themselves.They asked if I knew anything, but I just shook my head no.I’m not sure I can form words right now.We’re all just…waiting.

“Mr.Maverick?”I jump up, looking at the woman coming out of the small door of the waiting room.She’s wearing a white coat and scrubs.There’s a large bright red streak on her coat and although Ellie wasn’t bleeding when she went in, I’m terrified it’s hers.

“That’s me,” I manage to say, my voice hoarse.I feel my family gather around me, leaving me thankful for their support.“Can you please tell me what’s wrong with my wife?”

“We need to go in and do emergency surgery.I want to explain everything to you, but I don’t have much time,” she says.

“Emergency surgery?”I mimic, feeling like my fucking legs have given out on me.

“Your wife is bleeding on her brain.It appears she had an aneurysm that ruptured.”

“How?I don’t understand.She’s not had any injuries.I want a second opinion.”

“Mr.Maverick, I know you’re upset, but time is of the essence here.The fact that your wife is still holding on is a miracle in and of itself.A lot of patients don’t survive getting to the hospital.We already have her in the operating room.I need your permission and you need to sign the papers so that our surgeon can begin.”

I never informed the hospital of our divorce.I was afraid they wouldn’t tell me what was going on with her if I did.If she survives this shit, the first thing she’s going to do is marry me again.

If she survives.

“Fuck, okay.Do whatever you need to do.Can I see her?”I ask, wondering how I’m still standing when my world is crumbling around me.

“I know you’re worried, Mr.Maverick, but we can’t delay.You need to know that Dr.Maples is the top in his field.We’re very lucky to have him here.Your wife is in good hands.”

I know she’s trying to be reassuring, but she’s not.

I walk like a robot to sign the paperwork they give me.I stay in that same trance as I go back into the waiting room.

“Fury, buddy, I know you’re scared.I’ve been where you are now.There’s nothing I can do or say to make you feel better, but look at my Hellcat.She’s still giving me hell today.It’s going to be okay.We don’t fall in love with weak women.They fight tooth and nail to keep the life they love,” he says.

His words hurt me, although he probably doesn’t realize it.Will Ellie fight?She was getting ready to leave.I walked away from her, and I stayed away the entire night.Will she even know that I’m here?She was so confused, and looked so bad right before she passed out, that I can’t know for sure she even knew I was there.I don’t reply to Crusher, I just hold my head down, feeling useless.

Eventually, I take out my phone and look up Ellie’s condition.Reading it now, it all makes sense.The constant migraines that seemed to be based behind her eye is a leading symptom.The harder fact to read is that fifty percent of people who have an aneurysm don’t survive.Fifteen percent don’t even survive the ambulance ride here.Then, there are the after effects.A lot of patients can suffer permanent neurological damage.My hands are shaking as I read all of this shit.Fear so deep that I can’t breathe settles inside of me.My legs are constantly moving, as my nerves get the better of me.Twenty-five percent of all patients who survive the initial rupture can die within six months from complications.All these facts are assaulting me like physical blows, but, it’s the triggers that can cause an aneurysm to burst that destroy me.

Fucking destroy me.

Strong emotions such as being upset or angry can raise blood pressure and cause aneurysms to rupture.

Being upset.Strong emotions….

I throw my phone across the waiting room.It slams against the wall and then drops to the cement floor.It lies there in pieces as I stare at it, wishing I could go back and take Ellie to the hospital when I first began to worry about the amount of migraines she had.

* * *

It feelslike years before the doctor finally comes out.When he does, my heart flips inside of my chest.

“Liam Maverick?”

“That’s me,” I respond, trying to gage what he’s going to tell me by the look on his face, but I can’t tell.

“Let’s step into the consultation room,” he says, but I shake my head no.

“This is our family.It’s okay to talk in front of them.”

“We’ve repaired the vessel in her brain.She’s going to remain in ICU.I want to monitor her closely.”

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