“Thanks, brother. I’m goin’ to see Tianna.” Hodge slaps a hand on my shoulder as I head for the door. I step outside and take a deep breath before climbing on my bike and taking the same route to the hospital that I have been since this shit started.
I’m tired. I’m hurting. I’m still upset, but not at her. More at myself for not seeing what was happening to her. I should have known something wasn’t right. I should have seen it in her eyes, and I blame a lot of this on myself. I should have done more to keep her here and not let her go back to that bastard.
I pull up and park at the hospital when my phone rings. I pull it out to see it’s the prospect, Jim, who’s been sitting with her.
“Yeah?”
“Remy. I don’t know what the fuck is goin’ on, man. The machines started goin’ crazy, and the doctor kicked me out of the room.” I don’t bother hanging up as I take off running for the door. I don’t waste time on the elevator either, I take the stairs two at a time to get to her floor. My heart is racing in my chest, and I can’t seem to get to her room fast enough. I see Jim in the hallway pacing back and forth, but when he tries to stop me, I ignore him and shove my way into the room. I’m not sure what I’m going to find when I get inside but the machines are now quiet. There’s a group of doctors and nurses surrounding the bed when they hear me behind them. I look at their faces, trying to get a read on them before they step aside, and I see her.
My heart lodges in my throat when she turns her head and looks over at me. Tears spring to her eyes when she sees me, and I move straight for her. I grab her and pull her into my arms as the doctor speaks behind us. I don’t listen to much of what he’s saying because I’m too lost in her. I hold the back of her head tightly in my hand, keeping her as close as I can.
“Remy,” she sobs into my shirt.
“Shh. Everything’s okay now. It’s all okay.”
“Charlie?”
“She’s home, baby. She’s home.” Now, she cries harder into my chest. I can’t seem to pull myself away from her, either. I’m afraid if I do, she’s not going to be in my arms again, and I can’t have that.
I turn my head and press kisses to the side of hers but never let her go.
“I’m sorry, Remy. I’m so sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry, baby. I should have been there for you. I should have done more.”
“You didn’t know,” she cries.
“I should have. Damn it, I should have known, Tianna.”
We stay like this in each other’s arms for a long time until her crying stops. I pull back so I can look at her, and fuck, I had forgotten how beautiful she was. I press my lips to hers, and she allows it. She kisses me back, and that’s the best feeling in the world.
I get her settled back on her pillow, but I don’t leave her side.
“How is Charlie? He didn’t …”
“No. The lady who took care of her? That was his cousin. She took really good care of her. He threatened her daughter, and that’s why she took Charlie. She didn’t have a choice.”
“But Charlie is okay?”
“She’s perfect, Tianna. So fuckin’ perfect. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you, but Charlie? My God, she is everything.” Tianna smiles at me and nods her head.
“She is perfect.”
“You want to see her? You want me to bring her up here?” She shakes her head.
“I don’t want her to see me like this,” she says softly.
“We’re gonna get you home, Tianna, and this time I’m never lettin’ you go.”
“I don’t want you to. I’m so sorry, Remy. I should never have left you to begin with. I should have … I don’t know what I should have done, but I know I should have done everything differently.”
“We’re here now, yeah? Neither of us is goin’ anywhere. I know you don’t like the club shit, and I’ll do my best to keep it away from you and Charlie, but I can’t let you go. I’m never lettin’ you go.”
“The club is your family. I see that now, and I would never ask you to leave it.”
“They’ve done so much to help me with Charlie. Kiki has watched her, taken care of her. Gunner is a proud grandpa,” I chuckle a little.
“I could see him in that role.”