Page 72 of Fanatic

When Willow had returned to Hellfire, Mum and Dad left, but Willow had clearly been through something emotional. She’d headed straight for my arms and clung to me. Quietly, Willow had asked to go home, and I’d obliged.

I’d sat with my back to the bathroom wall in her bedroom as I played with Danny and Willow soaked her stress away and ranted. At first, I’d been ready to kill Wild and Cowboy, but she said their actions had brought her a sense of closure.

Willow had got irate at my arrest and threatened to castrate Lio and Gold. Willow had given her statement and made several scathing remarks to Hope and Morris. It was amusing at how annoyed she was with Lio and Gold.

I wasn’t happy either, and living with this hanging over my head was driving me insane. But luckily, I’d listened to my gut and could prove I was at home. I’d sent our private footage to Adeline, who confirmed receipt. My Harley had also been under a camera, which covered the drive and my two cars, which proved I’d not left the house.

But even so, knowing I was innocent didn’t stop the feeling of heading to the gallows. Whoever had beaten April had seriously hurt her badly, and she was also claiming rape. The SPD needed to press April properly and discover the culprit. Because it wasn’t me. I felt sorry for April but hated her too, because of the stress she was causing. Luckily, Willow and my family knew I was blameless and were standing by me.

Now, it was the next day, and things didn’t seem as dire.

Jinx entered the bay, and I glanced up.

“Fanatic, I thought a fallen brother’s Harley was off limits?”

“It is, you’re not wrong. Why?”

“Clark asked about Willow’s man’s bike. Clark seemed to think he could buy it.”

“Clark’s mistaken, and I’ve told him it’s not for sale. If Clark’s running his mouth, let me know,” I said.

Jinx nodded and stepped inside. I tensed because Danny wasn’t here to neutralise the Jinx effect.

“I saw Vampire outside earlier. He was lurking but didn’t approach. That struck me as strange.”

“Thanks, Jinx. Keep an eye out, yeah?”

“Sure thing, Fanatic.” Jinx strolled out and headed towards the gates, even though he was on bar duty in a bit. There was a loud crash as someone’s toolbox fell over in the next bay and an agonised cry.

“Jinx!” came the expected yell, and Jinx jauntily waved over his shoulder.

“Should have stacked that properly!” Jinx yelled in return.

That amused me. Ever since his chat with Willow, Jinx had come into his own. Everyone was commenting on Jinx’s increased confidence.

Chuckling, I returned to work.

???

An hour later, I took a break. Something seemed wrong.

A sudden, intense headache had struck, and my hands shook. There was a sense of distance from everything, accompanied by light-headedness and a shuddering weakness. I dragged my phone out to call Chance when I felt myself going down. Blackness surrounded me, and it didn’t matter how hard I fought, it swallowed me.

Willow

I was just finishing some notes when my phone buzzed. At first, I ignored it, but then it began silently ringing. Chance’s name flashed up. I let it ring out, but it started up again. Jesus!

“Chance, I’m at work.”

“Fanatic’s unconscious. He collapsed at the garage, he’s being rushed to the ER,” Chance snapped.

“Which one,” I demanded, standing. Jimenez looked up as I gathered my items together. Chance spat out which hospital and hung up.

“Jimenez, I have to go. Fanatic’s collapsed.”

“Go. I can handle the last interview and inform you how it goes,” he said.

“Thanks.”

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