Page 87 of Fanatic

“Just fuckin’ tell me what the hell happened,” I exploded, causing people to look over.

“Fanatic,” Ramirez said, approaching with Ben on his heels. “Nando and Lucas are processing the scene. The witnesses are saying the same thing. They saw Ellen stop outside the ice-cream shop and lift Danny out of the stroller. They went inside, and when they came out, a guy tried to grab Danny.

“Ellen began screaming and hitting the man to keep him from Danny. Ellen was struck twice, but wouldn’t let go of Danny. An older woman carrying a baby being attacked and wearing a Rage cut grabbed attention. A couple of guys rushed over to help. The attacker shoved Ellen to the ground in a last-ditch attempt to snatch Danny, but she held on, and the asshole fled.

“Someone called it in and tried to help Ellen up, but she began having chest pains before collapsing. Ellen still wouldn’t let go. Luckily Marissa Hawthorne was nearby and recognised Ellen and phoned Dylan before grabbing Danny,” Ramirez explained.

“Do we have an image?” Dad asked as I ground my teeth. Someone had come close to taking my boy, and they’d caused a woman I adored to have a heart attack.

“No. We’re collecting CCTV, some of the shop owners are being awkward,” Ben answered.

“Which ones? I’ll have it brought to you within an hour,” Dad said.

“Drake, you can’t go breaking kneecaps on this one,” Ben replied.

“No, but I can fuckin’ remind them who provides them protection and who saved the city. Then I’ll ask how long they think their business will survive once it gets out that theywouldn’t help Rage. Worse, how long would they be able to stay in town when it concerns a man who attacked a Rage MC old lady and tried to take her grandson. Give Ace the names, and you’ll have that footage soon,” Dad stated.

“Ace,” Ben called, and I shook my head. A year ago, Ben would have argued the toss. Now he just didn’t give a shit. Ben was another one the war had scarred.

“How is Ellen?” I asked. “Does anyone know?”

“Marissa stayed with her and got in the ambulance. She said they were doing chest compressions as they wheeled her in. It’s not looking good,” Dad answered, and I looked to Axel.

“Axel won’t wanna live without her,” I whispered.

“No, but he’s got a grandson and kids to live for,” Dad replied.

“But Axel won’t have his spark,” I murmured, and Dad nodded. We all needed Ellen to pull through.

Minutes ticked past, and silence fell as Rage came in droves. Old ladies, brothers, legacies, and princesses. We all came. Jodie had called and said she was catching a flight, and Serenity was already on one. The younger children were all at the childcare centre at HQ. The rest of us waited.

It sickened me because it reminded me of the hours after the war. Rage had stood here praying for three lives, and I’d been right there with them. Dad. Calamity. Grey.

There were differences, the old ladies and kids were present. The allies were missing. It wasn’t chaos with wounded and bodies being rushed through and doctors and nurses prioritising who to save first. Who had the better chance of survival.

I checked Willow and saw the effects of her being here. I crossed the room and rubbed her back as she held tightly onto Axel. Willow wouldn’t leave her dad, but this was killing her. I glanced at the emergency doors and prayed someone would have some news soon.

???

An hour later, we stood up as Doc Gibbons entered. He seemed tired but smiled, and we all relaxed. If he was smiling, Ellen was alive.

“Ellen had a bad heart attack. She came in flatline, but the paramedics restarted her heart as she was wheeled in. Ellen’s going to need bypass surgery, and we’re scheduling that now. She’s comfortable and can have guests. No more than two at a time, and keep to five minutes. The entire MC can’t go and visit. Ellen needs to rest before the operation. The baby doesn’t count as a body, so someone could take him with them,” Doc Gibbons said.

I appreciated the fact he didn’t do all that bullshit rigmarole, asking for Ellen’s family. He’d no need to. Now they knew Ellen was going to be okay Rage and their families began filtering out. Hellfire also took their leave and left us there.

Axel sat in a chair in the waiting room, flanked by Wild and Cowboy. Willow, Danny, and I were opposite him. Apache and Ace remained alongside Mum and Dad. Axel had his family, and we’d not leave him to suffer this alone.

It was two hours before we were informed Ellen was going down, and four hours after that, we learned she come through it. Cowboy and Axel were staying at the hospital that night. Willow and Wild were staying during the day tomorrow. I planned to keep Danny with me as we’d be sleeping at Reading Hall. Poor little tyke needed to get used to his multitude of aunts and uncles.

Willow and I headed up to say goodbye and thank you to Ellen before we left and headed to Reading Hall. We were beyond tired and drained, and it was about all we could to feed Danny and fall into bed.

???

“Okay, which of you shits have nicked Danny?” I bellowed as I searched the Hall for him.

“Fanatic?” Dad asked.

“The kids have Danny.” I sighed.

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