Page 88 of Goose

Goose nods again and then walks out. Zane pulls me down onto his chest like he knows my heart is hurting already.

“What if something bad happens? I can’t lose him, Zane.”

He gently rubs my back as I cry on him. “He’s gonna be okay. Pres made him enforcer for a reason.”

I sigh and sit up. Zane is right, but I still can’t help but worry.

“Hey, is Olivia still here?”

Zane shrugs. “Hell if I know, woman.”

I laugh and get off the bed. “Well, I’m gonna go find out.”

“Uh, no. You have to stay where I can see you.”

I take out my gun to show him. “I’ll be fine. Joker’s guys are out there. When I find her, I’ll wheel her back here and she can be with us. Relax, little brother.”

Zane sighs and lays his head back. “You’re gonna be the death of me, woman.”

I just laugh as I walk out. I wander down the hall until I find one of the nurses.

“Hi! Is Olivia still here?”

She nods and points to the room three doors down from Zane’s. I smile and walk over, softly knocking on the door as I open it.

“Olivia?”

The little blonde woman sits up as I walk in. “Hey, Bambi!”

I pull the chair over to her bed. “How you feeling, babe?”

She smiles up at me. “I’m good. Almost ready to go home. How are you? Everything okay?”

“That’s good. I’m doing alright. You know how it is.”

She nods. “Do you have any idea why this happened to me?”

I sigh and lean back in the chair. “I really don’t. I wish I had an answer for you, Olivia. Can you tell me what you remember from that night?”

“I was leaving the diner and walking to my car. Somebody attacked me from behind, they had a black ski mask pulled over their head. They were small, almost looked like a woman’s body. They slammed me against my car and then there was a sting in my neck. Everything went black after that. I remember being in a basement with two people but they had burlap sacks over their heads. One was a woman that’s for sure. She wasn’t breathing...the other was a man. Two hooded figures beat us all without saying a word. Then they hit me with the needle and I woke up outside the compound. I ran inside then more black...”

I squeeze her hand tight, “I’m so sorry, Olivia. We’re going to find whoever did this and destroy them. I promise.”

“But why me? I teach kindergarten, pay my bills on time, stay out of trouble! I’m nice to everybody and this just hurts so much...”

Olivia turns and stares out the window. I take her hand in mine and she looks up at me as I clear my throat.

“I think I have an idea. I think... I think it’s because you were with Goose at some point and-”

She holds her hand up and laughs. “Oh god. It wasn’t like that! I was just way too drunk one night at the bar after a nasty breakup. Goose took me home and was a perfect gentleman. I tried to come onto him and everything with no reaction on his part. Oh god, this is embarrassing.”

I smile and laugh with her. “Well, can’t say I’m happy to hear that!”

“He’s all about you, Bambi. Always has been. You’re a lucky woman to have him. But anyway, what are you doing here?”

“Sitting with Zane. He’s my brother!”

Olivia grins and pats my hand. “That’s wonderful news. That boy is as sweet as they come. Grab that wheelchair and let’s get back in there then!”

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