Page 5 of Flame's Fight

Reaper leans closer, so I repeat my question.

“You were outside Killian’s apartment waiting for Deion. He was going to help find Trask and turn him over to the cops. Trask must have gotten wind of the plan and came at you and Shield, guns blazing. He shot Shield in the shoulder. He’s fine. Deion got shot in the leg. He’s a couple floors up. You got hit the worst. Shot in the back. Tally operated on you and removed the bullet.”

“I can’t move.” I whisper.

“Yeah. She thinks it’s temporary.” Reaper says, but I hear the fear in his voice.

“When?” I ask. “How long?”

“When did it happen?” Reaper asks before answering. “Three days.”

That explains how they got back from Las Vegas. “Mom?” I ask.

“She’s been in and out.” Ashlyn says. “We’re taking turns sitting with you. Once Tally comes in to see you, I’ll go out and get her.”

“Ok.” I say and give up talking for a while.

“I hear you’re back with us.” Tally says as she breezes into the room. “I was getting ready to pull the plug.” She grins.

“Hey, Doc.” I manage. “I tried to keep sleeping, but these guys were yammering.”

She chuckles as moves closer to examine me. I’m laying partially on my side, but I feel her cool hands against my back. She is checking the wound. I feel her press around the area. It hurts, but it’s more like an ache than a sharp pain.

“Swelling looks a little better. You can move your arms?” She asks as she comes around to the other side. I open and close my fists.

“My muscles feel tired.” I tell her. “My fingers are tingly.”

She nods. “That’s a good sign. How about your legs?” I see her shift the sheet out of the way, but I don’t feel the fabric against my skin. In fact, I feel nothing. My breathing picks up, and Tally sense it. She places her hand on my arm, drawing my eyes to hers. “The bullet did not damage your spine. But it wreaked havoc on your body. Your body hasn’t heeled yet. Swelling can cause you to lose feeling in your legs. It is not likely to be permanent.”

“But it could be?” I force out.

She pauses but nods. “Once the swelling goes down, you will probably regain feeling. That likelihood is greater than you never walking again. You are strong, young, and healthy. You may need to go through physical therapy, but I will not let you give up hope. Got me?”

I grin at her. “Got you, doc.”

She smiles back. “Good. The nurse will be by later to change your dressing. I’m also ordering another CT scan to check on the swelling. Now that you’re awake, we’ll move you out of ICU and into recovery. In the meantime, sleep.”

“Yes, doc.” I tell her, grinning when she rolls her eyes.

After she leaves, I drift off. Until I feel a hand on my arm. It’s my mom and behind her is Axel, his back to the door, likely on guard duty. I feel a twinge of jealousy when I see my brother in his prospect kutte. Another reminder of what I’ll lose if I can’t walk again. If I can’t ride, I’ll lose my spot with the club. Fighting the despair, I close my eyes to calm my thoughts.

“How are you feeling?” My mom asks. She looks older and worn down. Probably from worrying about me.

“Hey.” I say, trying to strengthen my voice, but the flash of worry in her eyes tells me I didn’t succeed.

“You scared us.” Mom says as she adjusts the sheets on my bed.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” I’m not sure what to say to her. She was worried that I would end up dead when I joined the club. This incident brought me pretty close. I can’t even lie to her and tell her I’ll be fine.

“Tally is taking good care of you.” Mom says. “So are the nurses. Do what they say and you’ll be back up and causing problems again in no time.” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

She’s worried, but she’s fighting to contain her fear. I need to follow her example.

I will walk again.

I have to.

There is no other option.

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