Page 8 of Devil in Disguise

“He can’t move Danny!” I cried. “He had brain surgery. He needs to heal.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling him, but the fucker isn’t listening to anyone. He doesn’t give a shit.”

The elevator doors opened and I could hear the yelling from down the hall. Walking fast, I passed club brothers both from the Golden Skulls and the Soulless Sinners as they lined the hallway, listening intently while Ace shouted at Reaper and Montana.

“I don’t give a flying fuck!” Danny’s brother roared. “He’s my brother. What I say goes and I want him moved. I don’t want him anywhere near you. He’s in the hospital because of you fuckers.”

Ace’s words were sharp and filled with fury, echoing through the hall and into the depths of my soul. I felt the tension in the air, a palpable force that seemed to press against my chest. The clamor of competing voices grew louder, each demanding to be heard.

Reaper, his face hard like granite, stood his ground. “This isn’t about what you want, Ace. It’s about what’s best for Danny. He needs to stay here and recover.”

Montana nodded in agreement, his expression equally resolute. “We’ve got the best doctors on the east coast here. Moving him now could jeopardize his recovery.”

But Ace wasn’t listening. His eyes burned with fierce determination, a protectiveness that bordered on madness. “You think I trust you? After everything that’s happened. Get him ready to move, now!”

Payne tugged at my arm, pulling me closer. “Do something,” he whispered urgently.

Nodding, I stepped forward, trying to find the words that might break through Ace’s rage. “Ace, please, just think about Danny. He needs to heal. Moving him now could cause more harm than good.”

Ace turned his glare on me, his breath ragged and intense. For a moment, I thought he might lash out, but he hesitated, his anger warring with the love he had for his brother. The hallway fell into a tense silence, every eye watching, every ear listening. And in that fragile moment, I hoped that reason might finally prevail.

“No.” Ace’s voice hardened as the fury he was feeling encompassed him. Stalking toward me, he seethed, “You. You did this. Because of you, my brother is lying in a hospital bed. Because of you, he got fucking blown up. This entire fucking mess is because of you!”

The accusation sent a wave of guilt crashing over me, nearly knocking me off balance. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat. Ace’s fury was a storm, wild and uncontainable, and I was trapped in its eye.

Reaper stepped forward, placing himself between Ace and me, his eyes steady and unflinching. “Enough, Ace,” he said quietly, yet with an authority that could not be ignored. “Blaming Dante will not help Danny.”

Montana joined him, his voice calm but firm. “We need to focus on what’s important—the kid’s recovery. That’s all that matters right now.”

The tension in the hall was suffocating as the weight of emotions pressed down on all of us. Payne squeezed my arm, a silent reminder that I was not alone in this. I drew a deep breath, trying to steady myself amidst the chaos.

Ace’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, the rage wavering for a heartbeat. “What if something happens while he’s here?” His voice cracked, revealing the underlying fear that drove his fury.

Reaper’s gaze softened, and he spoke with a quiet conviction. “We’ll protect him, Ace. All of us. We’ve got security, the best medical staff. Danny is safer here.”

Ace’s shoulders slumped slightly, the fire in his eyes dimming as exhaustion began to take its toll. He looked around at each of us, his desperation palpable. “He’s my baby brother. Dad said I had to protect him. I just want him to be safe,” he whispered, exposing a vulnerability that was painful to witness.

“We all do,” I said gently, taking a step forward. “And we’ll do everything in our power to ensure that he is.”

The hallway remained silent. The tension easing just a fraction. Ace nodded reluctantly; his fierce protectiveness tempered by the collective resolve of those around him. It was a fragile peace, but it was enough for now.

We all milled around the hallway, waiting for the doctor to step out of the room. Whatever they were doing in there, they were taking their bloody time. I wanted answers. I needed to know that Danny was okay, and the longer it took, the more anxious I got. Finally, the door opened, and the doctor stepped out, handing off a chart to a nurse.

Ace wasted no time stepping over to the woman when she looked up and locked eyes with me.

“Well?” Ace demanded.

When the doctor didn’t say a word, Malice walked over to her and whispered something in her ear. She blinked and nodded.

“Come on, Doc. Don’t keep us waiting,” Fury piped up.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “There’s been a complication.”

“What do you mean?” Ace asked.

“There’s a small bleed that’s causing a bit of swelling.”

“Then go back in and fix it!”

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