Page 132 of Stella
“Already done,” says Kai. “Hey Dad, maybe we can talk about me prospecting?”
Dad rolls his eyes. “I have the only two kids in the entire world who see a clubhouse blow up, get shot at, fire a gun and they want more of the action? Jesus Christ, kids, give your old Dad a break.”
Kai smiles. “I did good though, right?”
Dad kisses him too. Kai protests, but in the end he gives up. “Never too old for a kiss from your dad, son. I’m proud of you, too.”
Calli sits at my feet. She’s been such a good girl, and the hospital staff said she was allowed to stay because she’s technically a working dog. I think they just said that because there’s a room full of bikers, and they didn’t want pandemonium on their hands.
Ryder, Priest, Hawk, the twins; Rock and Jett, and Bronco all went back to deal with the police. I have no idea what’s going on there, because I’ve been here since they brought Cale in.
It feels like forever until we’re told it’s okay to go in. I sit with Cale’s stricken grandparents, filling them in as best I can. They had no idea about Cash, so that’s been an interesting turn of events, but when we’re called in, Cale’s grandma holds my hand.
“He told me about you.” She smiles. “He’s a good boy. Always was a little hothead, the only trait he inherited from his mom.”
I smile weakly. “He’s as strong as an ox, smart, brave and funny. I see he got that from you two.”
Cale’s grandpa puts an arm around his wife. “Are you two gonna stop yackin’, or can we go see our boy?”
When we’re let inside the hospital room, I let his grandparents go in first until they give us some privacy. Cale is wired up and, while conscious, he looks pale and almost frail in that bed. I stop, my hands over my face as I try to stop the tears. Calli nudges me with her head. I reach down to stroke her. She moves with me every single step of the way, like a shadow,protecting me, until we get to Cale’s bedside. Propping her head up on the bed, she whines.
“It’s okay,” Cale whispers. “Dad’s gonna be okay, big girl.”
I stroke his face. “You gave us quite a scare.”
“I was so worried about you.”
I wipe my nose with my sleeve. “You were worried about me?” I shake my head. “Oh, Cale, what am I going to do with you? You got shot!”
“And that rat told me you were buried alive,” he coughs as he speaks. “Fuck, Stell, I thought you were gone. After hearing that Cash didn’t make it, I sent Calli after Vanders when he tried to escape. She did good.”
“You both did,” I whisper. “Try not to talk. You need to rest now. The sooner you’re on the mend, the sooner you’ll get out of here and I can take care of you.”
He smiles, that loveable cheekiness I adore about him is still there in spades. “You’re gonna look after me?”
“Yes, and that means I’ll cook for you, too.” Calli nudges me. “Ooh, and Calli.” I stroke her head. “She’s been pacing and crying the entire time.”
“She loves her dad,” he says.
“I love her dad, too. You don’t know how much.”
“Hearing that is all I need to get through this. Knowing you’re okay.” Tears well in his eyes, and I brush them when they fall. “I’d want to die if anything happened to you.”
I kiss him chastely. “Nobody’s dying. I’m a tough cookie. I took two guys down and shot Bryce, it was epic.”
“Who the fuck is Bryce?”
“Never mind,” I say. “I’ll fill you in when you’re not hooked up to a million different monitors.”
“I love you, Stella. It’s only ever gonna be you.”
I stroke his face. “I love you, too. Always and forever.”
We may be slightly bent, but we’re not broken. We will get through this.
And whatever is ahead of us, we’ll tackle it head on.
That’s the way it was meant to be.
