Page 49 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door
“Bear, is he going to be okay?” Harper asks, breaking into my thoughts.
I glance up at her, my own fear mirrored in her eyes. Quietly, I add, “If we don’t move fast, he won’t make it.”
I need to give her some hope, give myself hope. I need to believe that he’s gonna be fine just as much as she does. But if that bullet’s nicked an artery, he won’t make it.
Turning to her I say, “He’s unconscious but breathing. But he’s losing a lot of blood. We need to get him to a hospital. Fast.”
Chapter 28
Harper
Bear doesn’t let go of my hand the whole journey to the hospital. Nor does he mind that my other hand clings to Wolf’s, that my focus is on him alone. He murmurs words of comfort as they wheel Wolf into surgery, and he does the talking when words fail me as the kind nurses and doctors look me over, checking that the baby is okay. He fights my corner when the police try to interview me, insisting there is a lawyer present.
After all, I killed a man tonight.
Viktor is dead. He’s finally gone.
The police are trying to determine whether it was a case of self-defense. My lawyer, Mira’s brother Ted, is confident that no charges will be brought against me, that it is a clear case of self-defense, and several witnesses attest to that fact.
I wish I were as certain of my innocence. But I know the truth. I could have shot Viktor elsewhere, incapacitated him without killing him, but I didn’t. I wanted him dead.
The worst part? I don’t even feel guilty. I’m glad he’s gone. If I could kill him all over again, I would.
I focus all of the fear and worry I feel for Wolf into my anger against Viktor. The doctors say Wolf will survive, the surgery was successful, but he’s still not awake yet. The bullet collapsed his lung, and had it been a few inches lower, it would have hit his heart. He’s lucky to be alive.
If he died tonight, it would be because of me. He’s in here because of me. I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive myself.
I am grateful for Bear’s comforting presence through all of this. Hawk is with Jenny. I wouldn’t have him anywhere else. I am so glad that he chose to protect her over coming for me. He knew that was what I wanted without me ever having to ask. Of course, Bear and Wolf love Jenny, too, but they knew Hawk would be best suited to rescue her tonight, and that we may need Bear’s medical knowledge. I know that with Hawk there, Jenny is unafraid and well protected. Hawk’s already ten times the father Ryan ever was. Knowing my daughter is safe and unaware of everything that’s going on tonight takes one less worry from my mind.
I can’t wait to be with all three of my men together again. To be held by them and know that we are all safe. That we survived this.
It still doesn’t feel real that Viktor is gone.
“How are you feeling?” Mira asks, handing me a lukewarm cup of coffee from the hospital cafeteria. It tastes like dirt, but I take it gratefully.
“I’m exhausted. Both physically and emotionally.”
“That’s understandable,” she says, holding out another cup for Bear.
Bear takes it, his other hand still firmly holding mine. “Thank you,” he replies, and Mira nods, her eyes narrowed slightly.
I can tell Mira is wary of this big, burly man that I’ve fallen in love with. It’s the first time she’s meeting any of them, and I desperately want her to like him, but Bear is on edge,worrying about Wolf and me. He doesn’t necessarily give the best first impression as is, looking far more intimidating than he is with his shaved head and tattoos, let alone now when he’s tense and sullen.
I’d have thought he’d be the easiest one to introduce to people, but he’s not his usual, jovial self. He’s barely said two words to Mira other than asking how, as my witness protection officer, she allowed Viktor to find me in the first place. The pair exchanged some tense words and have now fallen into frosty silence, where they mostly ignore each other. The coffee is an olive branch of sorts, Mira’s acknowledgement that Bear is simply protective of me.
“Harper, why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known, I would have—”
“You would have made me start over again, and I didn’t want that. Not to mention how complicated it would be with Ryan. I was tired of hiding, and I finally had a life I wasn’t willing to leave behind.”
Mira smiles softly. “I’m glad to hear that.”
At that moment, a nurse appears. We look up, eager for information.
“Is it Wolf? I mean Logan. Is he awake?” I ask hopefully.
“Sorry, no, not yet. It’s your other friend, the woman who came in with you all, Susan. She’s asking to see you.”
The last thing I want to do is see Susan. She may have redeemed herself by saving my life, but she was the one who gave up my daughter’s location and fed Viktor crucial information. I’m not sure if I can forgive her.
