Page 43 of Flyboy's Nightingale
He appears to be completely devoid of any emotion. The look in his eyes is almost as if I’m looking at a dead man walking. All the men in the group are holding their women close. Unsure why we’re standing around waiting, and not heading for the clubhouse, I decide to take my chances and ask Flyboy.
“Why are we waiting here in the garage? Shouldn’t we go to the hospital, or at least go back to the clubhouse?”
Flyboy looks down at me, trying to hide the pain and trauma of the day behind his grin. “Waiting on the rest of the boys to show up so we can head to the hospital together. There are several that have to ride in the van, so we want to be sure it’s closed in and as protected as we can make it.”
“Aren’t you guys worried that they’ll come back and do it again?” I try to reason.
Flyboy huffs out a humorless laugh, saying, “With the amount of cops now rolling around this neighborhood, they’d have a death wish if they did.”
I nod before dropping my head on his shoulder. I don’t listen closely to anyone around me, just let the hum of their quiet voices coccoon me, making me feel safe. For the first time since seeing the first glint of metal, I let the events of the day come rushing back to me. I allow the waves of sorrow, tragedy, and destruction pull me into their depths. The sound of another sobreverberating across the garage brings my eyes open to land on Lil’ Red who’s wrapped tightly in Duck’s arms.
Leaning up, I kiss Flyboy on the cheek before making my way to her, pulling her from Duck and into my arms so that we can break together, the way only women can. It takes no time for Vixen and Edge to join us. The men say nothing, just lend us quiet support while still allowing us the space to fall apart.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Flyboy
We stand there watchingas the women that hold our souls, hug each other and cry. I want to snatch Riley away, throw her over my shoulder, and hide her away so no one can ever harm her in any way ever again but I know that that isn’t an option. So I just stand there with the rest of the men, lending support where we can. The rumble of bikes is so loud that the ground beneath our feet vibrates from three streets over.
“Looks like the cavalry has arrived. Let’s go check on our boy,” Torch expresses, not at all sounding like the strong man that we all know.
Slowly, the women pull apart going to their men. I pull Riley close, kissing her on the forehead before standing, using my crutches. Everyone solemnly makes their way out of the garage and toward our waiting brothers. As we make it to the van, Prez meets us, pulling each of us into a bone breaking hug. When he makes it to Riley, he pauses, waiting for her to make the first move.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Steel. I told you this would happen,” Riley sobs before falling into Steel’s chest.
Steel wraps his arms around her, whispering low and quiet to her. Whatever he says must reassure her because Riley nods her head before pulling away from him. They watch each other before Prez kisses her on the top of the head like he does all the Ol’ ladies. Prez passes Riley back to me before turning to my brothers.
“We ride to find out the fate of our brother. Once that is done, every officer will be in church and every brother will be at the club. From this moment forward, we’re on lockdown!” Prez hollers, raising his fist.
All the brothers cry out in unison. Prez turns looking at Noah, ordering, “You'll take Coin’s bike straight to the clubhouse. Let everyone who is there know that they need to make sure rooms are ready and things are fully stocked.”
Noah just gives him a stiff nod before walking slowly toward Coin’s bike. We all stand in complete silence as Noah pulls aways with several of the brothers following close behind him. Once they’re out of sight and the rumble of their bikes gone, those of us left behind mount their bikes as Duck, Lil’ Red, Riley, and I load into the van. Once there is enough room for the van to back out of the driveway, we pull out, falling into formation.
We make it to the hospital before anyone is ready to face whatever the outcome will be. As we make our way out of the van, Prez is giving orders about where everyone needs to be to insure the hospital is fully covered. When Riley climbs out, she doesn’t slow down long enough to find out what Prez wants her to do, she just heads for the E.R. doors with me following her as closely as I can on my crutches.
Making it into the hospital, I take a deep breath of the familiar, but off-putting smell. Fuck, I’ve missed working in E.R. Riley is at the desk, talking to the young woman who isinsisting that since she isn’t family, they can’t give her any of the information she’s asking for. Making my way over to her, I lean on the counter, laying my hand on her back.
“Sorry, she is just unbelievably worried about my brother. He was brought in by ambulance about an hour ago,” I tell her sweetly.
“Oh my, the gunshot victims are your family?” she asks, sounding worried on my behalf.
“That’s them. Can you please have the doctor speak with us right away? The woman that was brought in, can you tell me her status?” I wonder if they’ll give me the information.
“I’m so sorry, sir, but I can’t. You’ve got to be the next of kin due to HIPPA laws,” she apologetically states.
Riley turns to me with wide eyes, and asks, “How’re we supposed to find out what happened to Candy? Do you know her next of kin?”
“That would be me,” Pretty Boy whispers right behind me.
“What do you mean? I know you guys have history but how the fuck are you her next of kin?” I’m truly taken aback by this information.
“That, brother, is a story for another day. Today, we get through this shit, and then one day, I’ll tell you the long, fucked up story.” Pretty Boy smacks me on the back before going to the counter and talking to the woman.
“The Doctor’ll be out in just a moment to speak with you in regard to both of the patients.” Her smile is sad when she says this.
Pretty Boy gives her a stiff nod as he turns, making his way over to the wall directly across from the front doors that lead into the E.R. Torch, Razor, and Duck come into the hospital, lining up beside him. Each and every one of them wearing the same look of worry and anger. I move to stand with them, hissing when pain shoots up my leg. Looking down, I notice forthe first time that my brace isn’t situated quite right. I look over my shoulder at Riley who is watching me close.
