Page 157 of Restless
“You don’t have the right to stay in here if I’ve asked you to leave,” he countered. “This hospital is loyal to theDeath Dwellers, not merely the Caldwells. I have rights too.”
“Sweet summer child,” Rebel cackled. She got to her feet. “I hate to pull rank, little man, but Iama Caldwell as well as a Foy. Do youreallywant me to tell you who outranks who?”
“You’re a fucking cu—”
“I wouldn’t if I were you, Ryan,” CJ warned softly. “My sister is more than capable of wrapping your fucking tongue around your head, but I’d be an awful big brother if she had to defend herself in my presence.”
“I’ll leave it up to Molly.” Ryan glowered at her, not caring about her tears or her injuries. “Do you want to see me alone as I’ve requested? Me? Your boyfriend.”
“Oh my god, fuckhead.” Rebel fisted her hands on her hips. “You have no fucking shame. This isn’t about you, twat waddle, so please spare me. And spare Molly. She’s been through enough. Be careful what you say to her. Come on, CJ. I guess I have to suffer Harley to give the crybaby time alone with Molly.” Throwing Ryan a dirty look, she stalked just outside the door.
“It’s twat waffle!” Ryan yelled.
Really, what else could he say? CJ started to turn.
“Look,” Molly said to no one in particular. “Mama’s here.”
He froze, exchanging a look with Ryan. Neither of them knew how to respond.
Rebel walked back into the room and returned to Molly’s bedside. She took the hand connected to the IV and held it gently. “Where is she?”
“On my cheeks, Rebel.”
Ryan staggered to the other side of Molly’s bed and smiled at her. He slid his hand over her head. “We don’t see her.”
“She’s on my cheeks, Ryan,” Molly insisted hoarsely. “In the tracks of my tears.”
After that asshole left him alone in the log cabin, Ryan hadn’t taken long to get to the club. He wasn’t sure when he’d be comfortable on his own. Maybe, tomorrow? But the images were still too fresh in his mind. When Orange told Ryan he needed to get to the hospital to relieve Slipper from duty, Ryan rode bitch. He wanted to see Molly. He’d thought once she was cleaned up, her injuries wouldn’t seem as bad.
He was wrong.
She looked broken and delicate. If he could, he would marry her to give her protection. Except hewasliving on borrowed time. He was still months away from his seventeenth birthday, so it was entirely possible the Dwellers would think Val knew about Ryan’s activities. Or even pushed him to an alliance with Bash.
Huh. There was a scenario worth considering, although that didn’t solve Molly’s problems now. Nor would his parents, especially that she-wolf, ever allow him to wed Molly.
Leaning over, he brushed his lips over hers. They were cracked and dry.
“Why’d Tom do this?” he asked.
Shifting away from Ryan, Molly sniffled. “Bash grew twenty-five fists and they all beat me.”
Ryan squinted, sick to his stomach. “Molly, baby, don’t go in your head,” he pleaded. “I need you to tell me what happened.”Sensibly.
Molly fixated on Ryan’s face. “Bash stole her head and made me carry it,” she said finally, staring at him without blinking. “I washed her hair. She sang to me. I couldn’t find her neck.”
Maybe, he shouldn’t have mentioned her father.
“CJ?”
All Ryan’s sympathy vanished, and he stiffened. Maybe, he’d regret his actions. For now, he felt justified. First, he’d call Bash, then Molly’s father. After all, the man deserved to know his daughter’s location.
Aching everywhere, Harley closed her eyes and rested on the gurney in the ER. Lolly sat in one of the chairs, waiting for Mommie’s arrival.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Harley opened her eyes. She knew it wasn’t her mother. Whoever was coming didn’t possess Mommie’s confident stride.
Rebel appeared a moment before CJ strolled into view. Harley realized it was his boots she’d heard, since Rebel wore sneakers.
“Hey,” Lolly greeted, her smile wide. “Meggie already called. There’s an issue with her paperwork.”
