Page 58 of Bounty
Effie coughed again. “I’m so hot and cold. I want Cassie to read a story to me and fix her soup. Never mind,” she mumbled. “I smell it. I love you, Cass.”
“I love you too, Effie,” Cassie said, sniffling.
“Tell Heath I fought just like he taught me. He’s the best big brother ever.”
Heath nodded and pressed his lips together, although Effie didn’t see him. Her gaze was unfocused and she faced a different direction.
Effie swayed.
“Lay down, love,” Ophelia said softly.
“Okay.”
“I’m placing you on speakerphone, Mortician.” Until Cash spoke, I didn’t realize he’d stepped away. “Tell Fee what to do.”
“Which bag Stretch grabbed?” a voice said from Cash’s phone that now rested on the bar near Effie’s head. “You see IV supplies? Any vials of meds and syringes?”
Ophelia looked around at what my tantrum had scattered on the bar and the floor. “Negative. I think it’s just a basic kit.”
“It is,” Stretch said. “I thought we were only coming for recon. That’s why we’ve scrambled to get what we need.”
“She’s pretty bad off, Mort,” Ophelia said hesitantly.
“Fuck. Give me a few minutes,” Mortician said. “Austin, right?”
“Yeah,” Cash supplied.
The line disconnected.
“Slice?” Effie called and burst into tears. “Where’s Slice? I tried to save him. Dutch is a liar and a motherfucker. Tell him don’t go to Jackson. They’ll kill him and I love him,” she rambled.
“I’m here, sweetheart,” I said, surprised when Daria stepped back and allowed me to take her place. I brushed my lips over Effie’s, emotions swirling inside me. “Hey.”
Her unfocused gaze studied me and a smile tipped up her lips. “Slice—”
“Sit her up,” Ophelia said. “She’s burning up. We have to bring her temperature down.”
“When are we going to the airport?” I demanded, following Ophelia’s instructions. Holding the blanket in place, I wrapped an arm around Effie. Once she swallowed the acetaminophen, I guided her back down. “What are we waiting for?”
“That would be me.”
I glanced over my shoulder and found a man with black hair, dressed in trousers, loafers, and a button-down, smirking at Cash.
“Fucking asshole,” he snapped. “I fucking told you to wear jeans, Josh.”
“Which is why I wore trousers, big brother.” Josh zeroed in on my cut and smiled at me. “I love fucking with him.” Stepping to where I stood, he patted me on the back.
TheAddams Family Theme Songblasted through the clubhouse. Josh lifted a brow, Stretch shook his head, and Ophelia rolled her eyes as Cash answered.
“Josh there?” Mortician asked.
Despite the serious situation, a chuckle escaped me. Fucking Cash. I didn’t understand why he chose that song, but his little brain probably justified it.
“I just rolled in,” Josh answered.
“Everything set up. I’m texting the address. Ms. Elodie will be waiting. Get Effie there, then hit me up. We need to get Ms. Elodie her money and the amount she want might take fucking days. You make the transaction and we’ll reimburse you, Josh. Ophelia, call me when you, Josh, and Effie on the way.”
“I’m going with Effie,” I said, the minute the call disconnected.
