Page 55 of Exile & Lula
LULA
While Sabrina and Exile spoke in the bathroom, Moe assured me that my sister was a fan of the biker. Even though I believed her, I still got agitated enough to break up their conversation.
Exile was fine, of course. He’d faced more horrifying sights than my meddling sister. However, I needed him close as I faced the aftermath of the attack.
With Exile at my side, I spoke with the doctor who put a positive spin on everything. Feeling paranoid, I texted Jarred to ask him to give the sisters’ medical records a look. I was afraid the Little Memphis doctors were too scared of the club to be honest.
Back in the hospital room, I sat with Stevie and watched Cher.
“She’s going to be flipping pissed when she wakes up with no hair,” Stevie whispered. “They shaved it off to fix her brain. I’ll tell her that, so she’ll understand, but I still think she’ll miss her hair.”
“It’ll grow back,” I said, hugging her gently.
Stevie glanced at Exile at the door, getting harassed by Sabrina, Moe, and Xandy. Next to Cher’s bed, Vanessa sat and sniffled.
“It’s only been a few days,” Stevie told me. “Barely any time at all has passed. Of course, things seem fucking dire right now. But everything will turn out okay.”
“I know,” I said despite my tears. “It’s just things aren’t okay yet.”
Though Stevie tried to put on a brave face, she was tired and needed to rest. I suspected she also missed her parents.
Walking to Sabrina, I asked, “Are you planning to stay here?”
“Yeah, until Hazard and Anise get back. Vanessa should probably leave, though. Her crying is bringing everyone down.”
“She’s sad,” I muttered at my sister.
“We’re all sad, Lula. But Stevie wants to believe Cher is just sleeping. How can we build up that illusion if Vanessa keeps crying?”
I glanced at my blonde sister holding Cher’s hand. “If I bring her home with me, can you get her ride where it needs to go?”
Once Sabrina nodded, I walked over and whispered to Vanessa. My sister didn’t want to leave. I suspected she worried Cher would die, making every minute together precious.
“Let’s go home and see Mom,” I told Vanessa when she didn’t budge from her spot.
Exhausted and depressed, Vanessa buckled under the promise of Bebe’s arms soon wrapped around her. We grew up with the knowledge that Pax would burn the world to the ground to protect us, and Bebe’s hugs could make the pain more bearable.
Exile kept close while I walked arm in arm with Vanessa out of the hospital. I considered having him drive us home to allow me to sit with Vanessa in the back seat.
Before I suggested the idea, a sharp panic stabbed my heart. I looked around the SUV and imagined more attackers. If they swarmed us while we were on the road, Exile wouldn’t know Little Memphis well enough to make a quick getaway.
Also, if he were driving, who would shoot at the attackers? Vanessa was exhausted and teary-eyed, meaning she wouldn’t be a great shot. As for me, I would never be able to hit a moving target.
Giving in to my fear, I took the wheel and had Exile keep an eye out for trouble. In the back seat, Vanessa stared at her hands.
“What if Cher’s different when she wakes up?” Vanessa asked. “Or she doesn’t remember us? Joker acted differently after his accident.”
“I can’t promise Cher will be the same when she wakes up. But she’ll still be our friend and a member of the Crimson Guard. We’ll love her and take care of her no matter what.”
Vanessa’s tired blue eyes watched me from the back seat as we sat at a light.
“How long is your boyfriend staying in town?”
I glanced at Exile, who didn’t react to her question. His gaze focused hard on the traffic around us. He was likely considering the possible dangers lurking.
“Exile needs to go home to check on his sister and nieces. Plus, I’m sure his club misses him.”
“How could they not?” Vanessa asked in a mocking tone. “Do men get all mushy like that?”
