The EMTs have started to surround Ramona. Medley runs toward me and I open my arms to hug her tight.
Frankie strolls to Atticus, her face grim. “The bullet entered her belly. They’re trying to stabilize her to get her to the hospital as quickly as possible.”
“She’s pregnant,” I blurt, knowing it’s a detail the medics need to know but I’m sure they’ve already mentioned it.
Frankie grimaces. “The location of the bullet doesn’t predict anything good. Let’s keep our fingers crossed she still has a choice to keep the baby before it’s taken out of her hands.”
I feel Medley’s body softly start to shake against me. Ramona is inside the ambulance when Hudsyn jumps in and they slam the door shut. A few seconds later the flashing lights surround us as it speeds off to get her to the hospital as soon as possible.
“I want my old lady out of the cold,” I state and guide Medley toward the clubhouse.
The members of their MC are staring out the windows when we walk into the main room. They all turn their heads and before they can ramble, I turn my attention to Medley.
“Do you want to go to the hospital with a few of the others or stay here till you hear from Hudsyn?”
She blinks up at me and I can tell she’s still processing the shit that just happened. I take her face in my hands and gently caress her cheek. Medley closes her eyes and leans into my touch, taking a moment for herself. Stormy eyes collide with mine as determination slides across her face.
Her lips move. “Thank you.”
“Always,” I murmur and give her a quick kiss before stepping away so she can address the others.
“I need a few of you to stay here and a handful of the rest are coming with me to the hospital.” Medley stalks toward the women and her hands start to point in different directions.
I’m missing the words since her back is to me but her posture shows the fierce woman I faced the first time I came to this ranch. Medley turns and stalks toward me. Frankie appears from my left and I tune in to read her lips.
“We have a car waiting outside to take you to the hospital. Everything here is handled if you all want to go but Atticus just called to check and they will rush Ramona into surgery so it will be a few hours until we will have another update. Last he heard they have good hopes she’s going to pull through but we won’t know for sure until she’s out of surgery.”
Medley bobs her head. “Thanks. You’re staying here?”
“Yes, I’m overseeing a few things for Atticus. You can reach out at any time for whatever you need and I’ll handle it for you,” Frankie replies.
From what I’ve been told she used to be a special agent when she became Atticus’ old lady and is now a part of their team in fighting crime for the government. It’s also clear in the way she handles herself and takes action; both as an agent and as the president’s old lady.
When I glance around at the faces filling the main room of the clubhouse it’s clear the sisterhood and deep bond shows in the support and strength as a whole. Each and everyone’s face is edged with the same concern while there’s determination in their posture.
These are not wilting flowers turning into a blubbering mess; they are fierce and capable of handling the rougher part of life. Of course, these women haven’t had it easy with their fathers being murdered and taking justice into their own hands with the help of Atticus’ MC. Exactly what happened tonight when someone breached the safe haven they created.
Hopefully things will settle down from here on out. Fuck knows they all deserve it. And hopefully Ramona pulls through. She too deserves to crawl out of the dark place that fucker pushed her into.
A hand placed on my forearm brings me out of my thoughts. My gaze lands on the woman who has touched my heart to alter it into a place that contains a load of feelings I now recognize adoration tipping the scale toward love. I know it’s too soon and not the right time to give her the words I just admitted to myself and it’s why I let her do the talking and study her mouth.
“Cassia is packing a bag we can take with us. Ramona is going to need a few things when she comes out of surgery and has to stay for a few days.”
“Smart thinking,” I compliment and reach out to lace her fingers with mine to give her a gentle squeeze.
My sister comes rushing back into the main room with a bag in hand. “Ready.”
We head for the awaiting car that takes a few of us to the hospital where we meet with Hudsyn who is pacing in a waiting room. There’s no update and we have to wait for hours until finally there’s a doctor stalking toward us to give the relieving news Ramona has pulled through surgery.
Sadly, she lost the baby due to the injury she sustained. Ramona doesn’t know yet since she’s still fading in and out of the anesthesia. There are only two people allowed to see her and both Hudsyn and Medley are going to stay by her side.
Remi is sitting right next to me along with Cassia and the rest of the women who have all gathered in the waiting room. Atticus called Hudsyn with an update to let us know Henrick was safely locked up this time. Another thing we don’t have to worry about.
Life hasn’t been easy for either one of these women but when I glance around the waiting room it’s clear they have created a foundation each member can fall back on to cushion the fall life causes. It allows them to take a moment to catch their breath before they get back on that horse and continue their ride into the sunset; whatever life might hit them with in the future.
I’m thankful to be a part of it. I never thought I’d find myself in the same town I left when I was younger but I now realize it was inevitable. Surrounded by my sister, a new family, and the woman I love at my side it’s time to start a new chapter in my life.
One where I hope to start a family of our own one day and to see what else lies in store for us.