My heart raced as we hit traffic, but Hatch was an expert driver and maneuvered us through the gridlock and to the hospital entrance.
"Why are you going to ergency?" I asked. "I’m fine. I want to see Maverick."
"He’s here, baby girl," Mom said.
I felt sick. "Ohmigod, how bad is he?"
"I don’t know. Dad’s inside."
"Don’t move," Hatch ordered and climbed out of the truck. He walked into the building, returning with a wheelchair. Pulling open my door, he lifted out of the cab and cautiously settled into the chair. "You good?"
I nodded. "Thanks, Hatch."
"I’m gonna park the truck, and then I’ll find you when I’m done."
"Thanks, honey," Mom said and kissed his cheek.
A volunteer wheeled into the ergency waiting area, and we found Dad and several other Dogs pacing the room.
"Where’s Carter?" Cassidy asked.
Dad closed the distance between us and pulled Mom close. "Ace is fine, Cass. He’s got a minor bullet wound—"
"Minor bullet wound?" Cassidy squeaked. "He was shot?"
"In the upper arm, a graze. Just needs a few stitches. He’ll be out in a few."
"What about Tillie?"
"She’s getting checked out, but she’s good, Cass." He squeezed her arm. "Safe. She’s with Ace."
"Where’s Maverick?" I asked. Dad hunkered down in front of , and I imdiately burst into tears. "Is he dead?"
"No, baby girl, but he’s in surgery."
"What happened?" I whispered.
"Brick ca for Tillie. Maverick stabbed him when he tried to take her, but Brick had a gun, and when he aid for Tillie, Maverick jumped in front of her."
I nodded, sobbing so hard I couldn’t catch my breath.
Mom leaned down and cupped my chin. "Lily, you need to breathe. You’re going to hyperventilate. Charley needs you to breathe."
"He’s gonna be fine, baby girl," Dad promised. "You hear ?"
I nodded, but I was distraught... and in pain. "I need you to take to him."
Mom didn’t respond as she pulled out her cell phone. "Hey, Mace. Who’s on that you can pull strings with? Yeah, she’s cramping, and Mav’s in surgery, so she’s stressed. Okay. Thanks, honey. Bye." Mom squeezed my shoulder. "Dallas’s brother’s here. Macey’s calling him now."
"I need to know what’s going on with Maverick."
"I’ll go ask," Mom offered.
I nodded. "I’m going to be sick."
Dad lifted and carried to the bathroom. Mom changed tack and followed , and I barely made it to the toilet. A nurse arrived a few minutes later and whisked into an exam room.
In the middle of demanding information about Maverick, a doctor walked in, and I imdiately knew who he was. He looked a lot like Macey’s husband, Dallas.
"Hey, Alec," Mom said.
"Hey, Payton." He hugged my mom and then turned to . "Hey, Lily. I’m Dr. Stone." He shook my hand. "Macey called and said you’re cramping a little?"
I nodded.
"A lot," Mom corrected.
"What’s going on with Maverick?" I asked. "Mom, I need you to find out how he is."
"I checked on him before I ca down," Dr. Stone said. "He’s still in surgery, but it’s going well. Now, let’s make sure you and the baby are okay. Maverick’s going to want to wake up and find his girls safe and healthy. Sound good?"
I nodded, and he did a full exam.
"Good news is you’re not in labor," he said once he was done. "But your blood pressure is slightly elevated, probably due to stress, so we’ll keep you here for a bit, give you so fluids, and if you’re still in pain, I can give you a mild narcotic."
"I don’t want drugs."
"That’ll be the last resort," he promised.
"Can you please check on Maverick again?"
"Sure thing." Dr. Stone squeezed my shoulder. "I’ll let you know as soon as I have any news."
"Thanks, Alec," Mom said.
The doctor left, and a nurse ca in and set up with an IV. Dad arrived a few minutes later followed by Cassidy and Tillie. Tillie rushed to and hugged gently. "Are you okay?"
"I’m good, Till." I stroked her cheek. "Are you okay?"
"It’s all my fault," she whispered almost too low to hear her.
"No, it’s not, honey."
"If I had done what I should have, Mav wouldn’t have been shot." She burst into tears and licked her lips. "Neither would Daddy."
"Your dad’s totally fine, Till." I gave her a gentle hug. "And I know Maverick’s going to be fine."
"Okay, honey. We need to get you back to Daddy," Cassidy said. She kissed my cheek. "As soon as I know anything, we’ll let you know."
"Thanks, Cass."
Cassidy and Tillie left the room, and Dad dragged a chair to the side of my bed and sat down. "How are you feeling, baby girl?"
"I’m okay, Daddy. I just want to see Maverick."
He dragged his hands down his face. "I know."
As I watched the clock on the wall tick forward, I started to feel better about an hour into the IV treatnt. But I still had no word on Maverick, so my panic started again. Dr. Stone ca back at about four a.m. and checked my vitals.
"Maverick’s out of surgery, but he’ll be in recovery for a while."
"Take to him."
"Lil—" Mom started.
"No!" I snapped. "Goddammit, soone had better take to my husband, or I’m gonna start breaking things."
I removed the IV and swung my legs off the bed.
"Fuck , Lily," Dad bellowed. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Hold on, Lily," Dr. Stone said. "That wasn’t a good idea."
"I’m a nurse, doc; I know how to remove an IV." I kept pressure where the needle had been in my arm, knowing the bleeding would stop any minute. "Now, soone take to my husband!"
"Let get you a wheelchair," Dr. Stone said.
"You have two minutes," I said. "Or I’m walking."
A wheelchair appeared in less than two minutes, and the doctor was finally leading my parents and to the recovery area. We arrived at Maverick’s room, and the doctor faced . "He’s suffered so pretty significant injuries, so he’s intubated until he can breathe on his own."
I nodded. "I’m ready."
He pushed open the door, and Dad pushed inside. I lost it. My Möosh looked dead. I’d worked in the ER departnt long enough to know what to expect, but upon seeing the love of my life hooked up to wires and intubated, I couldn’t deal. My breathing grew shallow and my nausea started again.
"I need you to pull yourself together," Dr. Stone said. "My priority is you and your baby, Lily, so if you can’t handle this, I’m putting you on bed rest."
"I’m okay," I rushed to say.
I was pretty sure the doctor knew I was lying, but he let off the hook... for the mont. I pushed myself out of the wheelchair and leaned over Maverick, stroking his cheek. "I’m here, Möosh."
Dad pulled a chair by the bed. "Sit down, baby girl."
I lowered myself into the chair and slid my hand into Maverick’s, lifting his hand to my lips and kissing his palm. "I need you to breathe, baby. We need to get that tube out of your throat."
"I’m gonna find Cass," Dad said and left Mom and with Maverick.
Our bedside vigil went on for several hours. I hadn’t slept, I hadn’t eaten, and I was exhausted, but I couldn’t relax until I knew Maverick would be okay.
Dad brought us sothing to eat around five a.m. I didn’t let go of Maverick’s hand even to eat, so I muddled my way through a burger and fries one-handed. I needed to stay connected. The only ti I left his side was to use the facilities.
"Lily, would you let us get you a bed?" Mom asked, her voice concerned. "You need to sleep."
"No, I’m good."
Mom sighed but didn’t press. I kissed Maverick’s hand again settling my cheek on the edge of the mattress. It was an awkward position, but until I could climb on the bed and sleep next to him, it would have to do.
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