Page 81 of The Secret's Out

Simone got close and whispered, “Have I told you lately that you’re so goddamn lucky?” I tried for a smile over my shoulder, but it deflated. Simone took my hand in hers and squeezed it as we descended the stairs.

Outside, Eli helped, first Simone, with her helmet and then me. Just as we were getting our gloves on as well, Caden appeared wearing similar clothes to Eli. Without a word, he straddled his bike, placed on his helmet and gestured with his head for me to climb on the back.

“Looks like I get to have my arms around you, handsome,” Simone said to Eli.

I couldn’t help myself from saying, “Just this once.”

Eli chuckled, ran his hand down my arm and went to his bike. I watched him climb on and then Simone slipped on behind him before I got on Caden’s bike. As soon as my arms were wrapped around him, Caden kicked his Harley to life and we roared off into the early hours of the morning.

The ride, what would usually take an hour and a half only took us an hour. I was grateful there were no police on the roads with the speed Caden and Eli had been doing. I presumed we would be heading to a family member’s house, or even the compound. However, when we pulled up out the front of the local hospital, my heart dipped to my stomach.

Simone and Eli were already at our side before I even unstuck myself and found enough courage to slip off the bike. Eli came right up to me and helped me remove the helmet and gloves. I stood still and stared up at the entrance of the hospital.

“Why here?” Simone uttered the question that was on my mind.

Before anyone answered, my eyes brimmed with tears when I spotted a familiar face striding toward us. “No,” was whispered past my dry lips.

Zara, my sister with her baby bump belly, came out the front doors and then ran to us. Her eyes red, her face blotchy from crying hard. “Josie,” she sniffed before flinging herself at me. Her arms circled my waist, but shock weighed down my reaction to embrace her back. Instead, I stared over her shoulder to see her husband Talon walking our way.

Zara pulled back, her hands going to my face. My eyes sought out her face as her eyes filled with tears.

“No,” I uttered.

She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “It’s Dad. H-he...” She took a deep breath just as Talon stopped behind his wife. He leaned around her to kiss my cheek briefly and then stood tall, his arms winding around Zara’s middle.

“I-I, what?” was all I could manage.

Zara, unable to speak as she started sobbing, wrapped me into her arms again. Talon’s hands went to her sides, at her waist. He met my watery gaze and said, “Richard had a heart attack, Josie. They’re not sure he’ll live through the night.”

Richard.

Dad.

Heart attack.

Dying.

No!

No, no, no. Not him. Not Dad, not the man who took me in, who showed me I was worth loving. No, please.

My lips went between my teeth to try and stop the onslaught of emotions. I bit down on them, finally wrapping my arms around my sister.

He has to live. He has to. The man, my dad was too good to die.

“Josie,” was called from behind Talon.

Lifting my head from Zara’s shoulder and wiping my eyes, I saw Mattie, my brother, standing just outside the doorway, looking defeated.

“Honey, he wants to see you.”

No. I couldn’t. It was too much. I couldn’t see him. Oh, God. It will wreck me. I’ll be lost once again.

Not my dad. Please.

“Come on,” Zara whispered. “You can do this.”

But I couldn’t.

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