Page 151 of Reaper's Claim

“Dad’s out,” Kim pounced immediately. “He’s in room four. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Well, let’s go then.”

She linked her hand with mine, and I followed her back out.

Now I had two bikers to try and avoid. My night was really getting better by the moment.

***

Tubes ran down each of Dad’s arms; I had never seen him look so weak, so pale. He lay there, eyes shut, barely breathing. The only noise in the room was the continual beeping of the monitor to his left.

Kim and I sat on each side of him, both holding one of his hands. His touch was so cold, and all I wanted to do was warm him up.

The doctors had come in and given us a detailed, perhaps over-detailed debrief of Dad’s condition. The only words that really stood out to me were that he was still in bad shape and that they had done all they could.

“You think he can hear us?” Kim glanced across at me, teary-eyed.

I shrugged my shoulders.

I didn’t know.

If anything, I was still in shock. I had never seen Dad like this, and it terrified me.

“You girls want anything?” Reaper’s voice was soft and came from behind us.

Kim wiped her eyes and shook her head.

“No.” I turned to look at him and Brad, who were leaning against the wall. “You two don’t have to stay here, it’s late, and I don’t know about Kim, but I’m not planning on leaving him anytime soon.”

“We’re here for the night.” Reaper’s eyes locked with mine. “Though we do have to give the boys an update.”

I nodded my head and just when he was about to step out, there was a knock on the door.

It quietly opened and Trigger stepped in. His eyes searched the room till they landed on Kim.

“How’s he doing?”

Her face melted with relief, and I couldn’t help but smile gently at her. I knew what she was feeling right now, relief and safety, what I used to feel when my eyes landed on Reaper.

“He’s stable but still in a bad state,” Brad answered for us.

Trigger moved across the room till he was standing beside Kim, and he dropped down to his knees. “I just got back and heard, sorry it took me so long to get here.”

Kim cupped his face with her free hand and smiled. “It’s ok.”

He wiped away a tear that was running down her cheek, and while they shared a romantic moment, I glanced back at Reaper, only to find his eyes zoned in on me.

“I think I need another smoke.” I let go of Dad’s hand and stumbled up to my feet. “And some fresh air.”

Kim nodded her head. “Do you want me to come?”

“No, stay with Dad; I won’t be long.”

“I’ll come out with ya. It’s too late of a night to be by yourself out there.” Reaper stepped forward, giving me a look that I knew I couldn’t argue with.

Nodding my head, I scooped up my bag and walked out the door he was holding open for me.

Pausing, I looked back, locking my eyes with Brad.

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