Page 85 of Bear Hunt

As soon as he’s compliant, they rush him inside, an E.R doctor listening and nodding then pointing to a draped off stall at the far back.

My eyes dart all around trying to find Athena, who was with Kylie in the ambulance, but I can’t see her. When I turn around, I run smack into Spencer, Mac’s best friend and old EMT partner, who looks like he’s run a marathon with his heaving chest and sweat-dotted forehead.

“Is she okay?” Before I get an answer from him, Athena walks out of a closed off room with the shades drawn and I don’t need to ask to know the answer to my question.

Tears are free falling down her cheeks and her face is contorted in palpable pain. As soon as she sees me, her feet take off running and my arms reach out to catch her as she falls right into them.

“Sorry, man. We did everything we could but she was asystole en route. We tried chest compressions on the way here but she was declared a few minutes ago.” In my arms, Athena sobs at Spencer’s words even though she lived through the whole thing.

“Bear! Bear!” Athena’s body freezes when Paxton’s voice carries over from the cubicle and I squeeze her to reassure her.

“Thanks, man. ‘Preciate it.”

With his head hanging, Spencer nods and walks away.

“Hey.” I peel Athena from my body and look her in the eyes. “We gotta be strong for Pax, okay? He needs us because in about sixty seconds, we’re gonna destroy his entire world.”

My girl takes a deep, hiccupped breath as she wipes her face with the back of her hands. I don’t know where she gets her strength but the well is deep and her force of nature is inspiring.

“Come on, Baby Girl.” Our hands clasp as we take this job as one.

Athena’s phone rings in the back pocket of her jeans, making her jump. I don’t think she’s used to it yet.

“Hello?” If it weren’t for her tear-streaked face, you wouldn’t know she was just crying her little heart out. “No. I’ll call you right back, we need to talk to Paxton.” She pauses as she listens, her teeth gnawing on her bottom lip like she’s trying to stop herself from breaking down. “Okay, we will. Yeah, thanks.”

When she’s done, she looks back up at me and inhales deep.

“CPS is in the waiting room talking to Maribel. What is that?” Fuck, I don’t like that. At all.

“Child Protective Services. They take care of children when their parents can’t do it.” Athena smiles and my heart breaks a little more knowing I’m gonna have to destroy that optimism. “Let’s just say that no matter how hard they work, there are too many kids and not enough good families taking care of them.” And just as I suspected, Athena’s smile drops and she frowns, not liking my answer one bit.

“They’re calling his father.” My blood runs cold and my jaw stiffens like my joints after an entire day riding.

“Over my dead fucking body.” I don’t yell. I don’t growl. I whisper because my control is this close to snapping. If I see thatmotherfucker who dared lay a hand on his wife, in front of his son, I will fucking end him.

“Let’s take care of Paxton first, then we’ll deal with the rest, okay?” With a sharp nod, I pull her close and we enter the barely private area where Paxton is being treated.

“Are you family?” The doctor’s question reminds me that his father is an asshole and just when I’m about to say no, I hear Athena say yes.

Oh, Baby Girl, you’re getting bold and I’m fucking here for it.

“Paxton is fine, he was in hypotension, meaning his blood pressure was too low due to shock.” Her eyes dart to the other side of the curtain and we all understand she’s talking about Pax’s mom. “We gave him epinephrine and he’ll be better in no time. Make sure he drinks plenty of water and keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t have a reaction to the drug.” We both nod but we’re not looking at her, our eyes are trained on Pax as he lies there with the IV giving him back his strength. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” I say, making sure to look her in the eyes so she knows I appreciate her kind tone.

“Hey, Pax, how you feelin’, bud?” My hand on the top of his head, I watch as I Athena sits on the side of the bed and wraps her fingers around his palm.

“Did you see Mom? Is she okay?” His gaze darts from me to Athena and back again before settling on my girl when she clears her throat.

“Pax, I’m not sure how to say this but—”

“Then don’t say it. Don’t say it. Don’t.” Pax’s voice cracks on the last word as he struggles to sit up. I don’t stop him, even though I should since the IV is still jammed in his arm, but I do put my arms on his shoulders and squeeze.

“Hey, bud, that IV is gonna hurt coming out if you’re not careful, all right?”

“I don’t care. I wanna see my mom. I wanna see my mom, Bear.”

“Pax, she’s…”

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