Page 103 of Lockout

“I’ll be here,” Static said. “That way if you need me to represent you, I can.”

Idaho and Hush followed me into the hospital, not caring about my orders or the threat of jail time. I started barking at the lady sitting at the front desk as soon as we walked in.

Her jaw dropped open as soon as she saw us and she picked up the phone and spoke into it. Her urgency was appreciated because before I knew it they were wheeling Keely back into surgery.

I followed along as far as I could, but then I had to let her hand go and give her over to the people working on her. I leaned against the wall of the hospital, just staring at the double doors they’d taken her through.

“Lock.”

Glancing over, I met my brother’s gaze. “Yeah?”

“Why don’t you sit,” he pointed over toward a waiting area.

Shaking my head, I sucked in a deep breath. “They’re going to need shit up front. Information.”

“Hush is taking care of it,” he told me, leading me over to one of the chairs. “Just sit for a minute.”

There were only a few people in this smaller waiting room, but they were all staring at me in horror. Fair enough because I was sure I looked like I stepped straight out of a slasher movie. My shirt was plastered to my chest and abs. It was all Keely’s blood. Well, maybe a little of mine, since Hangman had gotten a couple swipes in. But mostly it was Keely’s. It may as well all be mine. If I lost her, there wouldn’t be anything left of me.

Slumping in the chair in that little waiting room, I did the only thing I could do. I waited on my girl.

Time wasn’t passingin any recognizable pattern. Hush had shown up. We’d sat there for who knew how long. Then the cops came. I managed to spew out some story about walking down the sidewalk, across town from where the shootout was, and some asshole hanging out the window and shooting at us.

The officers nodded, wrote everything down, and didn’t bother to tell me not to leave. They could tell by the look on my face I wasn’t going anywhere.

As soon as they left to investigate my story, Hush was on the phone with Rip. Between him and the hacker twins, they’d fabricate some kind of evidence that would send the police on a wild goose chase for some shooter who didn’t exist. They’d never find the man who was responsible because Rip assured me that Hell, Butcher, and Ricochet were dumping their bodies down that handy mineshaft we’d found a while back.

Raking my hands through my hair, I hung my head, not knowing what to fucking do with myself. I always had a plan. Always had something I could do to help. Not this time. It was all up to the doctors at this point. Everything was out of my hands. No plan, no control. Helpless.

“Shit,” Hush muttered.

I raised my head and followed his and Idaho’s gazes. Fuck. The women were rushing toward us, but as soon as they caught sight of me they all stumbled to a stop.

Dani, who looked like she was holding on by a thread already, broke down as she saw the blood covering me. Billie’s face went as white as fucking snow and Toxic had to reach and grab her before she fell.

I searched the group and realized that none of the kids were here. That was good. “Gabby?” I asked as everyone just stood there staring at me in horror.

“She’s okay,” Seek said. “Terrified and worried, but she’s okay.”

“Priest and Jenny are with her. Jenny said she’s sorry she couldn’t come-” Kit broke off, her eyes dropping down to my hands.

“No, those girls will need them,” I said, swallowing because it sounded like I’d been gargling with fucking gravel.

“K- Keely?” Dani finally managed to choke out. Tears were running down her face. “Priest told us-” She took a shuddering breath. “Is she?”

Smoke was holding her up at this point, wrapped up in his arms. He looked over her head at me, worry stamped all over his face.

They were all wearing the same expression. I probably was too.

“The doctors are operating on her,” Idaho said, speaking for me because it was like speaking the words would jinx shit.

I didn’t believe in superstition, but at this point I wasn’t willing to risk a damn thing. A nurse hurried by, her quick movements jerking my attention to her. No one said a thing as I walked over and grabbed her by the arm, hauling her to a stop.

She squeaked out a breath and stared at me with wide eyes.

“You guys are working on my wife,” I told her, scowling down at her. “If she needs blood or anything, I’m O-Neg. You can open up a fucking vein and take it all.”

She gave me a nervous look as she pried my hand off her bicep. “Okay…” she said, hesitating.

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