Chapter 82: Chapter 13

EVA

“Caden’s awake!”

I spring to my feet, seizing Eddie’s hand, and we dash toward the car. I holler at Niko to grab Ronald and haul their butts into the vehicle. I fling open the back passenger door, practically tossing Eddie in before I scramble in myself, urging the guys to hit the gas.

In no time, we’re speeding toward the hospital, my heart pounding like a drum. Please, God, let the other boys be okay. I can’t bear the thought of losing any of them.

I hastily dial Jace, instructing the guards to sweep the immediate vicinity for any suspicious characters, ensuring it’s safe for them to emerge and head to the hospital. Jace acknowledges with a curt “okay,” barking orders even before he ends the call. The drive feels like an eternity, but in reality, it’s only twenty minutes.

It just seems like we’re moving at a snail’s pace. As we pull up, we spot our men scattered around, their vehicles in plain sight. Needless to say, they’re drawing attention, most of them still decked out in their tactical gear.

Just as Niko attempts to park, I leap out, Eddie in tow, and sprint past the check-in desk. A nurse spots me and swiftly ushers us into Caden’s room. I rush in, flinging the door open to find him sitting there, relaxed.

His eyes widen at the sight of me, and he starts to cry. I can’t hold back my own tears as I rush over, wrapping my arms around him. I feel him bury his face in my neck, his grip on me tightening.

We sit like that for a few moments until I hear him stir and speak. “Who’s that kid, Eva? How long have I been out?”

“That’s Eddie Martinez, and you’ve only been out for a few hours, babe!”

“What the hell happened while I was out?”

“Well, quite a bit, actually! After everyone was hit, our guards went out on patrol and nabbed two guys involved in the plot against us!”

“What the fuck, Eva!”

“Just hear me out, okay! We found out who was behind it all when one of them spilled the beans after I shot his buddy in the head. Turns out it was Victoria Ortiz. We had no idea she’d survived and changed her name.

“Anyway, back to the story, we discovered her hideout. I rallied the guys, and we stormed the place. Ronald and some guards went in all stealth-like and nabbed Victoria.

“They even brought her out to me, all tied up. So, we took her out for good this time, along with every guy that was there. Except for Eddie.

“He’s only fifteen and her son. I couldn’t do it, Caden. We couldn’t save Ricardo, but we can save Eddie.”

Caden looks at me, then at Eddie, beckoning him to come over and sit on the bed. Eddie is visibly nervous and hesitant but slowly makes his way over to sit.

“Eddie, as you’ve probably figured out by now, I’m Caden Maxwell. You obviously know who we are and what we do. For now, stay with us, finish high school.

“If you decide you’d rather work at the offices, that’s fine. We can keep you out of this lifestyle, or if you want to be a part of it, we can do that too. But you’ll need to stay under our watch until we’re sure you’re not a threat.”

“I understand, Mr. Maxwell.”

“We know who your mom is, but where’s your dad?” Caden asks.

“He left when I was a kid. Once he found out who my mom was involved with, he bailed and signed away his rights.”

I catch Caden’s glance out of the corner of my eye, and I can’t help but wonder why he even bothers asking anymore. Every time he goes out, he comes back with more kids. It’s only fair that I start adding to our brood.

We continue discussing plans when the door bursts open, and Jace comes barreling in. Oh, crap. That means Jocelyn and Mandy are here too.

I quickly rise, giving Jace a hug, then dash to the next room, catching Jocelyn and Mandy just in time. We enter slowly, and Tony stands up, leaving the room.

Jocelyn and Mandy both climb into the beds to lie next to their boys, and I just stand there, watching. Ronald comes up behind me, tapping my shoulder, asking if they’ll be okay? I just shrug because I honestly don’t know.

Only time will tell. He’s about to ask another question when I hear Jocelyn gasp, sitting up on the bed, looking at Jessie. A smile slowly spreads across her face as Jessie wraps his arms around her.

He turns his head, looking around, and his gaze lands on Nate. He just stares. I see him turn back to Jocelyn, burying his face in her hair as he starts to cry.

I walk over, hugging them both, reassuring him that it’s okay. Nate will pull through. He has to. We’re the Maxwells, and we don’t back down from anyone or anything.

I hear a throat clearing, and it’s the doctor, signaling for me to step outside. I nod, kissing Jessie’s forehead, and follow the doctor out. Once we’re outside, the door closing behind us, I wait for him to speak.

He glances back at Nate, taking a deep breath. “Mrs. Maxwell. Jessie’s awake, which is great. But we’re concerned about Nate. He hit his head pretty hard, and although his skull isn’t fractured, there’s a minor brain bleed and some slight swelling.

“We’re keeping a close eye on him. We’re not in the danger zone yet where we need to intervene, but the injury is still fresh. He’s scheduled for another scan this evening.

“At that point, we’ll see how things are progressing and decide on the next steps. For now, we’ve put him in a medically induced coma to give his body time to heal.”

I just nod, returning to Caden’s room to relay the information. We sit for hours, waiting to see what will happen next with Nate. Mandy walks in, announcing they’ve taken him for the scan.

She comes over, settling into my lap in a chair, snuggling against me. We wait for what feels like hours more when the doctor comes in with the films.

He walks over, flipping on the light, and sticks the first film against the light, pointing out the bleed and swelling. I just stare, touching the film, thinking about our baby fighting for his life while all we can do is watch and pray he pulls through.

Every memory from his birth to Caden, to adoption, school to Mandy. Even now to his babies being here. It all comes rushing back.

He removes the first film and puts up the second one. There’s nothing where the bleed and swelling were before. I look at the doctor as he smiles.

“There’s some residual bleeding and a little swelling, but for the most part, it’s resolved itself. I want to redo the scan in another four hours. If he’s clear then, we’ll be able to reverse the meds and let him wake up on his own.

“How long that will take will depend on him.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I pull Mandy into my arms. She’s a mess, sobbing uncontrollably.

We all sink into the nearest seats, giving everyone a moment to regain their composure.

That’s when Tony bursts through the door, arms laden with food and coffee.

We’re going to need it. It’s shaping up to be a long, long night.