Chapter Sixteen

AXYL

The journey to my girl’s hospital room felt like the longest walk I’d ever taken. I hadn’t been this scared even when I caught my ex-wife laying hands on my boys. That was pure, unadulterated rage.

It seemed like we were walking for hours, but it couldn’t have been more than a minute. I had no idea what condition she’d be in. I didn’t know how I’d react to seeing her lying in that hospital bed.

I didn’t know how my boys would react to seeing the woman they’d come to call their mama in that bed.

Damn it! The only woman I’ve ever truly loved is lying in a bed when she shouldn’t be. I should’ve stayed with her, made sure she and the boys were safe.

She ensured our sons were safe and look where it got her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m damn glad she got them to safety. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my sons.

Apart from Ali and the twins, they are my life.

Doc opens the door, and we all follow him into her room. “Mama!” Danny yelled. I tried to stop him, but he’s a quick little guy.

He was on her bed before anyone could react. “Mama. Wake up, please. I miss you.” He whispered, his hands on her cheeks and I swear, my heart shattered.

I almost broke down in tears like a baby.

“Come on buddy. Mama needs to rest.” I tried to say, but he wouldn’t budge. He didn’t even glance at me. His eyes were locked on hers, as if he could wake her up with just a look.

I’ve never been good at showing any emotion other than anger, but that sight broke my heart even more. She looked so pale but so peaceful. Like she was just sleeping.

Which, I guess she was. Murdock ran over to the bed and climbed onto the other side of her. “Are they going to hurt her being up there?” I asked Doc. I didn’t want them to hurt her.

I knew it would devastate them if they did. They love her more than I do and that’s saying a lot since I love her more than life itself.

“No. They’re fine. Besides, it’s not like anyone could get them away from her. They’re just like you. Stubborn and hard-headed.” He said. I couldn’t agree more.

“When will she wake up?” I asked.

“She’s still under the anesthesia, so probably in a few hours when it wears off. She’s going to be in a lot of pain and there’s not much we can give her for it with her being pregnant. She’s going to need them and you.

“She’s going to need everyone to help her. If there is one person in this damn world that’s more stubborn than you, it would be that woman laying on that bed.” He said.

“That’s why we’re so damn good together. Probably toxic, but damn if we don’t work well.” I stated. I heard a snort behind me. “Got something to say?”

“Just agreeing with you son. All of us in this room know exactly how that woman is. She’s going through a hell of a lot, but she’s still here.” My dad said. I agreed and walked over to my woman.

I took her hand in mine and sat in a chair that someone had brought over to the side of the bed.

“Be careful with mama boys. Don’t hurt her. You can lay with her but watch out for the cords and stuff.” I told the boys. They nodded and cuddled up to her sides. If she weren’t in a hospital bed, I’d be capturing this moment with a picture.

“Hey, baby girl. I’m so damn sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. Wake up for me, love. I can’t do this without you. Our babies are fine, and so are our boys. They need you. I need you. We all need you, my love.”

Damn. She’s making me soft, but I’ll never admit that where she’s concerned, I’ve always been soft. I looked over at Murdock and Danny to see them just staring at Aliana with nothing but love and adoration.

“Damn, man. My sister has you whipped,” Westyn commented.

“Shut up, jerk. Just wait until you meet a woman that means everything to you at just a glance. One look is all it takes. You’ll be more whipped than whipped cream,” I snapped at him.

“If it ever happens. You’re the only one of us young guys that have found that special woman,” he shot back.

“Is that the best you can come back with?” I laughed. He mumbled something under his breath before he made himself comfortable along with everyone else in the room. Doc grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

“Uncle Doc. Can we watch Paw Patrol?” Danny asked. I chuckled because I knew that no one in this room wanted to watch a kid’s show, but that didn’t stop him from putting the show on.

We sat there and watched the show while we waited for Aliana to wake up.

About thirty minutes into the show, the boys had both fallen asleep curled into her sides. I pulled the blankets over all three of them because I knew Aliana would have my ass if I let her boys be cold.

“Doc, it’s been three damn hours. Why the hell isn’t my daughter waking up?” Robert demanded more than asked.

“It’s up to her when she wakes up. She should be coming off the anesthetics anytime now. You just have to give her time. She has a concussion. You’ve had plenty of them.

“You should know what it’s like to stay awake when you have one,” Doc informed him just as we heard a groan coming from Aliana’s direction.

We all whip our heads in her direction, and Doc hurries over to her, checking her over. What she says next, I didn’t see coming. It shatters me.

“Who are you?” she asks, and I swear my heart just fucking stops.

ALIANA

Pain is everywhere. Darkness is everywhere. My arms won’t move. It’s like they’re pinned down. I can feel someone on either side of me. What the fuck happened? Where am I? Why can’t I open my eyes?

I manage to pry them open a bit, but it takes all my strength and it hurts like hell. I groan, frustrated that I can’t open my damn eyes without my head screaming in protest.

I try again and manage to open them enough to see someone hovering over me. He looks like a doctor.

“Who are you?” I ask him. Who are all these people in my room? What the fuck went down?

“Aliana, baby. You don’t remember what happened?” I shake my head no at the man who’s talking to me.

“Mama! You’re awake.” One of the boys at my side exclaims. I wince in pain, and that small twinge brings everything rushing back like a flood after a dam bursts.

“Well, I guess I don’t need to ask what happened anymore, and I don’t need to ask who any of you are,” I retort.

“Oh God! Baby girl. I’m so sorry,” Axyl says to me.

“Babe. It’s okay. The boys are safe. That’s all that matters. Wait. What about the girls? Are they okay? Did you kill that motherfucker?” I fire questions at him one after the other.

“Calm down, baby. The girls are fine, and yeah, I killed him and probably started a fucking war,” he tells me. I mutter a ‘fuck’. I couldn’t agree more. This is just the beginning. If I know Alex’s club, they’re going to unleash hell on us.

“If his father doesn’t, his brother will. If that happens, we’re all fucked. His brother is worse than Alex and their father combined. He’s the most sadistic son of a bitch I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting.

I have no doubt that a war is coming our way. I just hope that no one on our side gets hurt in the crossfire.