Page 102 of Rebel
We sit with our thoughts, me watching Colton as he shifts about, his eyes opening and his hand clutching mine now and then, Taylor texting on her phone.
She talks about Oscar and how she’s fallen madly in love with the little boy, just as much as his father. She doesn’t elaborate on where his mom is, and I don’t ask.
Ronin checks in on us, and Taylor waves him off when he says he needs to step out to make some calls, telling us Atom is here.
My legs and back are aching from sitting so long, not to mention the ache between my thighs, though I will not complain about that.
A blush rises up my chest, and I can’t bring myself to look at Colt while thinking about how Rebel and I spent the morning.
A knock at the door startles me. There are two priests here again. Someone must have called to tell them Colt is coming out of sedation.
Being in the same room as them makes me angry, so I agree to give them some time.
I recognize the younger one, he’s been here a lot and explained he went through seminary with Colt. The other guy is new, older, and more weathered-looking. He watches Taylor as she gets up, gathering her stuff.
Something about the way he stares makes me think of all the terrible things you hear about bad priests.
His eyes find mine, and I recoil slightly. He smiles, offers his hand, and tells me he is sorry for what we’ve been through, and how it’s God’s work that Colt is finally waking. That in itself makes me want to leave the room, but I hesitate.
Father Mackie smiles as the new guy releases me and stands at the foot of the bed. All the talk of what the MC gets up to has my head sitting in the wrong place.
These priests, in their own way, care about my cousin. Colt will appreciate them being here, and who knows, maybe all that praying will be what helps bring him around.
Atom greets us with a chin lift, and Taylor goes off to take a call. I remember she is close friends with Dana when I hear her say her name.
I’m left with my thoughts and the occasional small talk from Atom for a while. Listening to him talk about Grimm, a TV show he loves, isn’t what I’d call riveting, but it’s better than listening to the drone of prayers coming from behind me.
Father Mackie comes out to talk to me, and Taylor wanders back. Behind him, I notice the other priest lowering his phone, as if he’d been holding it up to get a signal. Who does that shit anymore?
He sees me looking and offers me a smile before going back to whatever he was doing. A shiver snakes down my spine. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is creepy as hell. Having him near my cousin is setting off a weird prickling sensation.
It’s all forgotten when a nurse comes out of the room and says Colt is asking for me. I thank Father Mackie for coming but ignore the other guy as I go inside to see Colt looking over at me. His eyes are groggy, but he gives me a slow smile.
“Colt,” I hurry over and take his hand. “How are you feeling?”
He coughs and makes a face. The nurse said he is good to have sips of water, so I help him with that until he stops.
“Do you remember anything?”
He shakes his head. “Not really,” he croaks.
“That’s okay, you only need to focus on getting better, and I’ll be here. You’ll be sick of me by the time they let you out.”
“Never,” he murmurs. He does not know how good it is to hear him say that. “Are you okay?” he squeezes my hand.
It’s just like him to worry about me. It’s only a matter of time before he asks about Marisol and Patrick. I want to leave telling him that as long as possible, even if I have to lie to him.
Fuck the two priests watching on from the doorway. Sometimes little white lies are necessary, I won’t be asking for forgiveness for protecting Colt from that pain.
The strange sensation of being watched makes me turn. That priest is smiling at me again, there is nothing in it, his eyes are dead and it’s so forced I want to recoil.
I’m glad when they finally leave and Taylor comes back, Raven with her.
Rebel’s sister looks refreshed, and she has food. Her eyes go to Colt, and she lets out a long sigh of relief before offering him a smile. My cousin smiles back and thanks her for being with me.
I’ll never be able to thank her enough. While she chats to him and Taylor hovers with a watchful nurse’s eye, I glance about the roomand hallway. Everyone here with Colt is connected to the Blackhawk Disciples.
They’re here for Colt, and for me, and they’ve come without being asked. Well, the women, the two guys are doing a job, but they’ve been sent here by people who care about our safety.
