Page 145 of Until Joy

“Who's here now?”

“Your brothers have been camped out in the waiting room since you went into surgery. I think they're going to stage a revolt if I don't let them see you soon.”

“How long have I been out?”

“About twelve hours. The anesthesia hit you harder than expected, probably because your system was still processing whatever drugs Glenda gave you.”

The reminder of being drugged made my stomach clench, but I pushed the feeling away. That was over now.

“Let them in.”

Graham stood and walked to the door, opening it just wide enough to stick his head out.

“She's awake. You can come in.”

Randy barreled through the door first, his face lighting up when he saw me sitting up in bed. Seth was right behind him, moving more cautiously but with the same relieved expression.

“JoJo!” Randy crossed the room in three long strides and would have thrown himself at me if Seth hadn't caught his arm.

“Careful, you moron. She just had surgery.”

Randy slowed down but still bent to wrap me in the gentlest bear hug he could manage.

“We thought we lost you, JoJo,” he whispered against my hair. “When we found that cabin and you weren't there…”

“But I'm here now.” I squeezed him back with my good arm. “I'm okay.”

Seth waited until Randy stepped back before leaning down to kiss my forehead.

“How are you feeling, little sister?”

“Like I got shot in the shoulder and had surgery.” I managed a weak smile. “But better now that I can see you guys are okay.”

“Can we sneak in a few more people while the nurses aren't looking?” Randy glanced toward the hallway. “There might be some folks out there who've been going crazy waiting to see you.”

“How many people are out there?”

“Well,” Seth scratched his beard. “Kayan threatened to fight the entire nursing staff if they didn't let her in. July's been pacing holes in the waiting room floor. Z and Wes are taking shifts in the cafeteria so they don't overwhelm the medical staff with their biker presence.”

“Let them in.” I shifted higher against my pillows, ignoring the pull in my shoulder. “All of them.”

Randy disappeared into the hallway. I could hear hushed voices and what sounded like a small argument before the door opened again.

Kayan burst through first, her dark eyes scanning me from head to toe like she was cataloging every visible injury. July followed close behind, her veterinarian training probably making her assess my condition more clinically. Z and Wes brought up the rear, both of them looking uncharacteristically subdued.

“You look like hell,” Kayan announced, settling into the chair Graham had vacated.

“Thanks. You really know how to make a girl feel better.”

“I'm serious. You're pale as a sheet, you've got circles under your eyes that look like bruises, and that hospital gown is doing nothing for your complexion.”

July smacked Kayan's arm.

“What? I'm being honest. She looks terrible, but she's alive, so I'm counting it as a win.”

“She looks like someone who's been through hell and back,” July said pointedly. “Which is exactly what happened.”

Z positioned himself near the foot of my bed, his usual easy smile replaced by something more serious.