Page 89 of Lick

I turn towards him. “Not for nothing, but I need to see with my own fucking eyes.”

Leaving the lobby, I make my way down the hall. “Excuse me. Excuse me,” a voice calls from behind. “You can’t go back there.”

When I turn around, I spot an older nurse with graying hair regards me with caution–as she should. “My wife is back there, and no one is going to fucking stop me from seeing her. And don’t waste your time calling security. I’ll break every single one of them in half if it means I get to see my wife.”

Her lips purse in a tight line, but her eyes tell me that she understands. Not wanting to waste any more time, I keep going. I hear her voice coming from one of the rooms. The door is open, so I walk in. Bubba is stretched out in a hospital gown, eyes closed, a tube down his throat. Wires poke out from the top of his gown, needles in both arms. The constant beeping of his heart monitor. He’s pale, has a gray tinge to him.

Jenni sits with her back to me. She has her hand in his, and I notice the other arm is in a sling. Dyke’s standing at the other side of him. When his eyes meet mine, it makes Jenni turn around. As soon as her eyes lands on mine a sob breaks from her throat. She pushes herself from the chair, she pads over to me before throwing her one arm around my waist. I want so badly to lift her to me. To take her out of here and pack our shit and move her somewhere where no harm will ever come to her again. Placing a kiss on the top of her head, I inhale her scent.

“I was so scared. I thought I could distract him so Savannah could get the kids away, but he had a gun, and he pointed it at me. But then Bubba came out of nowhere, and he saved me.” I can feel her tears soak through my shirt as I rub her back.

The entire way home I’d replayed our wedding day over and over again in my head. How fucking beautiful she’d looked when she walked down that aisle to me.

“I Jenni Hoyt, promise to love you through sickness and in health, through the good times and bad. I promise to cherish you, to belong only to you from this day on. I give myself to you because it is you my heart has chosen because you make me complete. I marry you willingly, wholeheartedly, and eternally.”

“I’m so sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have left.”

Tears roll down her face, “No. Don’t do that. Don’t you dare blame yourself. No.”

I pull her back into my body. Standing there in silence, I watch as Dyke whispers into his son’s ear. He rests his head against his son’s, he speaks silent prayers. I’m not entirely sure exactly what happened at the park today, but I do know one thing.

Bubba saved Jenni’s life.

We give Dyke the time he needs with his son.

“Come on, baby.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders, guiding her back to the waiting room. As we enter, I spot Roxy on Bianca’s lap next to Grace. Ryder’s on the floor with his knees pulled up, head down.

“Jenni!” Roxy screams as she slides from Bianca’s lap, running full force towards us.

“Whoa there, baby girl.” I snatch her up before she can make contact with Jenni’s hurt shoulder. “Let’s be gentle, okay?” With a simple nod, I put her back on her feet. Reluctantly, with her head down, she takes a step to Jenni, who’s now squatting.

“Come here, sweetheart.” She opens her one arm, and Roxy gradually moves closer to her until her head is on Jenni’s shoulder. Once Jenni wraps her arm about Roxy’s tiny body, she throws her arms around her neck, letting out a teeny sob.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ryder approach. Hands in his back pockets, his eyes fall to his sister and Jenni, then back to mine. I can see the fear relief floating in his eyes.

“I–I thought I’d never see you again.” Roxy’s voice is muffled in the fabric of Jenni’s shirt. I take a step closer, running my hand down Roxy’s silky hair.

“Shh, honey, it’s okay. I’m okay, baby. I’m right here,” she coos, rubbing soft circles along her back.

“Please, please don’t ever leave me. Please, Jenni. You’re the only mommy I got now. Please, please don’t leave me.”

“I–” Jenni’s words get stuck in her throat. Looking up with pleading eyes and tears running down her cheeks, I bend down, scooping Roxy up into my arms.

“Come here, baby girl.” Her arms instantly wrap tightly around my neck. “Ain’t nothing gonna happen, okay? Jenni’s fine. She’s not going anywhere. She’s here, with us, to stay.” With her head buried, she nods, sniffling into my neck.

“Baby.” Already to her feet, Jenni continues to try to soothe Roxy’s nerves. My gaze floats around the room. Everyone who matters is here. My brothers, their women, even The Fallen have settled in chairs in the corner.

“Jenni?” Ryder’s voice breaks my thoughts. He looks so young and broken. He strides over to her, wrapping his arms around her body. Cries break from his chest as his body shakes. “I love you,” he tells her. “I love you so much.”

“Oh, baby.” Her voice is full of emotion. He presses her lips into the side of his head. “I love you too. I love you both so much.” When I feel Ryder’s arm come around my waist, my chest tightens. Without thought, I take both he and Jenni into my arms.

A sob breaks out from across the room as Savannah cries into Sin’s shoulder. We had a close call today. Bubba still isn’t out of the woods, but Jenni’s here, safe, where she’s supposed to be.

“Mr. McCoy?”

Maggie is standing in the entry way of the waiting room. I move my body to reveal Jenni and relief washes over Maggie’s face.

“Oh thank heavens,” she says as she places her hand over her chest.