The Biker's Fate Chapter 280

Maisie

"DO WE HAVE time to stop at home so I can change and pack a bag first?" I asked. "We should probably get Sparky's bed and food."

"Yeah, I think we can do that," Hatch said.

"And do we have time for me to completely freak out?"

Hatch smiled, reaching over to take my hand. "Yeah, Sunshine. We got time for that too."

I held myself together while we drove into the parking garage and parked next to my Volvo, and I even held myself together as we rode up the elevator and walked down the hallway to my door. But the second we crossed the threshold, Hatch's arms wrapped around me and I fell against him, bursting into ugly tears and sobbing into his chest.

He slid his hands into my hair and held me close. "I got ya, baby."

Bending down, he lifted me and carried me into the family room, sitting in the big chair and settling me on his lap. We didn't speak; there was nothing really to say. I just cried and Hatch held me, stroking my hair while I mourned the loss of my best friend.

I'm not sure how long I sat there, but when I felt like I could function in polite society again, I sat up and wiped my face, leaning down to kiss Hatch. "God, I love you."

"Love you too, Sunshine," he said. "You okay?"

"Not really, but I need to help those kids. I reserve the right to get snotty on your chest later this evening, however."

He smiled. "Not a problem."

I climbed off his lap and, after washing my face, changed and packed a bag for me and Poppy while Hatch got Sparky's stuff together. We then headed down to the garage, opting to take my car instead of his.

"Ali's house is the other way, love," I said, as Hatch hit the freeway.

"Jaxon said we should head to the hospital. Grace is being checked out, so Ryan and Merrick are there for the moment. Ryan wants to get back to the house, but he's waiting for you," Hatch said.

"Does he know the kids are coming back to the compound?"

Hatch shook his head. "He and I are havin' a conversation before anything happens."

"Okay."

Hatch reached over and took my hand. "You good?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "But you know when shit's coming down and you have someone beside you that you know you can face anything with, and it gives you this strange sense of calm?"

Hatch's eyes got soft. "I do now."

"Me too," I whispered.

He squeezed my hand and we continued to the hospital.

We walked in to find that Grace had been taken to the pediatric wing for observation and my name had been put on the list of approved visitors, so I was granted immediate access to her. Hatch was only allowed as far as the waiting room which he wasn't happy about. I assured him he was close enough for me to get if I needed him, before leaving him to walk into the brightly painted area.

I saw Ryan immediately, pacing outside a closed doorway, Merrick sitting in a chair his head in his hands. Ryan caught my eye and rushed toward me, stopping a few inches in front of me and looking wholly uncertain as to how he was supposed to act. I was right there with him. After a few awkward moments ticked by, I opened my arms, which he readily walked into. "I'm so sorry, Maisie."

"I know, Ry." I rubbed his back. "Me too, love."

Ryan pulled away and I reached for Merrick who'd walked slowly over after his father, his face void of emotion which concerned me.

"Hey, Mer." I reached over and stroked his hair.

"Hey, Auntie."

"You need anything?"

He shook his head.

"Is it okay if I hug you?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Okay, thanks." I gave him a squeeze. "I really need it."

He wrapped his arm around my waist and held on. Ryan seemed to relax a little bit and I saw a tiny smile, albeit a sad one.

"Where's Grace?" I asked.

"Doc's in with her now," Ryan said, nodding toward the closed room.

We started back toward Grace's room just as the door opened and a female police officer walked out. "She's all set, Lundy."

Ryan gave her a chin lift and stepped inside. I hung back with Merrick, but Ryan waved me in, indicating Merrick should stay outside. "I'll be right out, buddy, okay? You just have a seat."

Merrick nodded and sat where he had been before while I walked into Grace's room.

I forced back tears at the sight of my sweet Gracie sitting on the oversized hospital bed, her eyes vacant, and her body shaking as medical staff poked and prodded her.

The doctor met Ryan and me at the door. "Grace has not sustained any physical trauma, however, her emotional trauma will manifest itself over the next days, weeks, months, years, as I'm sure you're aware. She's going to need some intensive counseling, but in the meantime, I can prescribe some sedatives to help her sleep over the next few days until you can get something set up. I'll be happy to recommend a few good psychiatrists, and should you need anything, please don't hesitate to call my office. She's a very brave girl."

Ryan nodded.

"Thank you, Doctor," I said.

"Maisie?" Grace whispered.

I rushed to her side and took her hands. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Mom… she…"

"I know, baby," I whispered.

"You saved me."

"What?"

"She had the gun aimed at me, but you said something to her… she turned the gun on herself… she didn't…"

"Okay, love, we don't need to talk about this right now. Do you want to take a shower?"

She nodded.

"I brought you a change of clothes," Ryan said.

"Get out," Grace hissed.

"Baby—"

"Get out!" she screamed. "Get out! Get out! Get out!"

I rushed to Ryan and pushed him out of the room, my heart breaking for him as tears streamed down his face. "I've got her, Ry. I will take care of her. Give me her clothes and I'll make sure she's okay. I will watch her like a hawk, I will love her and hold her and do my best to help her keep her sanity. I don't know when any of this will be okay, but we're going to figure it out, okay?"

He dragged his hands down his face and nodded. Merrick stood and wrapped his arms around his dad. I cupped Merrick's face. "Thanks for being so strong, buddy, but it's okay for you to cry as well and if you need a hug, you come find me or your dad, okay? Don't bottle this up and don't try to be strong if you don't feel it."

Merrick nodded and burrowed further into his dad.

"Clothes, Ryan," I prompted, and he handed me a duffel bag. I headed back into Grace's room and found her staring at the wall again. "Gracie?"

She turned toward me, but I didn't really get any kind of acknowledgement. "Do you want a nurse to help you shower?"

"No. Just you," she rasped.

The nurses nodded and filed out (after one of them provided shampoo, soap, and towels for Grace), and I made sure the door was closed.

I helped Grace undress and then we shuffled into the bathroom.

"Okay, sweetness, I'm going to give you some privacy. I'll be right outside and once you're done, I'm going to take you to Poppy."

Grace nodded and I left the bathroom. Peeking out of the room, I saw Merrick sitting alone and frowned. "Did your dad leave?"

"Yeah. He had to get back to the house."

"Okay. I don't think we're going to be much longer. Are you hungry? Hatch is in the waiting room. I can have him take you to the cafeteria."

"Um…"

"He's a really good guy, Mer."

"Okay, that would be great, Auntie. Thank you."

I found the call button for the nurse and pressed it, grateful someone came quickly. "What do you need?"

"There's a man waiting out in the waiting room and I'm wondering if someone could bring him back. Merrick should really get something to eat."

"I can do that for you," the nurse said. "What's his name?"

"Hatch. Long hair, tall, beard, biker. You can't miss him."