Placing my head in my hands, I fought the urge to break down again. I needed to find the strength and courage to help her, to help Grace. Oh God, poor Grace. She’d lost so many people and been through so much. And she’d gotten so close to my parents over the past few weeks. My brain was going a mile a minute, so many thoughts. The burden started to feel like too much.
I closed my eyes and tried to shut out everything around me. I heard Dom talking to the doctors and detectives that had come in, trying to figure out what had happened. I focused on the steady timbre of his voice, and soon it had me in a trance. I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep until Dom shook me awake.
For a moment, I’d forgotten where I was. I looked around and saw Mom asleep in the hospital bed. Everything came crashing back.
“What did they say?” I asked softly, trying not to wake her.
Dom rubbed my shoulders. “The doctor said she was lucky to make it out alive. The car almost crushed her. She has a couple broken ribs, a concussion, a dislocated shoulder, and the laceration on the side of her face required sixteen stitches. But she should recover fully.” He sighed and kissed my head. “They have no idea what caused the wreck.”
I nodded and kept watching my mom. Something bugged me about the whole thing. It just felt off. Maybe it was just my grief. I shoved it down and focused on Mom. She was going to need me and I had to stay strong.
Dom
I walked back into the hospital room later that day after making some calls.
“I hate hospitals.” I said quietly to myself.
Seeing that Jules was asleep in the chair by her mom, I stopped at her mother’s bed. She looked up and I grabbed her hand. “Cara, I’m going to find out what happened. I promise.” I glanced at Jules. “I need to leave for a little while. Someone has to tell Grace.” Her face fell and her lip quivered. “I figured she’d handle it better coming from someone she was more comfortable with. The brothers are keeping her busy, but she’s getting suspicious.” She just nodded. I brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back soon.”
I snuck over and kissed Jules softly before I walked out the door.
I called Ezra on the way downstairs, giving him a heads up that I was coming. He told me he’d already broke the news to her, because she knew something was wrong and was getting angry. He, Axel, Grace, Leah, Faith, and Viper are all on their way up to the hospital with Locke.
I sighed. If I couldn’t tell her, the only other people she really trusted besides Jules’ parents were Jules and Ezra, so I was glad he’d been the one to tell her and had been there for her. “Thanks for having my back, brother.”
“Dude, no problem. That’s what family is for. You have enough on your plate. Besides, Grace is important to me. You know that.”
“I do. Be careful on your way in,” I warned him, not needing to explain my statement.
“We will. Oh, and Tech is already trying to find any information about what the fuck happened.” I heard voices in the background and a car door close. “We’ll see you in fifteen, brother.” He hung up.
Since I was already downstairs and needed the air, I waited outside for them. When they pulled up, we all headed in. I had them wait in the hall while I made sure Jules and her mom were ready for company.
“Baby,” I kissed Jules’ temple. “Wake up, honey. The girls are here.”
She opened her eyes and I could tell when it registered where she was at. “Grace?” she whispered.
I looked toward the door and her eyes followed mine as the girls walked in. They crowded around Cara and Jules, lending them their strength. I watched Jules as she stood and embraced Grace. Clinging to Jules and to Cara’s hand, Grace’s face crumbled, releasing pent up tears of grief, mourning with her new mother and sister.
After a few minutes, I touched Jules’ back. “Baby,” I said, not really wanting to interrupt their moment. “Baby?” Finally getting her attention, I ran my fingers down her face and wrapped my hand around her chin. “I’m going to step out and let you be with your girls for a while, okay? There will be a couple guys at the door in case you need anything.” She nodded and I walked out, motioning the guys to follow me to the waiting room.
I leaned back on the couch in the waiting area, waiting for the rest of my brothers to get seated. I rubbed my aching temples.
Locke looked at me. “What do we know?”
“Let me get everyone on first.” I dialed Tech, putting the call on video.
He answered quickly. “What’s up, brother?” Tech said, getting settled in his chair.
I cleared my throat. “Thanks to a couple of cops that were in with Sal, this is what we got. Sal and Cara were headed to dinner. They only had a small detail with them, one man in the car ahead. Every Thursday night, they went to the same restaurant. It’s been their standing date night for the past five years. Anyway, they’d just left the restaurant, heading home, when witnesses say a dark, blacked out SUV drove through a red light and plowed right into them. Most of the impact on the driver’s side.” I tried to give as much detail as I could.
Viper tilted his head. “Sounds pretty cut and dry. At least it would to most people. Are the cops looking into this?” His tone had a hint of sarcasm in it. “With the Outlaw President dead, a lot of people will be trying to get a piece. I mean, that’s a big, powerful family.”
I nodded. “Yes,
