Page 39 of Road to Absolution

Staring at me, Diesel’s jaw ticked.

Yep. Fucking guilty.

Tucker looked between us. “Mav, my man. What are you doing? Do I need to get the doctor?”

The machine tracking my heart rate picked up speed. “There will be a need for a doctor, but it won’t be for me.”

Just then, a huge red-bearded man walked in. He shut the door, then silently took a standing position next to his President. Not aggressive, but with his hands connected in front of him, the message was clear.

Tuck was flabbergasted. “Scorch, what the fuck are you doing?”

Scorch didn’t say a word. Just stared at me.

My ego soared. “I just woke from a fucking coma, but still a threat? I think I like that.”

“A threat?” asked Tuck, so clueless to what he was about to learn. “Has everyone lost their fucking minds?” He tried, “Light, talk to your man—”

Her eyes were down as she asked me, “Can I hold your hand?”

Ah, fuck me running—lying in bed. Jesus. She already knows.

Inhale… Exhale…

This woman carrying my child had almost let herself completely go because she loved me so much. That’s why I saved my temper for others and gently asked, “Is that why you never wanted to talk about him?”

Tuck asked, “Him? Who’s him?”

Sad golden eyes lifted in a rush. “No. I had no idea. I swear. Not until you were brought here.”

My hand opened for her.

Lilah snatched it up and held it to her chest, kissing it and breathing me in.

“Woman, look at me.”

She did, her tears slipping from her face to my hand.

“You and I are solid.”

Her head falling back and her mouth opening, showing how dehydrated she was, had me saying, “Can you lie with me?”

We all watched as she quickly got into my bed. An expert at manipulating the wires and tubes without getting tangled, she not once touched my legs. Yet, she maneuvered her belly and was snuggling to me in seconds.

A long, miserable groan burned from my throat and chest as I realized this poor woman had been doing this while I laid in this bed, unable to wake for her.

Her nervous hand clutched at my hospital gown as she whispered, “Crazy love.”

I was suddenly trapped in the truck again. Smoke filling my lungs and that song playing in my head—

I jerked. Back in the bed. What is happening to me?

On the brink of losing my fucking mind, I held my wife and growled to the rest, “Everyone get out.”

Fortunately, not one dumbass questioned me. As they headed out the door, Tucker asked, “Why does it sound like they think Kenny is still alive?”

No words were spoken, but the silence said it all.

From the hallway, with an expression of disbelief, Tuck stared at his sister.