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“Jenni’s really all right?”

“Yeah, but she’s still upset. Won’t leave Bubba’s side.”

“And the kids?”

“They were scared. And I wasn’t fucking here. I was doing a job in Vegas. Fuck Pops. When I got the call, I was so fucking scared. Then when I saw her here at the hospital, all I could feel was relief that she’s going to be okay. I owe Bubba everything. I can never pay him back for what he did.”

“What happen to Masters?”

“He’s being held without bail. There’s no fucking way he’s getting out. He may be up in your neck of the woods soon.”

“Well, let’s hope.”

“Yeah, lets.”

“I’m sorry, Tylan. I’m so fucking sorry. I want nothing more than for you to finally have your peace. I don’t want you suffering anymore, Son. You’ve had enough anguish to last a lifetime. So many times that I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m going to give you some solace. My heart goes out to you, my boy.”

“Thanks, Pops. I need to head back into the hospital. I don’t want to leave Jenni alone for too long.”

“All right. Be there for your family because, Tylan, they are your family. Don’t worry about the rest. Just be there for them. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

My head falls back onto the chair. The room’s dark, with only the glow of the machines that Bubba is still attached too. The silver lining to all this is the fact that Maggie pushed permanent custody through. When I saw her name flash across the screen of my phone, I almost didn’t answer it, but thank fuck I did. She pleaded with her manager to allow our fostering status to be permanent. All we have to do now is sign some papers and the kids will be ours, guaranteeing us that no one will be able to take them away. Douchebag Rob will never be able to have custody of them.

Every one of the guys has been here at some point, even Sin. We’ve been taking turns keeping vigil, being here for Bubba like we should. He’s a good fucking man. He lost his way there for a bit, but don’t we all at some point? I think he’s learned the hard lesson, and if God’s at all understanding, he’ll let my brother pull through so he can have the life he’s intended.

Jenni sleeps with her head on my lap on the couch inside Bubba’s room. Dyke is downstairs, getting some grub. Bianca has been taking the kids to school and making sure they’re fed. She loves playing grandma to them, and they seem to love it too. Roxy is even trying to say grandma in Spanish, but hasn’t quite gotten the pronunciation down.

My eyes scan over Bubba’s body, looking for any sign that he’s waking up. I’m not sure how much longer any of us can take it. The not knowing is frustrating. Closing my eyes, I give into the exhaustion. I feel my body start to relax when I hear a groan coming from the other side of the room. Gently lifting Jenni’s head from my lap, I make my way over to his bed. Bubba’s eyes flutter, finally breaking open, locking on mine. The whites of his eyes, have a slight pink tint to them, but his gray-blue eye coloring is clear. Panic flashes over his features as he tries to talk, but the tube is still down his throat. He moves to pull the hose, but I grab his hand first.

“You need to relax. You’ve been out, and you flipping your shit isn’t going to help a damn thing.”

“Tylan?” Jenni’s groggy voice comes from behind me.

“Get the doctor, baby. He’s awake.”

Bubba looks toward Jenni, and relief replaces the look of panic that was on his face not moments before.

“That’s right, brother. You fucking saved my woman. You got yourself shot in the process, but you fucking saved her and my kids. I’ll never be able to repay you. I’m forever indebted to you.”

I reach down and squeeze his hand before the doctors walk in.

It takes a few more days, but once they clear Bubba, they move him to his own room on a normal floor. Now more visitors can be in the room at once. Jenni is still hovering, fluffing his pillows, getting him water, and making sure he doesn’t want for anything.

“I’m good,” Bubba says when she asks if he needs anything.

I run my hand over my face and groan. “Baby, leave the man alone.”

She snaps her head and narrows her eyes at me. “I want him to be comfortable.”

“The only time he’ll be comfortable is when he’s outta this room and in between the legs of a woman. All the hurtin’ in the world can be cured by the feel of a tight pussy.”

“Hell yeah,” Bubba agrees, causing Jenni to roll her eyes.

“Knock, knock,” Savannah’s voice comes through the room. “Can we come in?” she asks Jenni. When Sin enters the room, his gaze falls on Bubba. Sin hasn’t been here since he woke up. Maybe it was easier to be here in support when Bubba was unconscious.

“Hey, man,” he says as he approaches Bubba’s bed. “It’s good to see you’re up. You had us worried for a bit.”