“He’s fine. Cuddled up with Jana and worried as hell about you.”
I hated the thought of Beau worrying over losing his only parent, but I felt fine. A little stiff and my side hurt like crazy but I was fine.
“Ah!” Okay so sitting up hurt a little more than I realized and I fell back against something soft but not quite soft enough. My eyes opened and the first thing I saw was a handsome worried face looking down at me with tired eyes the color of sapphires, relief shining brightly.
“I’m okay, Cross.”
He shook his head; chocolate hair tousled, no doubt from raking his hand through it too many times, brushed against his collar as he leaned forward to press his forehead against mine.
“Fuck, Moon. I thought I lost you.”
“Cross.” The emotion in my voice reflected what was written all over his face. Affection, maybe more. Possibly more. Hopefully more. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine, dammit. You have twenty-nine fucking stitches.” His big hand caressed my face and I could see the agony twisting his rugged features. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
I smacked at his hand until he pulled back with a frown. “I’m not, Cross. You were exactly where you needed to be.”
“No—”
“No! It’s time for me to talk. Did you take care of Roadkill? Because as much as it hurt getting shot and as frickin’ terrified as I was during those endlessly long minutes with Detective Haynes, it’s all worth it if this shit is over. So, did you?”
I nodded. “White Boy Craig and his crew were arrested and most of them are handcuffed to hospital beds somewhere in this fucking place.” I could see him struggling with how much to tell me and I smiled.
“Spit it out, Cross.”
His grin was sheepish, but he took my hand in his and pressed my palm against his cheek. I let my thumb graze the scruff on his jawline.
“Craig was injured bad, a bullet in each knee. Lu, the guy dating Pacheco’s daughter is gone.” He rattled off each injury or fatality and I could see the toll it all took on him.
“What about the Reckless Bastards?” Holding my breath, I waited for him to say a name that was familiar to me, which at this point was all of them.
“Max took a bullet in the shoulder, but it went straight through and he’s already bitching about the pain meds. Savior got shot dead on, but his vest kept him alive. He’ll be bruised, but he’s fine. I’m more worried about you.”
I frowned at his words. “How long have I been in here?” Which I finally realized was a tiny hospital room with just a single bed.
“About six hours. You hit your head pretty bad when you fell on the concrete. When I found you, Jessica was cradling your head in her lap crying her little heart out. She wouldn’t let anyone touch you—or her.”
“Jessica! Where is she? Is she all right?” My heart leapt at the image she’d presented, dirty and frail, terrified. “Can I see her?”
Cross smiled and leaned in to give me a kiss that reminded me I was a little banged up but still very much alive. “She’s been pacing outside for the past six hours. Won’t even talk to the Feds until she can see you.” He smirked and helped me sit up in bed. “You must’ve made quite an impression.”
It was more like I was the first friendly face she’d seen in almost a year. “She was so scared, Cross. The things she must have seen.” I couldn’t even imagine what had been done to her during the months she’d been a victim of Roadkill MC. I watched Cross take a few steps to the door and when he returned there was a parade of people behind him.
“Ms. Moon!” Jessica pushed around Cross and fell against the bed, lying her still dirty blond hair on my lap, sobbing when I began caressing her soft hair. “You saved me!”
“No honey, you saved yourself. Think of all the girls who didn’t make it and remember why you did.” She was just a kid. Fresh faced with a hint of naivete, I hoped she would be all right. “I’m so happy you’re okay, Jessica.”
“Call me Jessie.”
“And you can call me Moon.” I wrapped my arms around her frail body and held on tight while she sobbed and sobbed against me. “You’re okay now, sweet girl.”
She pulled back so I could see her face and I gasped at all the crusted blood all over her face, her hair and the much too sexy dress she wore. “It was so scary,” she whispered.
“Sorry to interrupt but we really need to speak with Jessica.” The voice belonged to a tall man with graying brown hair, beside him a petite woman wearing the same government issue suit and stoic expression.
“We need to speak with both of you,” another voice sounded but though I recognized the voice, I couldn’t see the sneering little face that belonged to it.
“What is he doing here?” Dodds was Haynes’ partner and I wanted nothing to do with either of them.