Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

How could this be possible?

“It will be okay, son,” Devil said.

“No, it’s not okay.” He put the phone away. “Please drive faster.”

“I am.”

He’d gone to get their apartment ready and to hand in her paperwork to the Piston County college. Everything had been coming together and now … what did he do? His wife, she was hurting.

Running a hand down his face, he tried to not think, but all he could see was Tabitha screaming for help. Begging him to come to her.

He’d failed her.

“Dad,” he said. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You’ll be there for her. That’s all you can do.”

“I…” He couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

Pain sliced through him.

Be there for her.

I should have been there for her.

The time passed and when they arrived at the hospital, all of The Skulls crew were there. They were waiting.

Daisy was curled up against Anthony, who looked at him.

There was pain in all of their faces. They were all feeling it.

One of their own had been hurt once again.

She’d been beaten, stabbed, and now … he couldn’t say it.

“Where is she?” he asked.

“She’s with Sandy. They’re talking to the cops,” Eva said.

“I need to go to her.” He moved toward the doors but Tiny grabbed his shoulder.

“You can’t go back there.”

He pulled away. “I can.”

“She needs her space, Simon. Not her boyfriend.”

“I’m not her boyfriend. She’s my wife!” He pulled the locket from around his neck and held up the ring. “She has been my wife since her eighteenth birthday. Ask Anthony, Daisy, even Miles. They were all there. I married her. She’s my wife and she needs me. I’ve got to go to her.”

He pulled out of Tiny’s arms and walked through the doors. He didn’t know where the fuck he was going, or where she would be. Knowing The Skulls, it would be in a private room.

Sandy was walking toward him. A police officer not too far behind.

“Simon?” she asked.

“Where is she?”

“I don’t think—” Sandy was about to say.

He shook his head. “I don’t need you to think. I need you to tell me where my wife is.”

“You mean Tabitha has had a—”

Simon glared at him. He wasn’t interested in hearing what this man had to say. “If you dare come between Tabby and me, I’ll rip your fucking throat out and shit down your neck. Do you understand?”

The officer looked ready to arrest him.

“It’s fine,” Sandy said. “I’ll take him.” She took a step back and Simon followed, not caring who he upset. His woman needed him.

Tabby needed him.

They stopped at a room. The curtains were drawn and it all appeared private.

“She’s in there. She’s not in a good place right now,” Sandy said.

He opened the door, closing it behind him.

Turning toward the bed, he saw her. She was fully dressed, her arms wrapped around her legs, and she looked up. There was a new bruise on her face and marks around her neck. He noticed she cringed.

“Simon,” she said. She pressed her face against her knees.

“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t be sad.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He went to her. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you and I’m not going to let you go. I’m here.” He wrapped his arms around her. She tensed up but slowly sank against him. “I’ve got you.”

She sobbed.

His heart broke and he didn’t let her go. His woman had been hurt.

“I … it’s all my fault.”

He cupped her face and shook his head. “No. This is not your fault. None of this is on you. It’s on whoever did this.”

Her face crumbled. “It was Ryan.”

“The Dog?”

“Yes. I was out in the field and I was only enjoying the sunshine. I felt at peace. We were going to tell my parents and yours, and now. Oh, God, do you even want to be married to me anymore?” She pulled away and covered her face.

Tears filled his eyes, and he didn’t wipe them away. “I want you, Tabby. Always. Nothing is ever going to change that.”

It was Ryan.

That piece of shit.

He slid off the bed.

Tabby looked up at him. “Simon?”

He cupped her face, staring into her eyes. “I love you more than anything.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

Simon pressed a kiss to her lips. “What I have to.”

“Simon!”

She’d flinched away from his kisses and he didn’t doubt what he needed to do. He turned on his heel and left the room. He took the back entrance, leaving the hospital undetected. There was only one person who would know where Ryan was, and he was going to make sure he found him.Chapter TwentyTabitha climbed out of the car as Devil came to a stop. Simon had escaped them all. Now she was with Devil, trying to find him before he did anything stupid.

She felt sick to her stomach.

Each time there was a silent lull, memories flooded her mind, and she had to keep moving. She couldn’t stop. Once she stopped, that was it, she was at their mercy. She didn’t have time to sit and think.