Lynch's Rule (Ruthless Sinners MC 9)

“So, you didn’t have any trouble getting inside?”

“Hell, nah. Jagger, Shotgun, and I went around back, and Country and Rafe managed to crawl through a bedroom window.”

“Yeah, they were the ones who found Sophie.” Viper shook his head with disgust. “She was tied up on the floor, and they were able to get her out without Booker even knowing she was gone.”

“No shit?”

“Oh yeah, they were both three sheets to the wind when we stormed inside the house.” Hawk looked quite pleased as he snickered. "You should've seen the look on Booker’s face when we busted up in his living room. He had no fucking idea what was going on."

"Booker reached for his weapon, but it was too late. Jagger had already pulled the trigger, and Shotgun, too,” Viper added. “Hell, neither of these assholes stood a chance against us.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Some of the tension I’d been carrying started to fade as I asked, "So, Sophie's okay? He didn't fuck with her?"

"The whole thing scared the hell out of her,” Viper answered. “She's a little shaken and will be for a while, but in time, she should be fine.”

“And Tully?”

“Tully has been dealt with and Kordarius, too." Before I could question either of them further, Viper leaned over to me and said, "In fact, everything's been dealt with. Now, tell us what's going on with your girl."

"I wish I fucking knew." I leaned back in the chair and rested my head against the wall. "I'm sure Locke told you she was in a wreck. Got a pretty nasty bump on the head, so they did a CT to make sure she was okay."

"I take it she's not okay."

"No, no, she's not. She's got an aneurysm. A pretty big one." I couldn't even look at Viper as I continued, "The doc wants her to have surgery, but Rae is totally against it—says the risk of complications is too fucking high."

"And what happens if she doesn't have the surgery?"

"The damn thing could rupture, and she'd die."

"Damn, brother, that's tough."

"Yeah, the whole thing is fucked." I lowered my head and sighed. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do here. I think she should have the surgery, but I can't force her. It's her choice, but I can't stand the thought of losing her."

"Yeah, you're definitely in a tight spot."

"What the hell am I going to do?"

"The only thing you can do." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "Be there for her. Support her and pray things work out."

"And if they don't?"

"Then, they don't." Viper looked me dead in the eye and said, "I hate to break it to you, son, but there are no guarantees in this life—not for any of us. You just gotta make the best of what you have while you have it."

"You make it sound so simple."

"Oh, no, it's not simple or easy or anything of the sort. Loving someone is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. You’re trusting someone with your heart. Sometimes it works out in your favor. Sometimes it doesn't. Now, you just have to decide if you love her enough to see it through."

"Well, I'm sure as hell not walking away."

"I didn't think you would." Viper gave me a slight pat on the shoulder, then stood. "I think it's time for you to go sort things out with your girl."

"I think you might be right."

Hawk leaned down and gave me a brotherly hug. "You know we're here if you need anything.”

“I do, and I appreciate it, brother.”

“Keep us posted on things.”

“You know I will.”

As soon as they left, I got up and walked back to Raelyn’s room. I tapped on her door, and as I entered, Rae’s mother was sitting next to her bed while she read something on her phone. When she looked up and saw that it was me, she gasped, “Oh, I thought you were one of the nurses.”

“No, it’s just me.” I stepped further into the room. “I was hoping to have a word with Raelyn.”

She looked over to Rae for approval, and as soon as she nodded, her mother stood and said, “Of course. I was just about to head home anyway.”

“You and Dall will be back in the morning, right?” Rae asked, sounding hopeful.

“Yes, sweetheart.” Her mother leaned over and hugged her gently. “I’ll be here first thing. And if it’s okay, Josey and Jacoby want to come by, too.”

“Yes, that will be fine. I’d like to see them.”

“Great. I’ll let them know.”

Rae looked so vulnerable, so fragile, as she watched her mother gather her things and walk out of the room. I wanted to go to her, take her into my arms, and promise her everything would be okay, but before that could happen, there were things that needed to be said. She could barely look at me. “I thought you left.”