Taste of Wolves

Chapter 47

She finally closed her eyes and drifted off into a restless sleep. He kept her hand in his as he turned the TV on and sat by her bedside. Mid-morning and she had some visitors. Jax and Chibs arrived. Quinn greeted both men who greeted him back before looking over Aria sadly. Chibs hated that she had been kidnapped after he'd promised her aunt to look after her. He felt he was partly responsible for what happened to her and it ate at him that she'd gotten injured.

"How's your 'ol lady, man?" Jax asked.

"Pretty messed up. Fractured ribs, deep muscle bruising, the knife wound actually nicked her bowel and fluid flooded her blood so now she has a serious infection they're fighting. On top of all the facial bruising and swelling." Quinn told the pair.

"Poor lass. Didn't deserve any o' this shit." Chibs sighed.

"Happy finished with them. They weren't going to let her live, man. They were going to give her back after we'd agreed to let them sell drugs but she wasn't going to be alive when they did." Jax told the giant of a man making him growl, "Don't worry, Happy's had a fun night and morning making them pay. They won't bother us or her again."

"Do ya need anything, brotha?" Chibs questioned him.

"No, I'm good. She'll need a ride home when she's released in a few days. She'll be in no condition to ride on the back of bike for a while." Quinn told them.

"I'm sure Gemma will be more than happy to take her home." Jax told him, "How are you holding up?"

"She's...having a difficult time with things. It hurts me that I can't really do anything for her, ya know?" Quinn shrugged.

Gemma arrived and kissed her son's cheek.

"How's she doing?" Gemma immediately asked.

"She's having a difficult time dealing with what happened." Quinn told her.

"That's understandable. It was a traumatic event for her, sweetheart. Just keep reminding her that you're there for her and that's she's safe. She'll get back to herself in no time." Gemma told him.

"I've been trying to do that but she..." He sighed.

"It's ok, baby. This is going to take time for her to heal up from. Physically and psychologically." Gemma stated.

"Yeah, I guess." He sighed again.

"Take all the time you need to be with your 'ol lady. Nothing else is going on with the club right now." Jax told him.

"Thanks, brother." Quinn nodded at the blond biker leader.

"If either o' ya needs anythin', don' hesitate t' call." Chibs told the long-haired blond.

"Thanks, Chibs." He smiled at the Scotsman.

"Let us know how she's doing." Jax stated making Quinn promise he would before the pair left them alone to head back to the clubhouse.

"She's a strong woman, Quinn. Especially if she willingly chose to be apart of our lifestyle." Gemma told him.

"I know, really. But seeing her like this just tears me up." He sighed, "I couldn't protect her. In our own home!"

"I don't think you could have prevented this unless you were living in the clubhouse, baby. Let yourself off the hook." Gemma gave him a small smile.

He sighed knowing logically she was right. There was still a part of his brain that told him this was all his fault. That she'd gotten hurt, she was beaten, sliced up, and stabbed, all because of him. That thought hurt almost as much as when he thought she was already dead. The nurse came in to check on her vitals again making Aria groan at the blood pressure cuff on her arm. It made Quinn chuckle slightly as he stared at her face.