Angel

Chapter 77

Kota

"How are you holding up?" Mama asked me.

"I don't know. I keep trying to tell him, we will love him no matter what happens, but he's so angry," I blew out a frustrated breath. "I just don't know what to do, Mama."

She rubbed my shoulders, "Victor knows that you and Nate love him, baby. He's just dealing with the shock of his injuries and then Tori still being in a coma has to add to that stress. Give him time, Kota."

I leaned into her and sobbed, "I know...I know. I just feel so helpless, and what's worse is that the bastard is still out there."

"Then you finish this." I was shocked to hear my mama say something like that, but the look in her eyes was hard. "I'll be damned if that man takes anything else from this family. You boys need to pull yourselves together and find him before he has time to regroup."

"You sound like my wife," Emilio said as sat in the hallway chair next to us. "Fuck, I hate hospitals. Oh, sorry, ma'am." He blushed when she shot him a reprimanding look.

"You're forgiven, and I understand your dislike, especially under the current circumstances," she told him. "Is Mattie okay, do you need me to check on her?"

"No, ma'am..."

"Call me Erica, please. So what is the issue then?" she asked pointedly.

"I am sorry to ask, but could you assist Dr. Marin with Alberto? I've been told you have a rather commanding presence, and um, well, Mattie's grandfather is being less than cooperative," Emilio stumbled.

Mama let out a laugh, "I'll take that as code for he's being a pain in the ass." Emilio blushed and nodded. "I'll head down there in a moment."

"It's okay, Mama. Go and help. I'm going to spend some time with Tori and Silas while Nate's in with Victor," I told her. She gave me an understanding look and pulled me into a fierce hug.

"Don't give up, baby. You are all strong and this will work out," she whispered and kissed my cheek, then headed down the hall with Emilio.

Letting out a deep sigh, I headed toward the room where Tori lay unconscious. Silas refused to let them place him in a different room. It had us all worried as he sat there every day just watching her for any signs of improvement. 

But there weren't any.

I stepped into the dimly lit room and noticed Silas snoring softly as I approached Tori's bed. Luke gave me a nod as I took a seat next to her. "Any changes?" I whispered as her monitors kept a steady beat. At least she wasn't on a ventilator. Sean said that was a positive sign.

"No. I'm gonna grab some coffee. Want some?" he asked as he stood and stretched.

"Sure, but Luke, no sugar," I grinned. He just smirked and headed out.

I leaned closer to her, placing a kiss on her forehead as I played with her hair. "Hey baby, you need to open those beautiful eyes for us. We miss you so much. My Mama is here, baby and she'd like to meet the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. North and Luke's uncle is here too." I felt my tears starting again as I continued to talk to her. "I love you, Tori. Please don't leave us," I choked. An alarm started beeping rapidly.

"What's happening?" Silas boomed. My mouth gaped, I couldn't answer because I didn't have a damn clue. Doctors and nurses flooded into the room along with Sean who pushed me back and quickly pulled the curtain around her bed. "Sean! What is going on!" Silas demanded, trying to get out of bed.

I rushed over and pushed him back down. "Stop it. They need to focus on her, and if you hurt yourself, you'll pull them away from her," I snapped. His face looked broken and he just nodded blankly, then gripped my hand as we stood helplessly. When Luke and Gabe stepped into the room, their eyes met ours filled with fear. I didn't know what to say.

The alarm stopped.

The yelling stopped.

Our world stopped.

Author's Notes:  The end is near...