THE BRAVO BOYS - SNAKE EATER [book three]

Chapter FIFTY EIGHT

Logan Nash

The quiet droll of a monotone voice breaks through the groggy haze that makes it impossible to open my eyes.. Laying stone still, I listen intently, trying to figure out where the sound is coming from..

“And in other news, founder of Blackstar Industries and renowned Darkport Philanthropist, Wyatt Bennings, is believed to have fled the country pending charges of fraud, racketeering, illegal trade trafficking and treason, after thousands of documents were leaked anonymously online, sparking a federal investigation.. Interpol and the FBI are working closely in response to the 62 year old’s disappearance.. The mogul's son, Tyler Bennings, the current CEO of Blackstar industries, was also reported missing earlier this month and in a press conference earlier today the chief of police stated there was no evidence to support the theory that the two disappearances are linked.. So far there have been no leads as to his whereabouts.. Blackstar was undergoing a transfer of sale due to a sharp plummet in stock, the process of which has now been frozen until a full enquiry is complete, with some experts suggesting the possible dismemberment of the company and liquidation of all Blackstar assets.. It is unclear whether Tyler Bennings played a role in covering up his father's crimes, however both men are wanted for questioning..
A tip line has been opened for anybody who may have any information about the whereabouts of either of the two men.. That number is now on the bottom of the screen..”

Viciously fluorescent light filters in from the hallway and soaks the dimly lit hospital room, reflecting off the nearby monitors that trill and beep every so often.. My body feels full of lead as I lift a hand in confusion to find it tangled in medical tubes and wires.. "What in the hell?"

A tightness stilts my breath as I struggle to bring my vision into focus, glancing around to get my bearings when I spy a tiny sleeping figure curled up in the chair beneath the window..

"Dallas? Baby?" I rasp, confused to find my voice hoarse and my breath short.. My niece stirs, blinking at me in wonder before she scrambles to her feet..

"Logan, you're awake! Oh good lord!" Skittering across the floor she collapses at my bedside, linking her fingers through mine as she leans down to kiss the backs of my knuckles reverently.. "You sure had me worried!"

"What– what happened?" I wince, feeling frighteningly little sensation in my fingers and even less in my legs..

"You don't remember?"

I shake my head, searching in the fog for a final memory and coming up with only flicking pieces of the past.. "Last thing I remember is– those fucking Fed's picking up Shelby's dad and then–"

"You were shot, Lo-Lo.. Iris brought you here three days ago, she said the doctors at SPC are the best in the city.." Smiling at me, she adds.. "And they say whatever it was Shelby's dad gave you must've accelerated your healing, because they couldn't understand how you didn't die right there at the scene! You're a medical marvel!"

"Lucky me.." I scoff sarcastically..

"Lucky me.." She squeezes my hand so tightly that her knuckles turn white. "I don't know what I would have done without you, Uncle Lo.. You're everything to me..."

“You're my everything too, Tex..” Linking my fingers around hers best I can through the strange, numb sensation, I hold her hand in both of mine.. "I'm real sorry I put you through all this, Little Darlin'..”

Her mother’s same sweet eyes shimmer with tears.. "You're here now.. That's all that matters.."

"Where exactly is here?" I ask, peering around the luxurious medical suite, realising I am certainly not in a public hospital.. "And where is Shelby?"