Starting Over (Book Two Of Sisters Of Mercy)

The Goddess Watches

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There wasn't an empty seat in the small waiting room of St. Thomas' ER as the Sons waited with Evie, Pru, Rocky, and Lucinda. Jessie had been taken straight to surgery and they now sat trying to piece together what happened. Jax looked at Rocky and shook his head as Happy sat beside her holding her hand.

"We need to know what you know. You just saying that you'll take care of it isn't going to cut it darlin. Jessie could die and she's part of our family now, just like you four."

Rocky looked at Pru and Lucinda, who nodded, before sighing. "Pru had the feeling that someone was following her. Her hotel room was broken into then her brakes went out on her car. We agreed to have her stay with Jessie until Lucinda and I could assess the threat. I got an email for a new job... " She paused and took a shaky breath before continuing. "The job was Pru, but it was contingent upon whether the current person was successful."

Happy heard Chibs curse and turned to look at the Scot. He'd been silent since they had left Jessie's, refusing to speak to anyone. Jax nodded as he stared at the wall. "Hap told us about your job but I don't understand why someone would be after Pru. Who hired the hit?"

Rocky sighed. "Henry Lin. Well, the Lin Triad. I'm assuming that Pru is stepping into his territory."

Jax swore under his breath as he shook his head. "Jesus Christ."

Pru sniffed and shook her head. "If I'd have known... "

Chibs stood up ubruptly and glared at the women. "Bullocks! Ye knew someone was gunnin' for ye and ye went to Jessie's anyway." He pointed at Pru and Rocky. "Ye both knew! If she dies... I need some air."

They all watched in shocked silence as he strode from the waiting room. Happy shook his head and leaned in to kiss Rocky before standing up. "I'll go talk to him. Come get us if someone comes out."

Tig stood when Happy did and followed him out to the parking lot, where they found Chibs smoking and pacing. Tig blew out a breath and looked at Happy before speaking. "It wasn't their fault, man."

Chibs shook his head as he turned a glare on his two brothers. Happy was shocked at the amount of anger and pain that you could clearly see in the other man's face. "Bullshit, Tig! They knew and they put her in harm's way!" He shook his head again as he stubbed out one cigarette before lighting another. "Aye, I know who's responsible, who pulled the bloody trigger, but they 'ad their part to play too."

Before they could respond, Lucinda was running through the door. "She's out of surgery!"

All three men ran for the door, finding everyone else gathered around a man in surgical scrubs. When they reached the rest, the man nodded.

"I'm Dr. Taylor. I've been testing Ms. Marsden since she arrived." He opened a file in his hands and continued. "She was shot twice, once in the side and once in the torso. The wound to her side was a through and through, but the bullet knicked her lung. Luckily, we were able to repair that. The shot to her torso went through her spleen and lodged in her spine. That obviously took the most time, but we did remove her spleen and were able to remove the bullet. I'm confident from the placement of the bullet that she should have no issues with mobility or paralysis, but we won't know for sure until she is awake."

Evie spoke from beside Opie. "How long will that take?"

The doctor shrugged. "It's hard to say. She's being moved to ICU now and will remain there until she's awake and we can further assess her condition." He smiled kindly. "Once she's in her room, you'll be able to see her, one or two at a time. Are there any questions?" When everyone shook their heads, he nodded. "Very good. Someone will be out soon to give you further information."

They all thanked him before Jax sighed and turned to Pru. "Once you've seen her, I'm sending you to the cabin with Tig. That's the safest place until we neutralize the threat." He looked around at everyone else. "The rest of us are going to work on solving this shit."

Evie nodded as Opie wrapped an arm around her. "I'll stay here with Jessie in case she wakes up. I don't want her to be alone."

Jax nodded as Happy and Opie kissed their women goodbye. He looked at Chibs with a raised brow. "You with us?"

Chibs shook his head. "Nah, I want to see her first but I'll be along."

Jax nodded as Happy patted Chibs on the shoulder before they all left, leaving Tig and Chibs with the women. As they sat back down, Rocky turned to Chibs. "I know you think we're responsible and you're right. I shouldn't have left Pru there."

Chibs shrugged. "Aye, but it's not for me to say. You'll 'ave to take that up with little one, yeah?"

Rocky nodded, smiling slightly. "She's just always been the one that we ran to when we were in trouble. If we knew we couldn't go to Agnes, we'd run to Jessie and she'd make everything okay."

Chibs nodded as he reached over and took her hand in his. "She is a little mother, but she 'as needs and feelings too."

Rocky nodded. "I know and we need to take that into consideration."

Chibs nodded before sighing. "Aye, but I 'ave a feeling it wouldn'a 'ave changed this. She needs to be wanted."

Rocky turned to look at the man beside her. Worry had made him look ten years older than he was. "You care for her."

Chibs shrugged. "I dinnae know if tha's true but I dinnae wan' her hurt."

Rocky nodded. "Well, if you want my opinion, I think you'd be good for each other. She needs someone to watch over her and you... well, we all need a safe haven, right?"