Ride Or Die (Hell's Tribe MC Series) [Book 5]

Chapter 9: Sassy

Happy New Years' Eve friends! Here's hoping for a better 2021 for everyone, we sure as hell need it. 

~Carter~

I couldn't help the dramatic screech that had left my throat the moment I saw my brother and father come through those clubhouse doors. Sure, I had been relieved to see Knox too, but knowing that the two most important men in my life were okay after thinking they were dead for the last day earned some theatrics.

"Thank fuck!" I yelled, pulling them both into a tight hug.

My dad winced, cursing under his breath as I held him closer to me. "Easy, kid."

"Fuck, she's strong," Cash joined in.

I fought a laugh, not realizing that a single tear had slipped out of the corner of my eye. I sucked it back, loosening my grip on both my father and brother. "Sorry," I said, wiping away the tear before anyone could see it. "I'm just so happy to see you both."

"I love you too, Carter," I heard Knox pipe in from behind us.

Everyone around let out a laugh, finally able to breathe after knowing that our three most important men were okay.

I released both my dad and Cash from my grip, turning to Knox to give him some attention too. "Sorry, Knox. You're welcome to join the group hug," I teased.

Knox chuckled, waving me off, but he even looked pained doing it. I had just noticed the cuts and bruises covering the expanse of all three men, and the severity of their wounds. So far as I could see, Cash had gotten the worst of it, but my dad and Knox didn't look okay by any means.

"Daddy have boo-boo?" Harlow asked, pointing to Knox's split upper lip.

Knox nodded, gently pulling his daughter's hand away from the area. "Yeah, Jellybean. Daddy got a boo-boo," he replied softly.

That was quite an understatement. They all had some serious boo-boos.

I couldn't help but think, my mom would lose her shit if she saw this. Thank god we kept her in the dark. Dad would have to explain his wounds once he went back to Florida, but by then, mom wouldn't even have time to worry.

"Where's mommy?" Knox asked, Harlow. He craned his neck around, looking toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. He winced as he did so, probably irritating one of the many injuries he was suffering from.

Like my mom, Ronnie would be freaking the fuck out if she was here right now. But she had her own health to worry about, and that was more important. Nora hadn't told me exactly what the issue was before they left for the hospital, but I was pretty sure it had something to do with the baby, and I didn't wanna spoil the surprise by telling Knox in front of everyone, but someone had to do it.

No one answered at first, everyone seeming to be nervous to reveal where his wife was. Knox wasn't some psychopath, but he was very protective of Ronnie, especially since what had happened with Rigs all those years ago. I'd heard it from Ronnie herself that Knox still felt guilty for what had happened to her after he left her behind that night, and ever since, Knox got very nervous to leave her.

Knox looked to Bear for an explanation, and then to Ricky. Neither one of those cowards said anything, and it was then that Knox caught my gaze.

"She wasn't feeling well," I said, giving Knox a knowing look. I hoped he understood what I was trying to say without revealing it to the whole clubhouse, cos I knew Ronnie wasn't ready to announce her pregnancy just yet.

"Is she okay?" Knox asked, instantly getting to his feet. He placed both Harlow and Harper down on the ground, his tone shifting from loving and playful, to concerned and extremely serious.