Devils Rebels (MC)

14 - Unspoken Promises

The hospital's lights brought me back to the day my brother died.

I paced back and forth across the room as I did then, awaiting any and all news about his condition. I remembered refusing coffee, food, everything. I couldn't let myself partake in anything while he had fought for his life in surgery.

The tears came full force now, I kept my eyes locked on the floor as I paced, forcing myself to keep my breathing even. I hated to be here. This place only reminded me of death and although Rip had promised to stay by my side most likely out of pity, I felt completely alone.

I had no family to turn to. No one can hold me and comfort me. No one told me that everything would be okay even if it wasn't going to be. All I had in life as far as family went was Erica, Jessica and most importantly Keith.

The door that led to the patient's room opened and I jerked my head up as a young man dressed in surgical scrubs with a white lab coat and a surgical mask around his neck came into the waiting room.

I stopped pacing and we both stared at each other for a moment, mesmerized by this process by now. His eyes were filled with emotion and I took that as the worst sign ever.

Rip stood, breaking mine and the doctor's moment asserting himself at my side, "What's the word Doc?" He said, his voice resonating in the silence. The doctor glanced at him for a moment before turning to me, waving his hand to a seat, his unspoken request for me to sit for the news to keep me from falling as I had done when I was delivered the news that my brother hadn't made it.

I squared my shoulders, looking at him with what I had hoped was ferocity and not broken shards of my heart spewing out of my eyes in the form of tears, "Just say it Randall. Did he make it or is he dead?"

Randall flinched, his face contorting to a pinched expression as if he was feeling pain, "Nyx... Keith will live, but he's in a medically induced coma. Surgery wasn't overall good. He flatlined on the operating table twice but pulled through in the end. Although as you know he isn't out of the woods just yet. We need to keep him in this coma for him to heal. I'm surprised he was alert when they brought him in. He was shot four times in the abdomen but luckily they only nicked the main artery."

I wrapped my arms around myself taking everything in, "So he can survive so long as he heals the way he should. Do we know how many perps were involved in the shooting or was it just one? Are you able to divulge that information to me? I have to make a statement with the other detective about possible enemies and I want to know as much as I can to help them get justice." My voice came out forced and strained as I tried to keep my temper in check.

Randall shook his head, "I'm not sure. Cynthia in the Emergency Department is the one that paged me to trauma but she only tells us what's suspected to be wrong with the patient via what the paramedics tell us. You know this... I'm sorry I can't offer more to you. Keith will be in the ICU for a while and as far as tonight goes we aren't going to let anyone see him. We need to monitor him for the night. I'm sorry Nyx. I'll make sure that every nurse and Doctor that is caring for him has your number so if anything happens or he is woken up they will call you. That's all I can do for now." His gaze was pleading for me to comply and not to make a scene as I had with my brother's death. I dug my nails into the leather of my jacket, clenching my jaw I simply nodded and turned to go sit down in a chair. I needed to sit.

Randall and Rip talked for a little bit about Keith's condition and possible issues that he was at risk for while I sat glaring at the ground letting the anger I felt flow off of me like lava flowing free from an erupting volcano.

As I sat there for another few minutes contemplating my next move Rip came to sit next to me, nodding to the doctor as he made a hasty exit back to his sanctuary behind the sandy brown doors of the patient's rooms.

"Doc said if he stays on track of healing and doesn't have elevated blood counts indicating infection then he should be good. Says it'll be a few months in the hospital if there are no complications and even longer when he's released. He will need an in-home caregiver to help him until he's fully healed and even then there are risks involved."

I didn't look at him, "Rip can I ask you an honest question?" I wrapped my fingers around themselves and pressed my hands to my lips focusing on a stain on a portion of the caret in front of me.

"Yeah sure. Ask me anything but I can't guarantee I'll be able to answer much."

I nodded, "I know. Jessica told me about MCs and their secrecy. My question pertains to my specific situation however, and I was wanting to know if you would be willing to help me find answers. I'll do anything you ask as a form of payment for helping me. No price is too high for me, so name it and it's done." I sat up straight in my chair and turned my smoldering gaze at him.

Rip looked into my eyes, his steel gaze gave nothing away as I sat there waiting. Storm clouds formed within his eyes, making me fight the shiver that tried to rush its way down my spine.

After what felt like an eternity Rip reached out and brushed his knuckles across my face, "Do you even know what you're getting yourself into Nyx? Do you fully understand the consequences of your actions for wanting help from us?"

The fire within my eyes never faulted, "Yes I do, now answer the question. Will you help me or not?"

For a moment Rip looked torn and conflicted but his steel stormy gaze took over and he nodded, "I'll hold a vote with my club but if we can help we will."

Without responding I stood and walked to the window that looked out over the city. I clenched my fists tightly at my sides, cursing any and everyone that had taken the ones I loved most from me.

My anger burned my to the core while my desire for revenge froze my heart.