Stepping out of Bella’s hospital room, I lean against the door and blow out a frustrated breath. She’s refusing to let me help her do anything that involves me seeing her wounds. Part of me understands why she’s being this way, but the other part of me just wants to take care of my woman. Dr. Evans has assured us the scars will fade significantly over time, but right now they are red and swollen. She explained to Bella she could have plastic surgery in the future, but in her professional opinion the surgeon who stitched her up did an excellent job, so any more surgery’s is highly unlikely. Dr. Evans also has scheduled for a counselor to come speak with Bella later this afternoon.

“You okay, brother?” Gabriel asks from beside me. He’s been keeping guard of Bella’s hospital room since he and Alba showed up yesterday.

Looking down at him sitting in a chair nursing a cup of coffee, I respond while running my hand down my face, “Fuck man, I don’t know.”

“Bella’s a strong woman, Logan. She’ll get through this shit.” Gabriel assures.

“Yea, brother, you’re right,” I tell him pushing off the door. “I’m going to check on the kid, be back in a few.”

I talked with Sofia for the first time yesterday. She told me she was the one who called letting me know about Bella. Poor kid took a beaten’ for trying to help my woman. Because of that the club is in her debt.

Coming up to her room I see Dr. Evans walking out. “Hey, doc, how’s she doin’?”

Smiling she answers, “Sofia is doing much better today.”

“Have you been able to locate any of her family?” I ask.

Shaking her head sadly, “No, Sofia said her parents are dead and she doesn’t have any family. I’m afraid I’ll have to call child protective services.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I argue. “She’ll be coming home with Bella. She and I will take care of the kid.”

“Legally, I have to inform child protective services in a situation like this.” Dr. Evans informs me.

I go to interrupt her but she cuts me off by holding up her hand. “Unofficially, Sofia has no family, but officially if I had a name of, let’s say a cousin, someone I can put on paperwork. Preferably someone of Latin descent, being that Sofia is from Mexico.”

To say I was shocked at the doc’s suggestion was an understatement. I fully expected for this situation to go in the other direction. I really don’t give two fucks about the system, but the doctor helping us out saves the club from having to handle shit. She has no doubt noticed a certain broody Cuban outside Bella’s door lately, and in a roundabout way just told me how to solve our problem regarding Sofia.

“Can I ask why you’re doing this?”

Sighing Dr. Evans darts her eyes around making sure we’re not overheard. “Sofia has been through hell, the kind of hell nobody should ever have to go through, let alone a seventeen-year-old girl. The system will no doubt fail her. If I can, in some way, help avoid that then I will, even if it goes against the rules of this hospital. I have a feeling about you and Bella. I see the way those men are—the ones that have been coming to visit. My gut tells me she will be well taken care of.”

“She will be,” I promise.

“Okay then, I’ll have some paperwork that needs to be filled out. I’ll bring it by later when I come check on Bella.”

Knocking on Sofia’s door I wait for her to answer before going in. “Hey, kid. How’s it goin’?”

“Hey, Logan,” she says quietly.

I take in her appearance, she looks better today than yesterday. She’s still covered in bruises and is now sporting a bright pink cast on her left arm. The swelling on her face has gone down considerably as well. At the end of her bed is an array of magazines, books, and an iPad. I sent Quinn out yesterday to pick up some shit I thought Sofia might enjoy while being stuck sitting in this hospital room. She’s also underweight, and since hospital food fuckin’ sucks, Quinn’s been bringing her treats, mostly ice cream. The first time he asked her what she wanted, she shyly told him she missed ice cream, so every day this week he brings a different flavor.

“How you feelin’ today?”

“Better, how’s Bella?”

“Good, she’ll be here in a bit to see you.”

“Really?” Sofia asks with excitement, sitting up a little straighter in her bed.

“Yeah kid, she’s been asking about you nonstop since she woke up yesterday.”

I can’t help but grin at the smile on Sofia’s face.

“So, you guys will get to go home soon now that Bella is getting better,” she says sadly while looking down at her fidgeting hands.

“Hey,” I say walking over and lifting her chin with my finger, “You’re going to be going home soon too.”

“No, I won’t, I don’t have a home.”

Damn this kid is playing on my heartstrings. Bella told me about her promise to Sofia to save her. I’m not going to tell Sofia she’ll be coming home with us, that’s Bella’s place. “Don’t you worry about all that okay, it’ll all work out, you’ll see.

“Hey sweetheart, it’s Chunky Monkey day.” Quinn singsongs walking through the door. I’ve never been more grateful for the interruption.

“Hey, brother. I just came from seeing your girl, she’s itching to come see Little Bit here.” He tells me, using the nickname he’s given Sofia. “Okay, I’ll go get her and bring her down.”

Walking back into Bella’s room, I motion for Gabriel to follow. I see her and Alba sitting on the edge of the bed talking in hushed tones while giggling. I’ll admit having her sister here is the best thing for her.

“Hey, beautiful,” I say, greeting her with a kiss. I watch as Gabriel takes a seat by the window while I pull a chair up next to the bed. “I’ve got some news to tell you before we go see Sofia.”

“Okay...” Bella draws outs skeptically like she’s preparing for me to say something bad.

“It’s good news, babe,” I assure her. I watch as she visibly relaxes. “I spoke with Dr. Evans, she informed me Sofia has no living relatives. She was able to gather a little information from her. We know both of Sofia’s parents have passed, and she has no family in the States.”

Bella interrupts me. “Logan, what’s going to happen to her? We have to do something.”

“Hold on, I’m getting to that. In cases like this, child services would get involved. Dr. Evans has come up with a solution. What I’m about to say doesn’t leave this room, unless it’s one of the brothers we’re telling.” I wait a moment for Bella and Alba to nod their head in understanding. “She suggested Sofia may have a cousin to claim her as family. Preferably someone who is Latino, since Sofia is from Mexico. It would make it more believable.” I wait for what I said to click. It only takes about three seconds for their heads to turn in Gabriel’s direction.

Grinning and rolling his eyes, he asks, “What do I have to do?”

I never doubted my brother. He would do anything for the club. We all already consider Sofia family for what she did for Bella. “You’ll have to sign some papers, Dr. Evans will bring all that shit by later.”

“So,” Bella chimes in. “She gets to come home with us?”

“Yeah, babe, she’s coming with us. Figured you’d want to be the one to tell her.”

We’re interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by Dr. Evans and an older lady. She looks to be in her late fifties with short gray hair and a warm smile. “If you’ve got a minute, Bella, I have someone who’d like to talk with you.” Dr. Evans’ requests. “Her name is Helen. She is a counselor who specializes in PTSD.” I notice Bella’s body visibly stiffen when the word PTSD is spoken. “I also want to go over your discharge instructions since we’re letting you go home tomorrow.”

As introductions are being made, I notice Gabriel quietly leading Alba out to give us some privacy.

Over the next hour we listen to Helen give us tons of information on post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the names and phone numbers of specialist near Polson. I can tell Bella has shut down and is not really paying attention to Helen’s advice. She’s nodding her head while giving a polite smile, but she has a wall up, I see it in her eyes.

Once Helen has left, and doc gives Bella her after care instructions, I decide now is not the time to press her on her dismissive attitude towards counseling. Instead, I’m going to help her focus on something positive. “How about we go see Sofia? She’s probably wondering where we’re at.” Giving me a smile, a real one, not the fake bullshit smile she had plastered on her face moments ago, she nods.