CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SOPHIA
I woke up three days later feeling like death run over. My head was pounding, my bruises were turning a purple, yellowish hue, and I had difficulty breathing. The doctor had told me I had a few cracked ribs, my right arm had been dislocated and I suffered a concussion. I was basically left for dead.
The police came in a few days later and asked me all sorts of questions. At first I was petrified, afraid Ramon would come by to finish the job, but they quickly let me know I didn’t need to worry anymore, my husband was dead. I had asked who had done it, but all they could tell me was that he was found dead at the restaurant and there were a few leads. They also found half his stash of cocaine and marijuana that he stored in the back. I wondered about the rest of his men, but if the FBI were on their ass they would have bolted as soon as they found Ramon.
I should have been upset, but all I felt was relief. Relief and a deep worry that plagued me when wondering if Cain and the Hell’s Lovers had anything to do with Ramon’s death.
Jade came to visit me a week after I woke up. She was the only one who cared enough to see if I was okay. I realized quickly that other than Cain, she was the only one in my life I could truly count on. Of course, it was tough to see her again, especially after what I had done.
“How are you?” She whispered.
“I’m okay. At least I’m not scared anymore.”
She nodded and looked down at her hands. “What you did…”
“I know. I never meant to hurt you or betray you, Jade. You are my only friend. The only one I’ve ever had. I want you to know that.”
She lifted her bright green eyes to meet mine. “Did you ever give anything away?”
I shook my head. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to betray you or Cain. That’s why I’m here. He left me for dead.”
“He was a piece of shit! I’m sorry to say this but…good riddance.”
I nodded. “Do you know who did it? Was it Cain?”
She shook her head. “No, but he was heading over there to do it. Unfortunately, he got there too late. Tuco was shot down by one of Juan de la Cruz’s men.”
My eyes travelled to the sunset outside my window. I couldn’t honestly say I had any pleasant memories of Ramon, but in the beginning...you could say he loved me in his own way. A tear finally rolled down my cheek and I brushed it away. “I knew he was going to get himself killed. He never cared enough about me to listen to what I had to say.”
“Well then, serves him right. The motherfucker had it coming.”
Deep down in my heart I knew she was right, but I didn’t want to respond. Instead, I changed the subject to something I needed to know. “Where’s Cain?”
“He’s back at Ravenous. I’m not going to lie to you. The man’s destroyed. Shit, I haven’t seen him like this since Eliana. I think he’s worst.”
A tear fell down my cheek and I felt my heart break. “I’m sorry, Jade. For everything I did. I’m so sorry.”
She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Hush, now. I know why you did it. It’s not like you expected to fall in love with one of them. It’s hard not to love them.”
I squeezed her hand back and smiled. “Thank you for coming.”
“Hey, I couldn’t leave my best friend stranded.”
I laughed and then winced from the pain on my side.
“He hurt you bad, didn’t he?”
I nodded. “They came out of nowhere. They just dragged me out into an alley, and the next thing I know their beating on me. I think I blacked out because the next face I saw was Cain’s.”
“How did they find you?”
“Ryan warned me not to leave the club, but I needed to go see Cain, so I snuck out.”
“Stupid move,” she shook her head.
“You’re right. I should have known better. Ramon had threatened to kill me.”
Jade patted my hand. “You’re safe now. I’ll help you.”
“You’ve done enough.”
“Where are you planning on going?”
“I have an apartment down near Ramon’s restaurant.”
“Fuck that! You’re moving in with me.”
“No! I couldn’t!”
“Hey! You do what I say now, understood?”
I smiled. She sounded like Cain. “I love you.”
She shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a loveable person. Just don’t tell that to any of the brothers. My reputation is on the line here.”
I laughed and winced again. “You need to stop making me laugh.”
“When are you being released?”
“In a few days.”
“Good. I’ll be here to take you home.”
I was grateful to have Jade. Grateful that she’d forgiven me and that I had my friend back.
A few days later, an envelope floated to the floor as I was getting dressed. It was tucked into a pair of brand new jeans. Inside were hundreds of dollars and a note.
Your medical bills have been paid. Here’s some cash to give you some time. You don’t have to return it, it’s yours. Jade knows what to do if you need anything. C.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. He had come to see me, he still cared. Something in my heart told me he needed time, we both needed time. But God help me if I wasn’t going to fight for that man with every fiber of my being.