“Find her!” Drake yelled. “Ten hours! You haven’t known where my fucking daughter is for almost half a fucking day, and you’re just now calling me! Someone should’ve been at my place waiting for me, as soon as I got off my bike. Swear to God. You don't find my daughter, I’m cutting off your fucking nuts.”

Ten hours – Talon had been gone. She was going to be okay. I looked around on the ground. I’d gotten most of the shards of glass cleaned earlier, but hadn’t had a chance to pick up the drawer of utensils that was tipped over. I spotted a large kitchen knife. The handle was just within reach, and Drake’s back was turned to me, not that he’d ever expect me to fight back since I’d never fought back before.

I grabbed the knife and stood as quietly as I could. He hung the phone up and just as he was about to turn to me, I plunged the knife deep into his side. “I hate you. You piece of shit.”

Drake was stunned, and for a brief second, he looked like he was going to drop. Blood dripped from his side, but I didn't have a chance to grab the knife back out of his side, or do anything else.

His hand shot out, and he backhanded me, making me fly into the wall. “You stupid fucking bitch,” Drake roared. I looked for something else sharp and watched as he pulled the blade from his side.

Blood gushed everywhere. Drake grabbed me by the hair and dragged me to the living room. I twisted and turned trying to get free. Once in the living room, Drake let me go, only to punch me in the face.

“I’m going to fucking kill you, you fucking cunt!” He grabbed his gun from the table and pointed it at my head.

I knew I was about to die. I knew that there wasn't anything I could do, so I said what I needed to say to him, before he pulled the trigger.

“You’ll never be a man like Mickey is. You kill me, but you're doing it knowing that our daughter will see you for the monster you are. Before you pull that trigger, I want you to know that I hate you. Mickey has my heart, and even if I'm dead, you'll never have that again.”

He pressed the gun against my temple. I waited. I knew this was going to be the end and that there was nothing I could do to stop it. In that brief moment, before Drake pulled the trigger, I saw Mickey. He was an apparition. I felt stronger with his presence, and in that moment, seeing his face, I felt peace.

***

Mickey

I TALKED TO TALON AS soon as I landed and got her address. She was safe, scared but safe. Jules and Zeke were with her, so I knew she'd be alright.

I needed to get to Marie. It took far too long for me to get a rental car at the airport. All they had was a goddamn Prius. I pushed it as fast as it would go, and I stopped at the first gun store I saw. In Florida, it was easy to get a gun. I just signed on the dotted line, and off I went. I pulled up to Marie’s house, and I didn't wait feel like I had a second to waste. I wasn't even sure what drove me to move so quickly, but my gut screamed go. I kicked in the door, hoping for an element of surprise. I was going to kill that motherfucker, as soon as I saw him. Nothing could have prepared me for what I walked in on. That sinking feeling came to fruition.

Marie was beaten, bloody, naked, and on her knees with a gun pressed to her temple. For the quickest moment, the room seemed to stop in time. Love shone in Marie's eyes. They flashed resolute, and then they seemed to say good-bye.

Drake grinned at me like he’d won.

Marie mouthed my name, but no sound came out.

I felt a beat of my heart, and then another.

My heart was in front of me, and she was telling me good-bye. I’d given in to my hatred for Drake and let her leave with him, and she was silently saying she loved me as her eyes locked onto mine.

Another heartbeat.

Time started moving again and everything happened quickly.

I raised my gun, aiming at Drake. I was always a great shot. I aimed for his head and squeezed. I heard another shot go off at the same time. The bullet hit Drake exactly where I wanted it to. He slumped forward, falling onto Marie. I rushed to Marie, pushing Drake off of her. Half his face was gone. All I felt was relief that he couldn't hurt my girls, again.

Marie wasn’t moving. I grabbed her in my arms. It was then that I noticed she was bleeding from her head.

He shot her.

I didn't make it in time. He fucking shot her. “No!” I screamed. “God, no!”

I held her to me, and felt the faintest of pulses. “Don’t leave me, love. Hang on.”

Tears ran down my cheeks. I loved her so much. The ache in my chest felt like it was splitting me in two.

I pulled my phone out and dialed 9-1-1, and prayed that they would get here soon. “Love, I’m sorry. I’m so fecking sorry, I wasn't quick enough. I’m sorry I believed him. I’ll never forgive myself for letting ye leave with him. He’s gone, honey. Come back to me. Be okay. I love ye. Be okay.” I pleaded and begged her. She had to be okay.

***

THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE showed up. They wanted to question me about everything that happened, but I couldn't leave Marie's side. I wouldn't. They’d have to drag me away.

I overheard two police officers talking. One was insisting that I be arrested and the other was saying, “I don’t care what the hell happened, this isn't the first time we’ve seen him hurt her, and you know it. As far as I’m concerned, we owe that man a debt.”

They let me get in the ambulance with her. Her heart rate was erratic. They were pushing medicine through an IV.

I rubbed her forehead and prayed that she wouldn't leave me. Once at the hospital, they rushed Marie back and I waited. The police wanted to get my story, but were giving me some space.

A nurse approached me, “Can you tell me what happened, so we might get a better idea of her injuries?” I explained to her that Drake had taken their daughter and used it as leverage to get Marie to go back him. I told them that Talon was safe. The nurse gently suggested that if I could, I needed to get her here. So, reluctantly fearing the pain I Talon was about to be in, I called Jules.

“Talk to me,” Jules answered.

My voice broke, ‘Jules,” fuck I could barely get it out, “I didn't get here in time. She took a bullet in her head. She’s in surgery. I need ye to get Talon here, as quickly as ye can.”

“I’m on it, brother.”

“I need to tell Talon.”

“No, I’ll talk to her. I’m going to borrow a bike. I don't want her freaked on the ride. I got this. You just stay strong for Tal.”

“Call Maura.”

“On that, too.”

I gave him the hospital information before we disconnected, then I sat in the sterile, white hospital waiting room for countless hours.

The police did eventually come over and talk with me, and was assured that they would look at it as self-defense. I was still by myself, when the doctor came out. I couldn't read his face, and I was an excellent fecking judge of character, so the fact that I couldn’t see what he was thinking unnerved me.

“Are you here for Marie Bettinger?”

“I am.” I rose from the seat and shook the doctor's hand.

“I’m Doctor Orlic. Let me start with the good news. She’s alive.”

I breathed out a huge lungful of air and inhaled again feeling like I was taking my first real breath in days. I closed my eyes for a moment, then looked at the doctor. “The bad news?”

“We removed the bullet that was in her head. I can tell you it hit the part of her brain that stores memory. I don't know what the damage to her motor functions, her speech, her sensory functions, her memory, any of it will be until she wakes up, if she wakes up, and that’s a big if. She may not. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will help us determine and whether or not she will recover.”

“What can I do?”

“Pray.”

The doctor gave me a sympathetic look, “She’s in Post-Op now, and then we’ll move her to the Critical Care Unit. We’ll let you know when we move her.”

“Can I see her?”

“Once we move her to the critical care unit.”

I nodded and thanked the doctor, and then began a different waiting process. I wasn't sure what to do with myself, so I did the one thing I hadn’t done since I was a lad.

I found myself in the hospital chapel. I was going to beg God, sell my soul, if I had too; anything. The chapel was a mini version of a church. There were only two rows of pews that could maybe fit three people on each. There was a Mother Mary statue surrounded by candles. A few were burning, but most were unlit. There was a small place to kneel in front of a statue of Jesus. I lit a candle and knelt, and said Hail Mary, after Hail Mary.

I begged for forgiveness for all the sins I had committed. Then, I asked God to save Marie’s life.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I prayed to a God, that I hadn’t paid much mind to.

“Not sure if yer listening to me. Maybe ye stopped long ago, but if there’s a chance that ye hear me, and I’m not doomed for damnation, please; please don't let this be it for her. Save her. Take me if you have to, but please God, please, get her through this. Hasn't she been through enough? Why? Why her? Haven’t I lost? Haven’t I endured? Save her. You owe it to her. All she’s had is pain. Please.”

I sat for I’m not even sure how long until a nurse came to get me to tell me they were moving her to critical care. I followed her down a corridor and into the Critical Care Unit where I was told to wash my hands, and there she was.

Broken.

Hooked up to machines, but alive. She had a bandage around her head. Her face was bruised, and I could tell it was because he hit her. Her red locks fanned over her pillow. Even in her sleeping beat up state, she was still beautiful.

I moved a chair close to her and grabbed her hand. “Love, I’m here. Hang in there. I’m here. Talon’s on her way. She’s safe, baby. She’s ours now, okay? None of this separate living thing anymore either, okay? When we get home, Talon and ye will be with me. I’m never going to let anything else happen to ye. I love ye. I love ye so fecking much. Ye heal, love. I’ll be here, when ye wake up.” I closed my eyes, and in my head repeated the same pleading words to God.

A while later, a nurse I came to know as Lindsey, told me I had friends here. I kissed Marie on her head, “I’ll be back, love.” I followed Lindsey out to the waiting area, and saw Talon, Zeke, Jules and Ash, a Devil’s Crusader from our Georgia chapter.

Talon saw me first, and immediately locked eyes with me. I wished my eyes weren’t red-rimmed. She ran to me, and collided in my arms. “Jules wouldn't tell me anything. He just said that mom was hurt, and we needed to get here. Is she okay? I’m scared, Mickey.”

I held her close to me, and sat down with her in the chairs where my brothers and Zeke were waiting. Zeke seemed protective over Talon, sitting close to her.

“My sweet Talon. I want ye to know that ye have me. No matter what happens, I’m your family. Do ye got that?” Her chin quivered, and I could tell how strong she was trying to be. “First, good job on losing those Raiders. I’m proud of ye.” I took a deep breath knowing that everything else I had to say was going to be much harder. “I’m sorry. I didn't get there in time. Yer dad; he hurt her. Real bad, and I’m sorry to have to tell you this, and I hope ye’ll forgive me. I made it so he can’t hurt the two of ye ever again.”

“Is she... is she alive?”

“Aye, he shot her and she’s had emergency brain surgery. She pulled through, but the doctors say she’s still very critical and when she does wake up, I don’t know what will be damaged.”

“But she’s going to be alright? Right, Mickey?” Talon started to lose it.

“We need to be strong for her.” I held her, and she cried while Zeke rubbed circles on her back. After a few minutes, I asked, “Will you forgive me?” Talon pulled away from me and asked, “For what? You didn't shoot her.”

“No, but I didn't make it in time.”

“That was him. Not you.”

I nodded to her, “Do ye want to go in and see her? I think it’ll be good for her to hear ye, but I have to warn ye, she doesn't look good, and I won’t blame ye if ye want to wait until she awakes.”

“I’ll go.” Talon stood, and Zeke squeezed her hand.

“Are you sure, Pretty Bird? You don't have to,” Zeke said.

“I do. She needs me.” Zeke nodded and let go of her hand, and I was glad she had him.

We walked up to the nurse's station, and I introduced Talon to Nurse Lindsey, who gave both of us sympathetic looks. We rewashed our hands and entered the CCU. Talon gasped and rushed to her mom’s bedside.

“Oh, Mommy,” she cried, and my heart ached. Talon seemed younger than ever before.

“Be strong for her, Tal,” I coaxed. “Talk to her.”

Talon began telling her about how she was picked up at school, and how the police released her into her dad’s custody, which meant his goons. She told her mother that they were idiots that duct taped her hands together, and that she had to stay in the car for a long time without going to the bathroom, but she was able to get away. She told her about the kind woman who helped her. I sat silently taking it all in from Talon’s perspective.

She was brave like her mother. Fearless in so many ways, but still a child in so many others. I could see her young love with Zeke. I was glad that my talk with her on the four-wheeler had helped, and she was willing to give him another chance, but I was also pleased that she stood her ground and demanded to be treated right.

After Talon had talked for some time, Nurse Lindsey returned and told us she needed to check Marie’s dressing, and that we should get something to eat. We walked out to Jules and Zeke.

“Everything alright?” Jules asked.

“They’re changing her bandage. Has Tal eaten?”

“I can't eat,” she said, overhearing us.

“Try.”

“Can you eat?”

No, I really couldn’t. Score one for Tal. I nodded my head, letting her know I understood exactly where she was coming from.

“Mickey, can I use your phone?”

“Of course. Who do ye need to call?”

“I haven't talked to my best friend since we moved, but I’d really like her here.”

I handed her my phone, and wondered how much she had given up, because of her piece of shit old man. She thanked me, and took my phone.

“You should eat, man. At least let me get you some clothes. You’re a mess.” I looked down at myself for the first time and noticed the bloodied shirt I still wore. I must’ve looked frightening. “Yeah, okay,” I nodded.

“I got an extra shirt in my saddle bag. I’ll go get it and some food,” Ash said leaving us.

I paced the room until he came back, and then on autopilot, I borrowed a pair of scrub bottoms, found a shower, and washed away the blood.

Her blood.

My sweet angel’s.

***

“DADDY,” MAURA LET GO of Corbin’s hand once she saw me, and ran to me with open arms. I buried my head in her hair, and held on. It was just Maura and me for so long, and it wasn't that long ago that she found herself in a similar situation with her husband. He woke up. He’s proof that Marie can, too. He was standing in front of me, breathing. It would be okay, right?

I sat down and explained what had happened to Maura and Corbin. Before long, Daws, Aubrey, Jenny, Jarrod and Tiny showed up. They must’ve caught a flight.

Marie was getting a CT, when Talon’s friend Erin showed up. It was clear she was a club kid, which surprised me. She seemed older than Talon. My guess was by a few years, but I doubted she was older than sixteen. She had her hair braided like she was on a bike, wore a Harley Tee and motorcycle boots. They hugged like they hadn’t seen each other in years, which I guess in a teenager’s world, they hadn’t.

Talon sat back down next to me, and I felt protective.

“So, what happened?” Erin asked, crouching in front of Talon. There was a bond there, but I wasn’t sure what to make of her. I could’ve offered my seat up to Erin. It would’ve been the right thing to do, but I needed to stay close. I was afraid that this would be hard for Talon.

“My dad shot my mom,” Talon stated, matter of factly, but I could see the tremble in her hands.

“That’s fucked up, Talon,” Erin whispered. I reached out and squeezed Tal’s hand, offering her support.

“Where’s Drake, then? Jail?”

I wondered if she was part of his club, and where her loyalties lay. She was a kid, but I was skeptical. Maybe that’s what being a dad is? Maybe being a father is fearing the worst and making sure your girls are protected. That was the thing, wasn't it? If I’d been honest with myself, I’d been seeing Talon as mine for a while now. It was easy, natural.

Talon looked at me while answering her friends question like she needed me to know where her loyalties were, “Rotting in hell,” she said bitterly.

Erin gasped, “Drake’s gone? Oh, my God. I wonder what’s going to happen with everyone. Oh, my God. This is crazy.”

“Yep.” Talon was curt with her friend.

“Talon, he’s your dad. I know this is fucked up, but he’s your dad. Are you okay?”

“You don’t know, Erin. The things he did to my mom,” she shook her head, “you don't know. Yeah, I’m glad he’s dead.”

I closed my eyes briefly and wondered if she’d look at me like the man who killed her dad, or the man who saved her mom. Erin plopped on her butt, and sat in front of Talon. “Do you need anything?”

“You being here is good.”

“Do you want me to call more of your friends? I know I don't talk to a lot of the same girls as you, but I could get a hold of them.”

Talon shook her head. “It’s been so long. I’m out of the loop. Fill me in. How’s life been?”

Erin went on and on about who was dating whom and what this girl said about that girl. Hearing her drone on made my guard go down. She was just a girl. I zoned out for some of that, but then zeroed in again, when I heard Erin ask, “Who’s he?” she nodded towards Zeke. He hadn’t left Talon’s side and but gave them space, kind of like what I was doing.

“This is Zeke. He’s my...”

“Boyfriend,” Zeke cut Talon off. “I’m her boyfriend. Don't let her tell you differently, either.”

Talon shot Zeke a look, and her cheeks reddened. I was listening intently. Talon was my responsibility. She was my family. I wasn't going to ignore the fact that she was still young, and that Zeke was a horny lad.

“He’s hot. How’d you meet?”

“Mickey’s like family to me,” Zeke said proudly.

“Who’s Mickey?”

“He’s practically her new daddy.”

“Zeke, I can talk for myself!” I thought about how much I wouldn't mind Talon thinking of me as her dad when Marie is better, and we can all get on with our life.

“Mickey is my mom’s boyfriend. He’s good people.” Erin looked at me, and it was like she was just now noticing my patch for the first time. I watched as her eyes moved from me to my brothers and their wives. She looked at each man, and then for the briefest second, she stopped on Tiny. It was slight, but she was young, and her features couldn't hide the fact that she recognized him. There was a momentary look of shock, and then she masked her features.

“Jules, a minute?” I stood placing my hand on Talon’s shoulder, “I’ll be just a few, but if she comes back and I’m not here, ye sit with her, alright?” Talon nodded in agreement.

“Maura, you got Tal?”

“Of course.”

I needed to make sure Talon’s back was always covered.

I walked towards the chapel with Jules close behind. “What is it?” he asked, once we were sure we were alone.

“I think I know who our mole is. My gut is telling me I’m right.”

Jules’ face hardened. “Who?”

“Talon’s friend, Erin, recognized Tiny.” Jules looked like I had slapped him.

“You sure? He’s been with us for a long time. Longer than me. Longer than you.”

“You question, Erin. Maybe I’m wrong, but my gut...”

“I know, brother,” Jules said.

My gut was rarely wrong.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Of that, I had no doubt. Jules wasn’t afraid to do what needed to be done. “I need to get back.”

“Go, I’ll handle it.” Marie was being rolled back to CCU as we walked back to the nurse's station.

“I’m going to go sit with her. Will you see if Maura can get Talon to eat?”

“Yeah. You should eat something, too.” I nodded. I’d eat, not yet though. I needed some good news first.

Two days later I’d hoped, when she squeezed my hand, I’d hoped that I’d have that news. She woke up, but it wasn’t the news I prayed for; she wasn't okay.