With every plan, there is potential for either success or failure. Whether it is making a sandwich, planning a vacation, or steamrolling over every motherfucker who has threatened your club and woman in the last few months with a downpour of bullets and bloodshed; it all takes a little careful planning and a lot of fucking luck. Being that my plan had multiple stages only made the possibility for failure that much more probable. I have no problem admitting that I was putting all my eggs in one weak ass basket. Having gotten rid of Teague and his men, I knew it was possible that Lorzano would expect me to take that bullet knowing that Cheyenne was safe. Did I offer my life in exchange for her safety? Yes. Was it my plan to actually eat the goddamn bullet? Fuck no.

If I go out like that, it sure as hell won’t be unarmed and on my knees like a little bitch. Whoever manages to kill my ass is damn sure working for it.

Cheyenne is asked several times, by all of us, to go to the Emergency Room and get checked out, but swears she is fine and refuses. After checking her over myself, I see nothing other than the bruising on her neck and one side of her face. Even though that is enough to make my goddamn blood boil, I know how much worse it could have been. Had it been anyone other than her, they probably wouldn’t be standing here. Shy is a fighter. Tough as nails. I fucking love that about her. So as angry as I was when I saw the marks that bastard put on her, it was hard as hell to hide the pride I felt swelling in my chest knowing my girl handed back better than she got.

Now that the adrenaline is fading, so is the mask she puts up to hide what is going on in her head. Whether she wants to admit it or not, I can see how visibly shaken she still is by the shit that went down on the lot. Her hands are still trembling, and her beautiful blue eyes are red and swollen from crying.

That is in large part because of me. I know that.

I hate that I couldn’t tell her what was happening, but there wasn’t time for that shit. Doing that could have put her at risk and I was not about to allow that to happen again. Her anger about that is buried beneath the relief that I wasn’t killed, and the worry she feels now that she has heard how critical Doc’s condition is has really been.

At the ICU doors, we are immediately met by the same nurse Jinks was talking to before. “Decoda, Dr. Holloman has explained several times, only immediate family are allowed back with your father.”

“I’m Cheyenne Jinks,” Shy says, stepping between them. “Nathan Jinks is my father. I need to see him now.”

The nurse’s eyes move to me. “Sorry, Sweetheart.” Reaching out, I lace Shy’s fingers with my own, making it crystal fucking clear that I won’t be going anywhere. “Gonna need you to make an exception for me.” Flashing her my biggest smile, I cross my fingers over my heart as I speak like a little girl making a promise to her best friend. “I’ll tuck myself in a corner and be a perfect gentleman. You won’t even know I’m here.”

“I highly doubt that,” she says, sarcasm dripping from her lips. Looking up and down the hallway quickly, she nods her head. “Go ahead; you cause any trouble, I never saw you. Got me?”

“Loud and clear,” I reply, giving her a mock salute with my other hand.

Jinks pushes the door open and gestures for Shy to go ahead of him. Her grip on my hand tightens, a sob tearing from her chest when she sees Doc lying in the bed. “Oh God.” Bringing her other hand up to her mouth, she gasps. Looking to me, her eyes fill with tears again. I would rather take a knife to the heart than see the broken look on her face. “You should’ve told me,” she breathes. Dropping my hand, she goes to him. “Pop,” she chokes out, covering his hand with hers.

Stepping up behind her, I give her arms a squeeze. “I wasn’t tellin’ you that shit over the phone like that. You had enough to worry about, Babe.”

“Agreed,” Jinks says, walking over and dropping down into a chair in the corner. “Pop’s a tough old bastard. No sense in worryin’ you because he lost one of his nine lives. Hell, Doctor Holloman is confident he’ll be good as new in no time.” Scrubbing a hand over his head, Jinks whistles through his teeth. “He’s gonna be pissed when he finds out what he’s missed.”

“You can say that again,” I tell him, releasing my hold on Shy to move the chair beside the bed close enough for her to sit in. Pressing a hand to her shoulder, I make sure she does exactly that. “Especially seeing Ashmead go all rouge badass.” Shy and Jinks both look at me, completely confused. “What?” I shrug, dropping my ass to the arm of Shy’s chair. “Grouchy old fucker digs the badge.”

“Pop?” she asks, squeezing his hand. “D and I aren’t ready to handle shit ourselves. Besides, you’re gonna be a grandfather. I’m gonna need you for a while longer, okay?” Gasping, she jumps to her feet.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, shifting forward to get a better look.

“He squeezed my hand.”

Doc’s lips twitch up into a half smile. “I’m here, Baby girl,” Doc says, his voice barely audible. “Just restin’ my eyes.”

“Pop.” Shy’s voice is filled with relief. “Do you need anything? Are you okay? Jesus,” she mutters, rolling her eyes. “Of course you’re not okay.”

“Gonna take a lot more than a couple bullets to put this old dog down,” he tells her. “Thirsty as hell though.”

Jinks jumps up, both of us watching as Doc’s thumb moves back and forth over her hand. “I’ll get the nurse,” Jinks says, striding from the room.

Opening his eyes, Doc blinks several times before focusing in on Shy. His smile widens, relief and love filling his eyes. He clears his throat. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks,” she sniffles. “You should see the other guy.”

“’Atta girl.” His eyes move to me, the smile fading. “You still plan to make good on what you said before?”

“Heard that, huh?” I ask, thinking back to the one-sided conversation.

“Heard what?” Shy asks, her eyes shifting between the two of us.

“Bet your ass,” he nods. “You had shit to get off your chest. Thought it best to let ya do that instead of tellin’ ya shit you already know.”

Pushing to my feet, I nod my head. “I meant every word.” Though I feel Shy’s eyes on me, I keep mine on Doc.

He nods. “Knew you had love for my little girl. It wasn’t ‘til shit went down at Thurmond Lake that I decided you could ever be the right man for her.”

“I didn’t hesitate,” I reply, honestly. I think back to that day and how calm I was when I dove out from behind that tree and tackled Doc to the ground. The only thought in my mind, at that moment, was how much Cheyenne needed Doc. Losing him is one of the things she is most afraid of. I couldn’t allow that to happen. “You mean too much to her to go out like that.”

His face turns serious, but there is pride in his eyes when he looks at me. “You were willing to sacrifice yourself to protect her from that hurt.” Cheyenne lets go of Doc’s hand. Facing me, she searches my eyes, tears filling her own, but she doesn’t say anything.

“I love her,” I say, my eyes moving to Shy. Her eyes widen, a tear slipping down her cheek as she gives me a small smile. Reaching out, I swipe the tear away with my thumb. “You do whatever it takes for the ones you love.”

“Hope you understand the love she’s got for you,” Doc continues. “Means the blade slices just as deep if she loses you. Remember that, Son.”

“I will,” I assure him, knowing that he would probably climb out of that bed and beat my ass if he knew the shit I pulled earlier. Hate to break it to him, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat for her.

“How are we feeling, Nathan?” the nurse says, strolling into the room with a jug of water and a Styrofoam cup with a lid and straw.

“Like I did shots of sand and razor blades,” he says, clearing his throat.

“I bet,” she replies, working on filling the cup. “How about some water?” Shy and I step back, allowing her to get to him. Securing the lid, she slips the straw into it and holds it to his lips. “Small sips, Nathan.”

Doc takes a couple drinks, then pulls back. Looking up at her, he arches a brow. “Woman, no one’s called me Nathan in over twenty years,” he chuckles. Instantly, he hisses out a breath and presses his hand to his chest. “Guess my body ain’t ready for jokes just yet.”

Looking at her watch, the nurse nods. “Your body has limitations while it heals. You’ll need to accept that.”

“Yeah right,” Jinks mutters from the doorway. “Stubborn son of a bitch thinks he’s ten foot tall and bulletproof.”

“Obviously, I’m not bulletproof, asshole,” Doc grunts, flipping him off. “Now get the hell outta here and let me get some rest. Vistin’ hours are over.”

The nurse steps aside, allowing Shy to lean down and kiss Doc’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Pop. Want me to bring ya anything?”

“Chili dogs, chocolate cake, and a pint jar from the pantry in my room,” he says, winking at her. His eyes move to the nurse, then back to Shy. “On second thought, probably best not to bring the dogs. Bet those aren’t approved for my post-op diet.”

“I’m sure liquor isn’t either, Pop,” Shy scowls, giving his hand one last squeeze.

Pushing off the door jam, Jinks smirks. “Hateful old fucker bled White Lightnin’ when he was shot. Those EMTs came runnin’ with Mason Jars and shot glasses.”

“Good,” Doc replies. “Bill the bastards. We can put that cash toward the medical bills.”

Sitting his cup on the table beside the bed, the nurse tells Doc she is going to get his meds ready before following us out of the room. Shy’s hand slides into mine as we make our way out to the parking lot where Torch sits in the van waiting beside my bike.

When Jinks opens the passenger door for Shy, she shakes her head. “I’m ridin’ back with Schrader.”

“You’re not gettin’ on the back of a bike in your condition,” Jinks says, shaking his head. “Not after all the shit that’s gone down.”

“I wasn’t askin’ you, Big Brother,” Shy bites out. “Huck drove Nita to the hospital on the back of his Harley when she went into labor with Jessica. I’ve had enough men barkin’ orders at me the last two days to last me a lifetime. You can ki—”

Knowing this is going to turn into a fight, I step between them. “Babe.”

“Jason Schrader, I swear, if you even try to—”

Reaching out, I tuck her long brown hair behind her ear. The rest of her words lodge in her throat, ending the argument I knew would have ended with Shy actually breaking his nose this time. Sighing softly, her body relaxes as she tilts her face into my hand, seeking more of my touch. There it is, the sweet that I have spent the last two days missing like fucking crazy. My other arm wraps around her waist, pulling her body into mine, needing her as close as possible.

“Please,” she breathes, her eyes drifting closed. “Schrader, I need this.”

I don’t ask questions. I don’t have to. Her hands slide up my arms and behind my neck, her fingers diving into my hair. Pushing up on her toes, she brushes her lips over mine. My arm tightens around her, needing her as close as possible. Her tongue traces my bottom lip. She whimpers softly against my lips, the sound driving me fucking crazy. Her kiss is soft and slow, like she is savoring every second. It takes everything in me not to thrust my tongue into her mouth and devour her right here, but this isn’t about me.

When she finally pulls back, she looks up at me, her eyes soft and pleading. I start to tell her to get in the damn van. She is exhausted and stretched so thin it is a miracle she is on her feet. But I can’t say the words. My girl needs me, needs the ride to clear her head just as much as I do, and I will be damned if I will say no to that.

“My girl belongs on the back of my bike and that’s exactly where she’s gonna be.” Releasing my hold on her, I hold out my hand. “Let’s go.”