*Creed*

 

Diesel and Doc followed me out of the back entrance of the hospital to avoid the press. We headed over to my bike that was in the back parking lot, hidden from the main street. Sitting pretty next to Diesel’s bike and Doc’s car. They must have had prospects drive them over.

The cargo van was nowhere to be found, not that I expected it to.

“Fuck, never thought I’d see the day you’d get your ass kicked like that,” Diesel chuckled, walking beside me. “Better yet, never thought you’d let someone kick your ass like that.”

I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up as soon as I got to the old girl. Inhaling half the filter in one long, hard drag, letting the smoke seep from my busted up lips and nose. “Ain’t nothin’ I didn’t deserve,” I reminded, spitting a mouthful of blood on the pavement, ignoring the sting in my lungs from Mia’s father’s assault. I took a seat on the curb, mentally and physically fucking exhausted from all the bullshit that had gone down. Allowing the nicotine to course through me, hoping it would calm my nerves the way it always had.

“Creed, you’re bleedin’ all over the fuckin’ place,” Doc stated the obvious, grabbing some alcohol swabs and gauze pads from the back seat of his car. “This may sting,” he informed, swiping the alcohol pad over the gash above my eye.

“The fuck?” I winced, turning my head away.

“It’s deep, but not deep enough for stitches. I’ll butterfly it to stop the bleeding and clean up your fuckin’ ugly mug.”

I nodded. Too tired to argue.

“You know Mia will back us up, Creed. She won’t say a word till she speaks to one of us. She’s a good fuckin’ girl,” Diesel said out of nowhere as if he thought that was what I needed to hear.

“Let’s get one thing clear, yeah? I don’t give a fuck what Mia tells them. Truth, lies, it’s all the same. All I want is ta’ put fuckin’ holes in whoever’s heads are behind this. Ya feel me?”

He nodded.

“Ain’t too fuckin’ happy about the bullshit lies you told in there, though.”

“What did you want us to say, Creed? Huh? It’s not just about you. We were all in involved in some way or another. Besides, it’s not that far from the truth. You did save her. Can’t hold yourself responsible for her baby—”

“Don’t even fuckin’ say it! You say it, and we ain’t brothers no more.” I took another long drag, cocking my head to the side, looking him over.

“Jesus Christ, man. You’re your own worst enemy, Creed. One day I hope you fuckin’ realize that. You did what you had to do! End of fuckin’ story. I’ll meet you back at the club, Prez called in church.”

“Ain’t leavin’ till I know she’s alright. You tell Prez he can take it up with me later.”

“What are you gonna do, Creed? Sneak into her room?” Doc questioned, looking at me like I was fucking crazy.

“If that’s what it takes.”

“Creed!” Mason hollered, interrupting us. Running through the parking lot, over to where we were.

Doc nodded goodbye, taking off. Diesel lingered for a few seconds before jumping on his bike and speeding off toward the clubhouse. Waving at Mason as he rode by.

I flicked my cig into the bushes, lighting another one as he walked up. “Look at you,” I breathed out through the smoke, eyeing him up and down. “All decked out in your fatigues. Boots still pinch like a motherfucker?”

He chuckled, knowing I was just trying to make light of the situation. “I was back at Fort Bragg when my parents’ called, saying Mia had been found. Been back in the states since the last time we talked. I jumped on the first plane I could out of Afghanistan after finding out she was missing. Wanting to be as close to home and my family as possible to help find my sister.”

I resisted the urge to ask him how he was doing as he took a seat beside me. Resting his elbows on his knees and signaling for my cigarette, instantly reminding me of old times.

Mason never smoked unless we were in the middle of a shit storm overseas. I guess this situation could be comparable to that.

He took a few drags, peering over at me. “I’m sorry about my dad, man. He… just… just give him some time. The last few months have been pure hell for them. I don’t think they’ve slept for more than an hour, here and there. Terrified they’d miss something. Focusing solely on trying to find her. I swear they’ve aged ten years since Mia went missing. My Aunt Lily has been running my mom’s restaurant, and my dad has his employees running jobs. Bo’s been a fucking wreck… Fuck, bro, my whole family has. Nobody had given up hope that we’d find her alive, and I think that’s the only reason we’re all still standing.”

Bile rose in my throat, but I pushed it back down. It was one thing to assume they were going through hell, it was another thing entirely to fucking hear it. I didn’t think I could feel like any more of a piece of shit than I already did, but I was wrong.

Yet again.

“He’s grateful you found her, I swear,” he reassured, even though I knew he was full of shit.

We sat there for I don’t how long, passing the cigarette back and forth. Exactly how we used to. There were times when all I looked forward to was doing this with him, mindful that we were both going through the same shit. Fully aware that we might not make it out alive. War didn’t even come fucking close to what I knew we were both going through right now.

Except they got Mia back.

And I just fucking lost her.

“Fuck… bro… if you… I mean… if you hadn’t… found her… she could of…” Mason stammered, unable to say what he was thinking, not realizing how close she was to exactly that.

Death.

“You got no idea…” I whispered under my breath. “Your old man may be grateful she’s back, but not wit’ my involvement in it. He made that very fuckin’ clear. Don’t hold it against him either, if my baby girl was missin’ and then turned up lyin’ in a hospital bed,” I paused, shaking my head. “The motherfucker responsible would be dead.” Stubbing out my cigarette with my boot, I stood. Not wanting to have this conversation any longer.

“Do you know who did this?” he asked, looking up at me. “What fucking happened out there, Creed? How did you find her?”

I walked over to my bike blowing off his interrogation, removing my cut and draping it over my seat. Waiting for what I knew he’d say next.

“What the fuck, man?! If you know who is responsible for this, I want to help take the fuckers down!”

We locked eyes.

“You wanna help me? Then I need ya to do me a favor.”

Mason didn’t bat one eye when I asked him for his uniform. He was fully aware of why I needed it. I think it was his way of thanking me for bringing his sister back home. This was the only way I could get past security and anyone else who stood in my way. After we exchanged clothes, he took off saying he’d be back later. Something about needing to go find Giselle, she’d been ignoring his calls since he came home. He was going to drive over to her apartment and tell her Mia had been found.

Shortly after midnight, I walked through the double doors of the hospital like a man on a fucking mission. Praying I could pull it off and see my girl. I spent hours outside waiting for the right moment, hiding in the fucking shadows watching people come and go. Eventually spotting Mia’s dad leaving just after eleven-thirty. Minus Detective McGraw. When he got into his car and sped off, I knew I didn’t have much time.

But it was now or never.

I walked in like I knew where I was going. Hanging my head, hiding under the brim of Mason’s military hat as I made my way down the now dim hallway. Heading straight toward Mia’s room. There were three police officers right outside her door, just as I expected there would be. McGraw’s back was turned to me, talking to one of the cops by the nurse’s station. I approached with caution, my heart beating out of my fucking chest the closer I got to see her. I saw McGraw abruptly turn out the corner of my eye as I passed by.

“Hey, Mason,” he called out.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t turn. I just raised my hand, making sure the cuff on his crew was pulled down past the tattoos on my hand. Giving him a wave as I approached the guards.

Nodding to them before I reached for the handle and quickly walked into the room, closing the door behind me.

“Shit,” I groaned, faltering against the door. Even through the soft lighting of the hospital room, I could still see Mia’s mom sitting beside her on the bed, holding onto Mia’s hand.

Not saying a word, she eyed me up and down, taking in Mason’s military fatigues and badge. Letting out a loud, long breath when she was done.

I removed my hat, giving her the only respect I could. “No disrespect, ma’am. I just wanna see her and make sure she’s all right,” I coaxed, needing her to know.

She glanced back down at Mia who was hooked up to all sorts of machines. I recognized some of them which were similar to what Doc had used. Though most I didn’t know what the fuck they were for. She stood, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a tissue, and adjusted Mia’s blankets to tuck her in. Reminding me how she came from such a loving family. Breaking my heart even more that I was also responsible for this woman’s pain. She leaned over and placed a kiss on her daughter’s forehead, murmuring something in her ear I couldn’t make out.

“You got twenty minutes,” her mom whispered, peering up at me, catching me completely off guard. Never expecting her to say that. “I need some coffee.” With that, I moved away from the door, letting her pass by.

I walked over to Mia and stood at the foot of her bed. Watching my world, my girl, my life, fight for hers.

“She hasn’t woken up yet, but the doctors think that she’s going to be just fine. Physically that is… the rest will take time to heal,” she shared, bringing my attention back to her. She was almost the spitting image of Mia, except for the brown eyes. “Mia has always been a very happy girl, and it breaks my heart that losing her baby… that… this…” Her eyes welled up with tears, struggling to keep going. “But Mia’s a fighter. She’s always been this stubborn, strong-willed, determined girl. Even as a baby there was no telling her no. If Mia put her mind to something then she would do it. I know she will get through this, we all will. Even her father.”

“Why are you lettin’ me stay?” I questioned, yearning to know.

“Because if my son can you give you the benefit of the doubt then I can, too. But please do me a favor. Be gone before I get back.”

I nodded as she turned around and left.

The beeping sound of Mia’s heart monitor brought my eyes back to her. The rhythmic hissing sound of the ventilator echoed all around me. Filling me with some sort of hope. I pulled up a chair next to her bed to get a closer look at her beautiful face. Reaching for her hand, I lifted it and placed it in my tight grasp. Hoping that she could feel my presence, my heart, and my love for her.

I leaned forward, bowing my head in shame over her broken, bruised, cut up body. Laying my forehead on our joined hands. Needing to feel her soft skin against mine, I kissed along her pulse.

It felt like only seconds had gone by, but my time was starting to run out with her. I didn’t know when I would be able to see her again.

Hold her.

Feel her.

Love her.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry, Pippin,” I choked out, praying she could hear me.

She could feel me.

She could possibly still love me.

Her hand stirred, and I immediately looked up, narrowing my eyes. I was so fucking exhausted, I couldn’t even see straight. I blinked away the haze, thinking my mind was playing tricks on me, but it wasn’t. Big, bright blue eyes stared back at me, void of any reaction. Dazed and confused. She searched my face for I don’t know how long before she blinked, showing me she was really awake. As if she could read my mind.

“Oh my god, baby, you’re awake.” I jumped out of my seat, getting close to her face just so I could feel my lips against her skin. “Jesus Christ, Pippin… I love you so fuckin’ much… I’m so fuckin’ sorry, babe. I’ll do whatever it takes… please… please… fuckin’ forgive me...” I urged, kissing all over her face. Unable to get enough of her. Wanting her to feel my love, hear the sincerity in my voice. The desperation in my touch. So fucking thankful she was awake.

I leaned back, taking her face in my hands to look into her eyes. Ready to get on my knees and beg her for forgiveness. Do whatever it took to make her mine again. 

Her eyes widened and her skin suddenly paled, making my heart suddenly drop.

“Fuck… baby, you okay? Tell me you’re okay…”

She stared right into my eyes and softly muttered,

 

“Who are you?”