Chapter Thirty-One
We’vespentthelasttwo days since the attack working on cleaning up Nauti Nibbles.Everyone at the club has taken turns checking on Gavel and putting this place back together.
The first twenty-four hours after Gavel was shot was touch and go.Blackjack kept me informed throughout the night each time his alarms went off and what the nurses were doing.
I stopped by this morning, but he still wasn’t awake yet.The doctor said everything looked better.His vitals were holding steadier than they had been.Gavel’s body just needs rest to recover, he said.If he doesn’t wake on his own by tomorrow morning, they’ll try to pull him out.Then we’ll go from there.
Birdie took the twins to go sit with him this morning.We’re hoping hearing their love for him will help.I sent Butcher and Cyanide as their protection.
Out of all of the brothers, Cyanide would have the most incentive to keep them safe.Not that I don’t trust all of my brothers with my life, but why wouldn’t I take any advantage I could to protect my heart?
“Hey, Prez,” Malice calls, his voice holding a surprised tone.“You might want to come check this shit out.”
“Fuck.What now?”I mutter, running my hands through my hair.
When I step up the propped open doors, my feet cement to the floor.A huge crowd of Coral Cay residents stand around proudly.
My body tightens, preparing to defend our turf with every breath I have in me.But then I get a good look at them and shock rushes through me.Power tools, hammers, and sheets of wood are held in the hands of many of them.
A man with salt and pepper hair steps forward with a tool belt around his waist.“You all have come through for this city more than once, Pope.It’s time for us to have your back.If you’ll show us where you need the help, we’ll get to work and have this place back in top shape.”
I’m not a man who gets choked up about shit, but for some reason, this puts a little quiver in my heart.Acceptance has always been the one thing we’ve sought from them since we moved into Coral Cay.While a lot of them have, we still assumed most of them were still struggling to trust us.
The guy sighs, hitching his toolbelt up his waist.“There’s never been many opportunities to show your club our appreciation for all that you do for this city.You’ve never needed our help for anything.Now you do.This is our way of saying thank you.”
I hold a hand out to him with a sigh and he slides his palm against mine.“We appreciate the help, Gerard.”
His mud-colored eyes hold shock, as if I’ve surprised him again by knowing his name.If only he knew how important it was that I did.Enemies come from everywhere.Even the people you know the best.
Malice and I spend the next ten minutes going over shit with the crowd, placing them throughout the diner where they’re needed the most.Others work on cleaning up the outside and before long there’s a rhythm between all of us.
It’s been a while since we’ve held a community meet, so I make a mental note to see if Birdie would be interested in planning one with the other ol’ ladies after we get Frankie taken care of.That was one of her favorite things to do in the past.She’d always have a blast planning them.Anything that made Birdie happy, I did my best to give to her until everything went to fucking shit because I was an idiot.
My phone rings and I smile when I see Birdie’s name flash across the screen.
“Hey, little mama.”
“Hey.Guess what?”
The excitement in her voice causes my heart to twitch with a few unsteady beats as it tries to catch up with her.
“What?”
“Legend was talking to Gavel and it happened.Gavel squeezed his hand!The nurse thought it might just be a reflex, but when Lovelyn asked him if he could hear her, he did it again.He’s going to be okay, Apollonos.He’s going to make it.”
“Sounds like you’re right, little mama,” I choke out.
We talk for a few more minutes before she says the nurse is allowing them back in.So, we say our goodbyes and hang up.
I’m sliding my phone back into my pocket when it starts ringing again.Thinking she forgot something, I don’t pay attention to the number or name on my screen and just slide my finger across the green phone icon.
“Forgot something?”I answer with a laugh.
“I didn’t forget anything.We just need better aim next time.”
The taunting voice on the other end has my body going rigid as my fingers tighten around my phone.
“Frankie,” I growl.
