He huffs. “You don’t want to find out.”
Brothers begin to venture outside and eye me warily. Ignoring them, I watch on as Shane mounts his bike. He says something to Leo and then rides out of the club. I’m still stood there after the gates are closed and Leo disappears into the bar.
He didn’t drag me to a lawyer’s office so that has to show he wasn’t serious about me signing over custody.
I take Shane’s truck and drive to the hospital. He can’t shout or threaten me in front of the doctors. I take advantage and push through the door after sanitizing my hands.
Shane knows I’m here, but he doesn’t turn away from Wolf’s cot. I begin gently, “How’s he doing this morning?”
“You would know if you had called like I did at the crack of dawn.”
I sigh. I need to find the right words to get through to him before it’s too late.
“I realised something while I’ve been sitting here. You don’t give a shit about Wolf. He was just a means to get to me. So as of now, you don’t have a son.”
My stomach tightens. “But heismy son and I’m not leaving him.”
Keeping his back to me, he continues, “I don’t trust what you’d do to him.”
“I love you, Shane,” I sob.
“See, even now, you’ve not even looked at him since you got here, you just want me.”
“I want you both.”
“Fuck you and fuck your love. I don’t fuckin’ need or want it.”
There’s an empty void in his eyes that has my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. There is nothing to say that will get through to him. I leave and quietly close the door behind me.
I don’t remember much of leaving the hospital or sitting on the bench under the biggest oak tree I’ve ever seen.
I take my phone out of my purse and scroll through my contacts until I hit the last one I thought I’d call.
It rings and I prepare to leave a message when my call is answered.
“Annie? Thank God. Where are you?”
“Uncle Cain, I need your help,” I cry.
Chapter Forty-Three
Shane
“You look strong today, son.” I grin when he looks up at me.
The doctors are still happy with his progress and tomorrow I can take him home. The nurses ask when Annie will be by to see him, throwing curious glances between each other that they think I don’t catch, and all I tell them is she’ll be by soon.
I haven’t left him since Annie left, choosing to sleep in the family room. I’ve had no phone calls or texts either. I should be relieved but all I am is anxious. I still can’t believe she lied, and I don’t think I’ll ever get past it. How she believes I could or would forgive her is beyond me.
I sit with Wolf until early evening, imagining what our lives are going to look like on our own. Holly said her and the old ladies will help out until I’m settled but how long will that take? People’s generosity only lasts so long.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, son. You get some rest and then I’ll take you home.” I press my lips to the top of his head and leave him with the nurses for the last time.
The twins are sat out front as I walk outside and light a cigarette. They jump up and we head for our rides.
“He’s coming home tomorrow, brothers. No more babysitting.”
“Thank fuck for that, Emma’s been on my ass to help out more with the kids.”
