“Do you know how long Sophie will be in the hospital for?” I ask.
“I’ll see how she’s progressing, but most likely she’ll be in here tonight, and from then I just need to ensure that she no longer has any internal bleeding.”
“I’ll stay with her.” I wasn’t asking—I had to be here.
“Next time Sophie wakes, we’ll move her to a private room. Her father requested all the bells and whistles.”
“I’m not surprised.” But I’m grateful that she’ll have the best care and most comfortable space to make her stay easier.
Milly turns to Reaper. “We can’t have all of you see her.”
“The women and Viper can go. We’ll wait out here,” he answers.
The men turn and sit back down in the seats while the women follow me to Sophie’s room. After the curtain is pulled back, there’s audible gasps.
Droplets trickle down Zara’s face as she stands by Sophie’s bedside and brushes her hair to the side. “I didn’t expect her to look…” I know this can’t be easy for Zara, knowing what she’s been through.
“Milly, can I have a vase for the flowers?” Elena asks quietly.
Zara puts a black bag on the ground by the bedside table. “I packed her toiletry bag with her toothbrush, hairbrush, makeup, and all the rest of the things she’ll need. I packed pajamas and some clothes as well. I knew she wouldn’t be happy with using the hospital stuff.”
The corner of my lip twitches. That’s Sophie. “Yes, you’re right about that.”
“There you go,” Milly says, handing Elena a clear vase. Elena puts the flowers in the vase and sets it on the other bedside table.
I press a kiss on the top of Sophie’s head, then I take a seat beside her.
“All of you go home. It’s okay, I can call if anything changes.”
“No.” Zara’s voice is blunt. “Everyone can go if they need to, Knox and I will be in the waiting room.”
“Okay,” I reply, knowing I won’t persuade Zara. Sophie’s like family to her. It’s been a pleasure to watch all the women come into their own. How they have all grown and become confident compared to the first time I saw them.
Not long after the women leave, Sophie barely opens one eye. The other still grimly closed from the swelling. “Hey,” I say. I stand and lean over to kiss her gently on the lips.
“Hey,” she says, her voice still croaky.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my tone brittle. “It’s my fault.”
She puts her hand over mine. “It’s not.”
I run my other hand through my hair. “I shouldn’t have left you, and I should have said something to Candy before she left the clubhouse.”
Sophie’s eye flares. “How did you know it was her? I didn’t tell the police.”
Of course she didn’t—she protected the club. “When I found the group, Candy was with them. Why didn’t you tell the police?”
“They would have told my dad. I didn’t want any more tension between you and him. He was already causing enough problems.”
I blow out a long, drawn-out breath. “He’ll find out. It’s only a matter of time.”
“I don’t blame you. It wasn’t your fault.” It doesn’t minimize the guilt.
A different nurse walks in and smiles at Sophie. “You’re awake.” Then she looks at me, giving me the once-over. “The other nurses were right… you are handsome.”
Sophie lets out a small chuckle, and my chest loosens at seeing the smile on her face.
The nurse goes ahead, performing tests and looking at monitors, and then glances back at Sophie. “How are you feeling?”
