Rock Redemption #3: Rock Revenge Trilogy, page 9
The small room at the far end of the hall had an actual door. The tiny window didn’t afford much of a view, but then her heart-shaped face devoid of makeup was right there.
So close.
All he had to do was open the door.
God, right there, she was okay.
Simon ran a shaking hand through his hair and the whole room went dark.
“Okay. Here we go.” Nick grabbed him by the arm and hauled him to the small alcove right near the door. “Okay. Breathe, man.”
Simon gripped Nick’s forearm and sagged against the wall. His knees gave out and he almost went down. “I can’t. What if… She—”
“Hey now. She’s good. She’s stronger than any of us. Okay, maybe as strong as Li. But she’s certainly stronger than us two idiots.”
“Jesus, I brought this down on her. My mother. My fucking family.” Simon bent at the waist and stared at his feet as the black dots crowded in on him. “God, I almost lost her.”
“But you didn’t.” Nick crouched down next to him. “You didn’t. She’s here and she’s fine.” He gripped his shoulder—hard. “She’s fucking here and needs you.”
Simon ran a trembling hand over his face.
Nick disappeared and came back with a tiny cup of water. “Probably would do better with a fucking belt of vodka.”
“God, yes.” But he knew he’d never come out of that bottle. Not right now. He’d drown in it and he couldn’t. Could never go there again.
“Your family needs you.”
Simon looked up.
“What do you call the baby? Lemon drop?”
Simon huffed out a half-laugh. “Yes. She’s the size of a lemon right now.”
“Margo and your lemon drop need you. Your real family. They’re the important ones right now. You can fall apart later.”
Simon shook his head. “Right. You’re right.” He stood up and fisted his hands until they stopped shaking. “If I lost her... I don’t think I’d survive it.”
“You didn’t.”
“You didn’t see her face. That woman. My mother. How I could come from her…”
“We both came from absolute shit. But we’re not them. We never have been them, even at our worst. And we have these strong, capable women who make us even better. That’s where your head needs to be. Not back there in the shit. Here, for your wife and your baby.”
A lump eased in his chest. “When did you get so level-headed?”
“Sex with Li must infuse through the skin or something.”
Simon laughed. It wasn’t much of a laugh, but it wasn’t a damn sob.
“I’ll go check in and see what the big scary dude is doing out in the waiting room.”
Simon nodded. “Thanks, Nicky.”
“Nothing you wouldn’t have done for me.”
He dragged Nicky in for a hard hug. “The damn truth.” He stepped back and Nick was already turning away, scrubbing at his own eyes.
The fucking pair of them. Jesus.
He scrubbed his hands over his face and straightened his shirt, then blew out a breath before pushing through the door.
She looked so small and fragile. So very not Margo. Her shirt was ripped and dirty, her black pants dusty and streaked with something. Her face was free from makeup, making her freckles seem like a stark dusting of cinnamon on her pale face. She was laying on a gurney with an IV attached to her arm.
As soon as Margo saw him, she sat up and her eyes filled. He stalked across the room to her and hauled her into his chest. He curled his arms around her shoulders and held her as she sobbed. His heart broke and knit itself back together all at the same time.
“Ah, baby. Tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m okay,” she said against his chest.
His shirt was damp with her tears, but she was warm and real. He pressed a kiss to her dusty hair. Under the noises of the clinic, the antiseptic scent of the room, there was a hint of honeysuckle. The one thing that he’d always associate with his wife.
“Thank God. Thank God you’re okay.” His voice was little more than a husky grumble around the tears threatening to spill down his own damn cheeks.
Finally, he noticed the doctor standing just at the edge of the curtained area. Simon cleared his throat. “Sorry, Doc. I didn’t mean to just barge in.”
“It’s fine. I’ve been trying to convince Mrs. Kagan to be brought to the hospital. She’s doing well, but I don’t have the equipment here to do much more than an ultrasound.”
Simon swallowed. “And we’re all…” He couldn’t quite ask.
“The baby’s heartbeat is strong.”
Simon rested his cheek against Margo’s hair. “Can I hear it?” Margo gripped his shirt. He looked down at her. “I need to hear it.”
The doctor was older, but he gave Simon a gentle smile. “I don’t know the full story of what’s going on with her, but I do know she’s lucky to be in such good health. She was very dehydrated, but it seems she had no other injuries save for some bruising.”
Simon locked his jaw. Thank fuck.
Margo rubbed his back. “Honestly, Simon, she didn’t hurt me. None of them did. They just left me in a room alone most of the time.” She looked down, which made Simon wonder how much of that was a generalization. Right now, he just wanted to make sure she was physically okay.
He’d help her through anything else after that.
The doctor paused before he brought the machine over to Margo’s bed.
“I’m sorry, Doctor. I can’t say much, but just know we have security here to make sure nothing will be happening at your clinic.”
The doctor waved him off. “Half the time I’m not sure if a patient has a gun under his shirt. I’m not worried about that.”
Simon swallowed. “As soon as we can, we’ll have her out of here and her OB will be checking her over.”
“That makes me feel better.” He flipped on the machine and squirted the gel Simon was getting used to smelling on the little wand. “Okay, Mrs. Kagan. Lay back for me.”
Margo scrunched down on the gurney and lifted her shirt. Simon ran the back of his finger along the slight swell of her belly, then linked his fingers with Margo’s. She gave him a tremulous smile, then gasped when the cool gel hit her skin. When the baby’s fluttering heartbeat filled the room, they both laughed.
On the screen, their little lemon drop kicked. Simon closed his eyes, unashamed of the tear that seared down his cheek.
Both of them were okay. In the end, that was all that mattered.
The doctor pulled the wand away from Margo’s belly and the room went silent. “Just another second,” Simon asked in a hoarse voice.
The heartbeat filled the room again with its comforting sound. He dipped his forehead against Margo’s. “Can I take her home now?”
“I’ll get the paperwork ready.” The doctor quietly wiped Margo’s skin clean and pulled down her shirt.
Simon laid his cheek against her arm to collect himself. When he sat up, Margo’s eyes were still shut, but she was angled toward him. It was as if him just being in the room with her gave her enough permission to finally rest.
He couldn’t help wanting to shake her awake. To hear her voice and ask her questions, but she needed rest so much more than an inquisition.
He gently stroked her hair and signed whatever papers came his way for the next space of eternity. He just wanted her on that chopper and at the hospital where he knew people would take care of her. This place had become a safe haven, but it was rundown and he could feel danger pressing in from the outside.
They needed to be on their home turf.
A shadow fell across the end of the bed and he looked up to find Aidan filling the doorway. “Can we take her home now?”
“I hate to wake her, but I’d really like to get back before dark.”
“Me too.”
Simon brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Violin Girl?”
She made a sweet little moan that melted his heart. A familiar one that meant she was sleeping and didn’t want to be disturbed.
“I just need you to wake up for a little bit so we can get you in the car. Can you do that for me?”
Her big brown eyes fluttered open. “So tired.”
“I know, baby. Just a few minutes.”
She nodded and sat up. “M’kay.” She pressed her hand to his chest. “Simon… Oh, God. Jules.”
Simon’s chest ached. “We didn’t tell her. With her baby, we didn’t…” We didn’t what?
His entire focus had been Margo. He couldn’t even feel shame about it.
The doctor came in behind Aidan and unwrapped the IV, ending the conversation. “I’d like you to keep this going if you can.”
Aidan nodded. “I’ve got a medic for the chopper. One of my guys arrived just after we did.”
Simon breathed a sigh of relief. At least there would be one person on the chopper with some medical background, just in case.
Things started rolling after that. Nick was hovering outside, looking around the back bay entrance. Relief smoothed his face when he caught sight of them.
Nick quickly opened the car door for them and Simon helped Margo into the car, scooting her into the middle so she could lean on him. He hung the IV on the little suit hook near the window. Margo instantly turned into him and burrowed into his chest.
Aidan and the medic got in front, and Nick got in on the other side of Margo. He gave her as much space as possible, but the three of them were on the tall side.
Silence reigned, but it was necessary so his girl could rest.
If she could.
Another endless ride. There was traffic, and Nick was twitchy because of the less than safe situation they were in. Not because of Simon’s mother, but they both knew the vibe of an unsafe area. For too many years, they’d lived on streets just like this. Desperate people and hopeless situations made for a very bad brew.
Margo was too restless to settle, so Simon did the only thing he knew how to do. He sang. His voice was soft and low. A song he’d heard that he couldn’t quite get out of his mind.
He sang about the hope of love and a possible larger message. The song was wide open for interpretation. But she’d always been Simon’s guiding light and the song suited her right now. Even tired and broken, she was a survivor.
Her and their lemon drop.
And they were going home.
Ten
I’d never been good at picking my moment.
From the state of things, I hadn’t been good at picking much.
Except for one shining exception.
I turned my head to where Zoe was tucked into the corner of the hospital couch, her head resting on her folded sweater. I didn’t want to leave her alone for even a moment, but the waiting room was full of Ripper Records people and she would be safe.
We’d been waiting forever—hours, but it felt eternal—for Simon, Margo, and Nick to fly in. The richie rich hospital had a helipad which made the ultra luxe mode of transportation a bit on the divine side. Lila had recently escaped to track down her husband and make sure the transition moved swiftly and smoothly.
But now everyone was present and the time had come.
If I waited any longer, I’d probably miss my chance. As it was, I’d have to work at slipping in without being caught.
All I needed was a few minutes. It wasn’t enough, but I would make do.
Lila and Nick were leaning against each other a few feet away. Lila looked paler and more drawn than I could’ve ever imagined. That was what love and worry did to a person. I understood, because I felt as if I’d been ripped apart inside and fit back together in all the wrong ways.
I was an outsider in this world. New and untrustworthy for valid reasons. Their worst impressions of me had been borne out. My feelings weren’t as important as theirs, even if I couldn’t take a full breath or even close my eyes without reliving the horror Margo must’ve gone through.
But this wasn’t about me. Not now. Not anymore. It was about me making things right.
When everyone was sufficiently turned away from us and not paying me and Zoe any mind, I simply walked away. I was skilled at getting away undetected. After all, I’d been sneaking around in some form or another all my life.
I found Margo’s room and approached it as if my footsteps were akin to the ticking of a bomb. I moved carefully. Slowly. My throat went tight as I stepped to the door and glimpsed Simon through the skinny pane of glass. He wouldn’t be leaving that room until he absolutely had to, and I didn’t blame him. I would’ve been the same.
As it was, I wanted to stand guard outside Margo’s room myself.
The thought must’ve conjured Roth’s men out of the ether, because two of them strode up the hallway, their hair cut militarily short, their eyes flat and hard. “You’re not sanctioned to be here.”
No kidding. Just how was I supposed to sneak past not only my brother, but these two? At the same time, I was grateful for their presence. They would keep Margo—and my little niece or nephew—safe.
“Understood.” I gave them a quick nod and kept walking past Margo’s room to the nearest loo. Where I stayed for probably ten minutes, until I decided to test my chances again.
I heard voices as I approached, so before I reached the bend in the hallway, I took out my mobile and pretended to be occupied. A nurse hurried past, and I dropped back just in time for her not to see me. I peered around the corner at the sound of more voices, swallowing hard at the sight of my brother between the two security guards. They were walking away from Margo’s room at a fast clip, probably leading Simon somewhere—he needed security as well, since he’d been one of the targets—and another pair of guards would relieve them in a moment.
My window was narrow.
I was taking it.
I rushed up the hallway, my footsteps as soundless as possible, and didn’t dare look back as I turned the handle of Margo’s room. I expected voices to shout at me to halt, but there was silence. I slipped inside and thanked the gods above that Margo didn’t have a roommate.
Money didn’t only talk, it screamed if necessary.
The curtain around the other bed was pulled back, and Margo was resting. Her eyes were closed and she seemed about a shade darker than the sheets. Her dark hair spilled over the pillows, an inky cape. I took a step forward, then another, my throat aching with everything I wanted to say.
“You’re brave.”
I stopped still as Margo’s head swiveled toward me on the pillow.
“Yes, I knew it was you.”
“H-how?”
Her sigh was so weary that I felt it in my bones. “I knew you’d come. Hell of a way for us to meet, isn’t it? Then again, the way I met your mother was even worse.”
“I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”
“I know you are.”
“How can you know? You don’t know me. Have never seen me in the flesh, never spoken a word—”
“Come sit. You don’t have long.” She gestured toward the stool beside the bed. “I’m amazed you even got in.”
“Simon went down the hall with the guards.” I didn’t move. “Is this a trap?”
She laughed weakly. “Hate to disappoint you, but I’m not in the state to be setting traps just yet. And for what?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure I should be jailed for a number of things. Colluding with criminals. Plotting evil deeds. Coveting my brother’s life.”
“For a second, I thought you were going to say coveting your brother’s wife and I was gonna say whoa, buddy. Maybe you better stay over there.”
I didn’t expect to laugh, or for the feeling to make my chest ache as if it was cracking open. “Well, you are a vision, but I have my own love.”
“Lila’s cousin.”
I nodded. “Yes. My Zoe.”
“Lila will kill you with her bare hands if you hurt her. They’ll never find your body.”
I laughed again, sobering far too quickly. “I already have,” I said quietly. “I deserve whatever I get.”
“Stop that and sit down before your pigheaded brother comes back.”
Frowning, I did as she said and perched on the stool beside her bed. “You know he’s going to rage. He has every right to.”
“He does.”
“Why would you even want to speak to me?”
“Who said I did?”
“You said you knew I’d come—”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted to talk to you.”
When I fell silent, she smiled faintly, her deep dark eyes crinkling around the corners. Her beauty shone through even her obvious exhaustion and the hint of bruising around her temple and jaw. “I suppose I wanted to talk to you too. You’ve been in Simon’s life too long without us knowing each other.”
“I’ve barely been in his life any time at all.”
“Feels like a lifetime though, doesn’t it?”
“It has been for me.” I spread out my hands and stared at them in the low light as if I barely recognized the webs of lines and ridges of calluses. Everything felt strange. Surreal. “I’ve known of my brother since I was a small boy. I used to dream he’d come save me.”
Jesus, why had I said that? The woman offers me a crumb of understanding, so I just rip open a vein?
I never learned.
Never, ever would.
“He never knew about you.”
“I know that now.”
“Ian, look at me.”
I looked, though it hurt. Because this conversation was the closest I’d ever gotten to something real and tangible with my brother, and I wasn’t ready. Maybe I never would be. Especially when that connection came in the guise of a woman with kind eyes.
“You don’t hate me,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
She shook her head. “No. I don’t hate you.”
“But you should. Don’t you know what I did? Maybe they didn’t tell you.” I whisked my thumbs under my eyes. If I caught the tears before they fell, they didn’t count. I wasn’t shaming myself again with all I couldn’t hold inside.
Be a man, Ian. Is that so impossible for you? You’re not a child anymore.
