Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
The sounds of the hammers hitting the strings are like a mating call to me. Even though I know she’s playing to the room, I hear it like it’s only meant for my ears. Her music is being played for me—just for me. The rest of the instruments fade away, and all I hear is the piano’s melody.
We listen to song after song until the lights come on, and before I know it, the performance has come to an end. The audience gives a standing ovation, applauding her and the rest, of course. I’m saddened, but I refuse to let this opportunity go to waste. “Are you going to make your introductions?”
“Of course I am.” My heart is in my throat as I prepare for a proper meeting with my future wife. We stand and move toward the backstage area, which is carefully guarded. We’re almost there when Demi pulls out her phone.
“Son of a bitch,” she hisses.
“What’s up?”
“I have ten missed calls.” I pull out my phone at the same time. Shit. We had them on silent the entire show. There are as many, if not more, from the Riders. It must be important because they knew we weren’t available. I call Boomer quickly. “Glad I got a hold of you. Sorry about killing your night out, but Asher got into an accident.”
“Is it bad?” I question, knowing it must be if they were bombarding our phones.
“They’re rushing him into surgery. We’re on our way there.” I slam my eyes shut, bracing myself for Demi’s breakdown.
“You’re not there now?” I ask, wondering where they weren’t at the hospital already.
“He wasn’t near Steeleville. He was in Dallas.”
“Oh, shit. Okay.”
“We’ll text you the information right now.”
I take a deep breath, running my hand through my hair. “Okay. We’ll be there soon.”
She has just hung up the phone with her brother, Ghost. I see Demi’s stoic face as she fights back the tears.
“Let’s head to the hospital,” I tell her.
“Don’t you want to get her information?” she asks, trying to pretend she’s not upset, but she can’t fool me. We might not be blood, but we’re family and I know she’s fucking breaking inside.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m Cyber, remember? I’ll get that information without asking for it. Let’s get to your brother so we can kick him in the ass for driving like a dumbass.” She nods, wiping away the stray tear she lets fall. Demi is one tough chick, but her brothers mean the world to her and that’s the only thing that can hurt her. After everything that happened with Ghost, if she loses Asher, I don’t know how she’ll handle it.
“Okay.” We walk out of the theater, holding it together. I slide my coat over her shoulders and lead her to the car. I pray that it’s nothing major, but the fact that he’s in surgery; it’s a big deal.
“I’m sure he’ll be good as new soon.” We drive to Dallas Metro, which doesn’t take long since it’s where they took him. I’m not sure why he wasn’t in Steeleville at the time, but that’s not my business, so Metro is the nearest hospital. The weather was a little slick today, so I’m guessing that caused the crash.
“I hope you’re right, Cyber. I can’t lose him.”
“I know, I know.” I pat her hand and give it a gentle squeeze before helping her out of the vehicle.
We’re met outside by several of the guys. Blade pulls Demi in for a hug while Boomer fills us in. “We don’t have any information yet. He’s still in surgery. He was in a serious crash with a drunk asshole. All we know is that he has a broken leg, but the rest is unknown. Doc is in there right now, getting us the information as well as getting us clearance in a special waiting room. I’ve booked rooms for us at the hotel across the street. Crystal’s already there with the kids.”
Demi and I nod. “Where’s Rico?” she asks through her sobs.
“He’s inside, waiting with Grace,” Blade answers.
“Okay. I need to find him.”
“I’ll take you inside.” Blade takes her while I stand outside with Boomer.
I take a seat on the bench outside of the hospital, trying to wrap my head around this night. “We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
“That we do.” He looks up toward the hotel across the street, where his family is set up for the night. Boomer is, first and foremost, a family man.
“Hey, was this intentional?” I question.
He whips his head back at me with concern in his big eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Who is left back in Steeleville?”
“Cowboy, Boss, Mick, Jackson, but Beast is on his way here now. Do you think someone was trying to get us out of town?” He stands, pacing instantly.
“No, but you never know. What was Asher doing out of Steeleville?” My mind is always on alert that someone is out to get us, but maybe it was just an accident.