Rush (Carolina Bad Boys, #5)(43)

“Did you get all that, Max?” Shy teased me as soon as Doctor Haines gave her the all clear.

“Damn right I did.” I stood next to the bed with my arms folded over my chest.

Her eyebrow arched, and she shook her head.

I began gathering Shy’s bag. “So, are you ready to check out now, baby?”

“It’s not a hotel either.” She laughed full throttle.

“I know.” Rubbing my hands over my face, I groaned. “Shi—shoot, I know. I mean are you ready to bounce out of here?”

My new choice of terms seemed to amuse her even more, and she grinned. “Definitely ready.”

While Justine helped Shy change out of the hospital gown in the bathroom, Thomas and I pretended the whole situation was not entirely awkward. It was almost a relief when an orderly brought in the wheelchair so we could get Shy out of there.

When she exited the bathroom in her own clothes, I picked her up in my arms.

“I hate these things.” Her mouth puckered while I set her down in the wheelchair.

“Hospital rules. Besides, I know how to pop wheelies.” I dropped a kiss on top of her head.

Helping wrap her hair in the scarf, I asked, “You ready to break out of here?”

“I can’t wear my prosthetics until the infection clears up and I get re-fit.”

“Okay.”

“But my shop opens in a couple weeks, and I still have a million things to–”

I pressed a fingertip to Shy’s lips. “Okay. We’ll take care of it.”

“We tried to tell her it was too soon to be taking on such a big responsibility.” Justine smiled to lessen the rebuke.

“Always so headstrong.” Thomas reached out to cup Shy’s face.

“Probably one of her best traits.” Justine squeezed Shy’s hand. “And we’ll be there to help out any way we can, of course. Max, just let us know.”

“Who’s the we who’s going to help get the store up and running?” Shy whispered as I wheeled her out into the corridor of the hospital.

The Retribution men stood up straight and center as soon as they saw Shy.

“These yahoos.” I motioned toward them.

“Oh God. They all know?” Her hands flitted down to the visible stump of her leg.

“I tried to tell them not to come, but they’re stubborn.” I squeezed her shoulders. “Just like someone else I know.”

Boomer stepped up. “Hey, Shiloh. Our buddy needed to make sure you were all right. Damn happy to see you getting out of this place.”

Tucker shook her folks’ hands then held out his huge fist to bump Shy’s.

Every man came forward, formally greeting her parents and giving their own gritty downhome blessing to my girl.

Tail saved the best—not—for last. “You know, if Handsome screws things up with you, I’ll gladly take over.” Asshole winked, once again pushing all my jealous buttons.

“Handsome?” Justine interjected.

“Max’s roadname.” Shy linked her fingers through mine. “Thank you, guys.” She dipped her head then looked up with a coy grin aimed at Tail. “And I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

All the men guffawed.

Her parents stared at us, open-mouthed.

I muttered a few foul words under my breath as we headed toward the elevators.

“Relax. I was just joking,” she said as I rolled her away.

“That’s not even funny though.”

“But you know what is?” The elevator doors slid shut behind us. “We left my parents with the MC!”

“Looks like it.” I stooped so we were eye to eye.

“I think that may have just made my day, Handsome.” She clasped me behind the neck. “That, and you being here.”





Chapter Twenty-Two


Strength and Steele





WE ONLY MADE IT a few floors down before my phone lit up.

A huge grin spread across my face when I saw the group message from Brodie. “I’M A BABY DADDY!”

“What is it? Did Ashe have the baby?” Shy tugged on my wrist.

I showed her the photo of Brodie propped up next to Ashe, both of them cuddling a blanketed bundle with a tiny round face and a rosebud mouth and a pink ribbon on the top of the knit cap.

A girl.

The messages started pinging back and forth like crazy, and I knew the maternity ward would soon be the scene of bedlam when basically an entire MC plus the MPPD made their way downtown to celebrate. Not to mention the dudes we’d left moments ago upstairs.

I wanted to see the baby, but I . . .

“You want to visit, Max?” Shy peered up at me.

“Would you mind?”

“Of course not. We’re already here.”

“Okay.” I redirected the elevator to the right floor. “Only for a minute or two.”

Brodie was stalking up and down the hallway, buzzing with energy, when we located the ward.

He practically ran toward us. “Oh, man.” He bear-hugged me before bending to give Shy a squeeze too. “She’s freakin’ beautiful. Wait ’til you see her!”

“We don’t want to impose on Ashe,” I said.

“Are you kidding me? She’s like an expert at this stuff.” He swept the door open. “She can’t wait to show off our new baby girl.”