We have a choice. Chase him or look for our family. Not much of a choice. Hell, I don't even glance at Ford to see what he's thinking. I just know we have to find Bebe, Tallulah, and Shay.
As the fucker escapes, we pull our Harleys into the parking lot. I finally park, unable to deal with the stop and go as cars exit and people run by. Following my lead, Ford leaves his Harley and begins running.
Many people are still hiding. Others are on the ground bloodied. One guy looks dead. I spot Darby kneeling next to someone. Glancing at the injured person's shoes, I know they don't belong to Bebe or Shay, so I keep running.
With the gunfire over, people move around more. Sirens drown out much of the noise, but I keep yelling. Finally, I hear my name and see Bebe waving.
The relief eases a nearly unbearable pressure in my chest. My woman is alive, and I can breathe again. Her expression is too calm for Tallulah to be seriously hurt. Yes, I can breathe a little more now.
Bebe grabs onto me like a drowning woman. "Tallulah's arm is broken."
My little girl stares up at me from near the tire, and I can't pick her up fast enough. Only when they're both in my arms, do I feel truly alive.
With Bebe limping along with me, I carry Tallulah towards the line of ambulances. Shay looks unharmed when we approach her and Ford. She hurries over to check on Bebe.
"I couldn't find you," Shay says. "People were running around, and I couldn't find anyone."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, not even a scratch."
Ford leaves us, and I see him grabbing a paramedic. The guy looks at me holding Tallulah then waves us towards an ambulance.
"Kids get special treatment," I say, sounding like a crazy person.
"I don't know where Darby and Amanda are," Shay mumbles to Bebe. "Jenn was hurt. I saw them put her in an ambulance. Lupe was going with her."
Bebe nods, but I doubt she's really listening. Her focus remains on Tallulah in my arms. The little girl is so quiet until I stick my tongue out at her. She smiles faintly then reaches out to touch my jaw.
The paramedic wants to take her, but I refuse to let her go. Instead, I rest her on the gurney, only moving out of the way when Ford yanks me from the ambulance.
"Let them take her, and we'll follow on the bikes."
I refuse to look away from where Tallulah sits tiny on a big gurney. When the paramedic checks her broken arm, she begins to cry. Bebe comforts her, but I nearly snap at the sound of my kid in pain.
"Pax," Ford says, tugging me away. "You need to focus. As long as Zombie is still out there, this shit isn't over."
Studying my brother, I need him to understand that I don't give a fuck about the club. They're grown men who chose a violent life. Tallulah is innocent, and I can't focus when she's crying.
My brother cups my face. "Zombie has lost control, and he's making a mess. Trigger is off his game now. We have the upper hand and can finish this shit and make Little Memphis safe for our families. We can only do that if you stay focused and play it cool."
I know Ford's eyes better than my own. His strength infects me, calming my panic and rage. I return to the cold enforcer who's kept us alive for so long.
"Are you good?" he asks, and I nod.
Ford tells Shay to go with Bebe to the hospital. We'll follow close behind.
Bebe watches me as the doors shut on the ambulance. The look on her face is the same as the night I retrieved her from Taz's house. On autopilot, she hides her fear behind a mask. After I kill the fuckers who set Zombie loose, Bebe will never have to wear it again.
My mind is cold as steel by the time we arrive at the hospital. I'll get Bebe and Tallulah fixed up then hide them until trouble dies down. The plan is set in my head until I enter the emergency room and realize my plans don't mean shit.
Pushed aside by agitated staff, Ford and I search for a familiar face. We find Bull first.
"Darby and Amanda are already on the run," he says when we move to a quiet corner. "They have Jenn's kids too."
"What about Jenn?" Ford asks.
"I don't know. Lucky freaked out in the waiting room, and someone finally took him back."
"Freaked out how? Screaming or crying?" I ask. "I'm looking to get in the back without pulling my weapon. So what kind of freak-out are we talking about?"
Bull's expression never changes. "I don't think it'll work twice, Homerun."
"Fine. I'll pull a gun."
"Not yet," Madden announces, appearing out of a group of people. "I know you're looking to play family men, but Dad is on his way in. He's on edge, so keep your shit in gear and play along."
Bull opens his mouth to speak then shuts it. I don't even need to turn around to know Trigger has entered the waiting room. The old man looks like he needs medical attention when he stops in front of us.
"This is bullshit," he growls.
He's too fucking upset to be worried about my woman. He isn't concerned over Jenn either. Something has him freaked though.
"Are you sure it was Zombie?" he asks Ford.
My brother is a fucking rock, showing not a hint of emotion in his dark blue eyes.
"Yeah."
"Who was he shooting at? Are you sure Manny wasn't involved?"