"I wouldn't know that. The shooters ran when they heard us coming."
"More than one?" he asks then glances at Madden to share a private look.
"Yeah, two."
His confusion clear, Trigger lacks my brother's cold exterior. He doesn't know about Wino. The fucker has lost control of his club, and he can't even ask Joker for help.
"They were likely after the same people who hit Big Dick," Madden says.
"You think?" Trigger yells at his son. "Who the fuck else?"
Madden doesn't flinch. Hell, I'd think he was deaf with how little he reacts.
"Who hit Big Dick?" Ford asks, faking mild concern like a pro.
"Drive-by," Madden says. "They took out Big Dick and Linda while they were on their way here. Took out Wino when he tried to save them." The pretty boy suddenly looks at Bull. "These gangbangers have idiots on the West Side claiming Ginger Snaps is behind the shootings."
Nodding, Bull doesn't understand why anyone is talking to him. Even I get it, and I'm not the brightest bulb in the box. Trigger is scared now. He's fucked his club, breaking it into factions. Now he has a real enemy, just as fucking crazy as him. Oh, the old man is pissing his jeans now. Seeing his old man down, Madden subtly reminds Trigger the end is coming.
"We lock down Little Memphis," Trigger growls. "Those fuckers want a war, so let's give them a war."
Trigger storms out with Madden close behind. I nearly laugh at how the old man keeps his traitor so close. He'll never see the knife in his back coming.
"You heard him," Ford whispers to Bull. "We're at war. Time for planning is over. We kill anyone not with us."
Bull nods. "Lupe has the kids, and her brother is getting them out of Little Memphis. Where do you want me?"
"Stay close to the hospital. Zombie is a threat, and he's crazy enough to show up here. We need to check on the girls before we can start hunting the fucker. Joker needs to decide how to do Trigger. Then we end this shit now."
Ford strolls over to bullshit his way past the rules and into the patient area. I stare at his back and think about how light Tallulah felt in my arms.
Ignoring the phone vibrating in my pocket, my mind remembers the blood on Bebe. Then I'm thinking about Tallulah's broken body. If the kid dies, how do I come back from losing her? Killing a million men won't fix the pain.
Thinking the call could be from Bebe, I finally look at my phone. I frown at the message as Ford returns to read it over my shoulder.
"Zombie made a mess, so I made a bigger one. Time to start burying Trigger's inner circle. Love, Ginger."
"They want to keep Tallulah overnight, and they're moving her to a room. Bebe got checked out too. We can see them before we go hunting."
"Where are they?" I say, feeling exhausted suddenly.
Ford gives Bull a nod then pulls me towards the elevators. We take it up a floor then walk for what feels like a mile. I both need to see my family and fear looking at their frightened faces again.
Stopping me before we enter the room, he sighs. "Rage feels better than fear. Keep it together for a little longer. Then we'll find you someone to destroy."
I smile at Ford. "You always know the right shit to say."
Calmed by his words, I open the door to find Tallulah in bed and Bebe sitting in a chair next to her. Shay is standing at the windows but hurries over when Ford arrives.
I pull a chair over and sit next to Tallulah. She lifts her arm to show the cast.
"Does it hurt?" I ask, kissing her little fingers.
Tallulah nods, but gives me a smile when I nibble at her pinkie. I notice Bebe relaxing, and a hint of a smile warms her face.
"I broke my arm when I was a kid. It was pretty bad, but the time Ford broke his head was worse. That's why he's so stupid, you know?"
While Ford grunts at my teasing, Tallulah is grinning now. Bebe's eyes light up more the longer I'm in the room. Seeing how much they need me, I hate to leave them.
"Why are you staying the night?" I ask Bebe.
"She hit her head, and they want to keep an eye on her overnight."
"I have a bump," Tallulah says, rubbing the back of her head.
"When Ford had his bump, I would spin a basketball on the tip."
Tallulah looks at Ford who nods. Now she's giggling.
Bebe reaches across the bed and takes my hands. Her touch feels so damn good, and the urge to stay increases.
"How are you?" I ask. "You were limping."
"I just bruised my hip. They gave me pain meds, but I don't want to take anything that'll knock me out."
Shay steps closer to the bed. "I'll stay up and keep watch when you and Tallulah sleep."
Bebe frowns before realizing what her friend is saying. She hasn't realized Ford and I need to leave. When her gaze finds mine, I know she understands.