“First Star you see tonight,” I said, finishing the little joke he always used to say to me. He chuckled and came over, wrapping his arms around me and giving me one of the big bear hugs he always gave. I welcomed the warmth of it, needing it. It almost made all that was hurting right now seem better.
“What's going on with ya, baby girl? Ky said she saw you in the hallway with Eli. Things didn't look too good. You okay?”
“Uncle…” I stopped and looked up at him. I had no idea what I should call him now. He’d been Uncle Free my whole life. “So...I found out you're my dad. Should I call you Dad…? But, then I feel like maybe I'm taking you away from Kyanne because she has known you as Dad for twenty-five years…”
“Starla, you call me whatever you want to call me. I can be Uncle, Pops or whatever you want. I want you to be comfortable. You and I have always had a good relationship when you were young until now. Nothing has changed from that. I'm always going to be here until I’m not,” he laughed.
He used to say that to be funny. It was when I was a kid. Not so much now, especially since we thought we had really lost him. I shook my head at him.
He smirked. “Too soon? Okay, I know, I know. It was a scary time for everyone, but I hope we don't have to face those things anymore. We have the Guardians. We have this family. We're going to fight whatever forces come our way. We will deal with the Dogs accordingly. What I want to know is, what is going on with you and Eli? Why are you upset? Is he part of the Dogs? Did he hurt you?”
“Whoa, one question at a time.” I held up a hand. “I don't think he is part of the Hellhounds. He doesn't like what they stand for. He's kind of like Ky. He saw what his father was doing when we were growing up. He doesn't even own a bike anymore; he refuses.”
Free nodded.
“It's just tonight... I did something, and I know he's going to find out. I don't know what I'm going to do when he does find out. I was upset because I wanted him to stay with me tonight. He’s been there while I was going through all of this other stuff. He’s been at my side for a while now; no one really knew…” I glanced up and Uncle Free frowned, but I pressed on before he could say anything. “He decided to go sit vigil beside his dad, tonight.” Tears started to form in my eyes.
“What is it, Star Bright? Tell me, honey. Let me help you,” Uncle Free said, patting my knee.
“I don't know what he's going to do when he finds out I'm the reason his father is in a coma right now. He's going to find out from those damn cameras at the club. Right now the Hellhounds know one of the Guardians did it, but they don’t know it was me.”
Free’s voice lowered as he looked around to see if anyone was around. “You shot Luther?” I nodded once as he dragged a hand down his face. “Okay, okay, we are here to protect you, you know that, okay?”
Before I could respond, a sound at the door caused both of us to look over. Aunt Stella entered the room.
“What’s wrong?” Free asked, standing up. I jumped up right beside him.
“Steph is waking up,” she said. “Come on.”
Uncle Free pulled out his phone. His fingers flew over the phone screen.
“I just sent Ky and Zach a message to get back over here. Let’s go see what Stephanie has to say for herself.”
The End.
Worth the Ride
Find out what happens with Starla and Elias, Stephanie and Luther in Part Two of Author Hadley Raydeen’s contribution to the Lady Guardian Series: Worth the Ride. Coming this Winter.
Lady Guardians: Ride For Free Page 10
