by Xander Hades
***
“Mister Handleman!” An unfamiliar voice was calling out my name.”Mr. Handleman. Jake. Jake Handleman. Can you hear me?”
All I could do was nod. The adrenaline was subsiding, and something about the voice told me to trust it. I knew immediately it wasn’t Mack, or any of the guys from the clubs. Finally my eyes were beginning to adjust and I took a moment to observe my surroundings. I willed myself to calm down, focusing all my energy on tying things together.
White walls, white floors, and bright lights overhead.
I looked down and saw that I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by hospital staff. How ridiculous I must have looked trying to fight them, thinking I was being attacked by unknown assailants. ”What the fuck had happened,” I thought. “How in the hell did I end up here?”
My eyes darted around until they landed on what could only be described as an angel. Glowing under the harsh hospital lights, Dana stood out like a creature only the heavens could create. Tears were running down her cheeks, and I wanted so desperately to hold her and wipe away her pain. I took comfort in seeing that she was safe, but I couldn’t bear to see her in pain. I couldn’t remember what brought us to this moment, but I knew once I looked into Dana’s eyes that it had been a hell of a journey. Her eyes screamed heartbreak and the deep, dark circles gave away how truly exhausted she was. I could see from her face that she had stayed awake all night with me, and my heart felt like it was going to burst with both love and sorrow.
As reality came crashing down on me, I took a deep breath and tried to speak.
“Wh—What happened?”
“Sir, you’ve been in a coma after being shot,” the nurse said. “You were brought in yesterday. We have just been waiting for you to wake up. I know this is a lot to take in, but I’m going to need you to lay down and let us do our job. We have to get you settled, you’ve pulled out all of your tubes and your IV.”
Shot? When? Who?
I had so many questions but I knew now wasn’t the time. I laid my head back down and allowed the nurses and doctors to get to work.
***
After the doctor double-checked all of my vitals, I was finally allowed a moment alone with Dana. She didn’t leave my side not even once, and I wondered how long she had been sitting and waiting for me to come back to life. I had never seen her look so unhappy and exhausted before, and I felt sick to my stomach that I had been the cause of her pain.
As I gripped her hand tightly, she filled me in on everything that had happened. Patiently she let me ask every question I had, and she tried her best to answer it with what knowledge she had. To some degree, she was just as lost as I was, but together we tried to fill in all the pieces of the mystery.
Learning that Mack had made an attempt on my life filled me with a terrible rage. I vowed to even the score one day. Unfortunately for him I had survived, and I wouldn’t rest until he got what he deserved.
“You scared me,” Dana said, lightly hitting me in the arm. “Don’t you ever do that again.” She attempted a smile, but it was still a bit early for that. I could tell she was relieved, but what she had gone through wasn’t going to escape her mind that quickly, and it would be awhile before Dana was back to her light-hearted self. The fact that she was trying meant more to me than she could possibly know, and I tried my best to keep the mood as light as possible.
I chuckled and stared at my beautiful woman. “I’ll try my best not to take a bullet to the back in the future, Dana.”
Dana pouted. She smiled.
“It’s a miracle you’re alive,” she sighed “I was terrified I was going to lose you forever. When Tina got the call, I imagined the worst. And then getting here was another issue in itself. It’s been the longest night of my life, and I haven’t relaxed in what feels like a lifetime. You almost left me, Jake, the one thing I never thought you would do.”
“So long as I have you, I will always have a reason to come back,” I said. “You never have to worry about that.”
Our moment was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It was Billy, poking his head in.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Billy began, “but you and I need to talk.”
Dana looked at me and I nodded, letting her know that I could handle myself. She knew that this was club business, and she stood up, gesturing for Billy to enter.
“I’ll be right down the hall…” Dana said, before kissing me softly and then exiting.
***
“Fuck, man, you had me worried.” Billy spat out before throwing himself down into a chair beside me. “Don’t you ever fucking go and do some shit like that again.”
I laughed and nodded. Why was everyone acting like I had gone out of my way to get shot? Last time I checked I didn’t have a death wish! “Like I told Dana, I’ll try my best to avoid bullets from now on.”
Billy’s face was dark and serious, but then he smiled.
“You sonofabitch,” he laughed, “if you hadn’t woken up I would have shot you myself!”
As nice as it was having a brotherly moment, I knew there were deeper reasons as to why Billy was here. “I know what you’re going to say…” I began, but Billy cut me off.
“No, I don’t think you know at all. You think I’m going to give you some bullshit lecture about how this girl ain’t nothin’ but trouble and look at what you gone did.” Billy looked at me with nothing but seriousness in his eyes. “Well I’ve got news for you, I might be one old fucking biker, but I’m not a monster. You almost paid with your goddamn life tonight.”
“For Dana, that’s a price I’m willing to pay. I’d do anything for her. Nothing is going to separate us except death.”
“Well, ain’t that the stupidest shit,” Billy said, adding a dramatic roll of the eyes. “I’m sure she’d love it if you were dead, lot of good that’d do her!”
“Look, brother,” I said, “you get my point. I’m not giving this girl up, and if that means I lose my place in the Flaming Dragons then that’s the price I’ll have to pay. I love you all like family, you gave me a place to belong, but family doesn’t force each other to give up the thing that makes them happiest. I’m going to marry that woman, and you can either be by my side or out of my way completely.”
Billy didn’t speak, and I was worried that this might end in a goodbye. As much as I talked a good talk, in my heart I was bonded to the Flaming Dragons and I knew it would hurt me to lose them. I didn’t have a plan on how I would combine my two worlds, I simply knew that I had no choice but to try. I needed my family and my future wife to live together, and somehow that was going to happen.
Billy let out a long sigh before finally speaking. “Goddamn, Jake, you know I ain’t gonna let you just walk away from the club. You’re needed, man, and more importantly, you’re my brother. You done made a right mess of things, but families work together. So let’s figure this shit out so that your little miss isn’t the cause of anymore damn headaches for me.”
Billy’s words resonated with me. I reached over and grabbed him. We had never been the sensitive type, but some moments call for a brotherly hug. As he patted my back, I knew that I had my brother by my side. Ride or die. The next step was figuring out what to do about that snake Mack, and his bitch of a sidekick Tom.
“It’s time we hunt those fuckers down once and for all,” I exclaimed, trying to push myself out of bed.
“Take it easy there, bud,” Billy said, shaking his head. “You ain’t in any shape to be getting outta this bed any time soon. You are right about one thing, though. The hunt is on, and I’m going to personally make sure that those two rats are dealt with properly.”
With that, Billy rose from his chair and gave my arm a final pat.
“I’ll send your missy in here to tend to you. Rest, brother, I’ll take it from here.”
As Billy left the room, I couldn’t help but smile. It shouldn’t have taken me being shot for us to agree on the situation, but I’d take it. I wasn’t sure how Billy was
going to fix things, but if anyone could it would be him. He might not be the most diplomatic biker on the planet, but he sure as hell is the most persuasive. One look at Billy’s mean mug and most grown men backed right down.
So much had happened in such a short time, and all at once the exhaustion from it all hit me. My eyes felt like lead weights. I wanted to wait for Dana, but sleep was slamming eyelids down. Letting my eyes close, I fell asleep to a steady, rhythmic sound.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Chapter Seventeen
Dana
As I came back into the room, I noticed the heavy rise and fall of Jake’s chest. Seeing him alive and breathing made my heart flutter, and I couldn’t fully accept that at least for now our nightmare was on pause. He had fought with the nurses about taking his medicine, and it took me putting my foot down before he actually agreed. I knew that he needed to sleep, but he insisted that he wasn’t tired and what he needed was to stay awake with me. I shook my head and softly chuckled, thinking of how stubborn this man could be. Argue as he might, the nurse and I had won out and he had swallowed his pills begrudgingly. Finally, his medicine had started to kick in, and the rest he so desperately needed had finally come. I didn’t want to bother him, but after what happened, I needed to at least be nearby. I sat down beside him and just watched his face as he slept. I noticed every wrinkle and line, every curve and crease that made up his face. How this stunning man fell for me was a mystery, and I smiled to myself as I thought about the first time I saw him in that bar. If Mitch hadn’t been called away, if Jake hadn’t winked, if I hadn’t winked, where would I be today? I thanked the universe for putting everything in motion, even if there had been some roadblocks and hurdles along the way. Anything worth loving is worth fighting for, I reminded myself, and decided it was best to focus on the positives right now.
Jake started to murmur in his sleep, and I was worried that he would wake himself. His body desperately needed time to heal, and resting was the only way that was going to happen. I decided that maybe the warmth of my body would soothe his dreams, so I stood up and delicately moved the blankets aside, giving me enough space to slip underneath. This clearly was not a bed designed for two, but I angled my slight frame so that it fit perfectly into Jake’s nook. Our bodies fit together like two jigsaw pieces, and I instantly felt his breathing relax. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck, and I gently pulled one of his arms around me. I silently prayed that he wouldn’t wake up, and I knew I was playing a risky game by moving him. But I had spent the better part of the last few days separated from him, and now all I needed was to be in his arms. Nothing in this world had the ability to calm me as quickly as Jake did, and even being deeply asleep his simple presence comforted me. I snuggled in delicately, trying to match up our bodies without jolting him awake.
Jake instinctively moved his body so that he was spooned perfectly around me. His breathing deepened, and I let my breath fall in sync with his. I focused on the sound of him breathing, letting my stress melt away for the first time in what felt like ages. Knowing my Jake was safe helped erase all of my fears, and I knew that we could conquer the world so long as we had each other. As he continued to sleep, I allowed myself to close my eyes. I wanted to stay awake and watch over this man, the warrior in me wanted to protect him. But I knew that right outside the door stood an army, and no one was going to be penetrating their barricade tonight. I hated to admit it, but at the moment I was thankful for the Flaming Dragons. They may have tried to pull Jake and I apart, but they had his back when he was at his most vulnerable moment. With Mitch back in his bed, and Tina tending to him, I knew that for right now there was nothing left for me to do. A final sigh and let myself join Jake, taking a well-deserved rest.
***
I awoke to the feeling of light kisses on my neck. Jake was smiling.
“Well good morning to you, sleepy head” Jake purred. “You clearly got some beauty rest, because you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”
His words made me blush, and I ran my hand through my hair trying to tame it so that I didn’t look like a crazy mess. Jake grabbed my hand and stopped me.
“Don’t go messing up that sexy bed hair. I love when you look wild and untamed, reminds me of how you look when you’re pouncing on me!”
I playfully slapped at Jake, and grasped my wrist, pushing my arm flat against my chest.
“Do I need to restrain you, Dana Doll?” Jake teased “Because you know that I’m more than happy to.”
Our lips locked, and my hands raked through his hair, pulling him closer against me. I began to cry as the sensation of having him in my arms finally hit home how close I had come to losing him. This was my soulmate, and I knew that our future together had almost been extinguished.
Jake wiped away my tears and looked at me with such love that I couldn’t help but have my tears well up again. I vowed to myself that I would make a beautiful life with this man, and that nothing would ever stop us. I wanted to live my life enjoying every moment with Jake. I could picture us with children, with grandchildren, and simply growing old together in each other’s arms.
Jake held me close and softly kissed my head over and over, while I buried my face in his warm chest. This man may not be perfect, but I knew he was absolutely perfect for me and I was never letting him go. I knew the feeling of having him ripped from me, and there was no way I was ever going to let that happen again. This man was going to commit to me until death do us part, and if I had my way death would never come. I knew that was unrealistic, but in this place reality didn’t matter and I just wanted to focus on the forever that lay ahead for Jake and I.
“Dana, before we have to return to life and face what is outside those doors, I need to ask you one thing.”
“What? I’ll do anything that you ask, just say what you need.”
“Make me the happiest man alive, and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh Jake, I thought you’d never ask!”
I gave Jake my answer and beamed as I thought about becoming his wife. Deep down, I had known from our very first glance that this was how it was going to end for us, and to have it settled out loud filled my heart with complete and utter joy.
Chapter Eighteen
Jake
As happy as I was about my engagement to Dana, I knew that my troubles were not over yet. I was stuck in this hospital for God knows how long, and Mack and Tom were still on the loose. I knew that I was in no shape to go anywhere, but not being involved was excruciating. I tapped my fingers on the railings of my bed before flexing my arms and stretching my body. Every muscle felt tight and sore, and I cringed as pain shot up through my back. I still couldn’t believe Mack had actually shot me. It was one thing to dislike a club member, but to actually attempt to murder them…well that would not be tolerated.
Dana had fallen asleep, and was curled up so delicately by my side. This bed was certainly not built for two, and I was feeling a bit cramped. I decided I need to get up and move a bit, but I was unsure if my legs were steady enough to support my weight. One single bullet had wreaked havoc on my body, and my energy levels were next to non-existent. As slowly as I could, I inched myself away from Dana and moved my legs to the edge of the bed. Heaving myself up, I steadied myself with a hand on the wall, patiently waiting for the dizziness to subside. Nausea overtook, and I was retching into the floor. What a fucking mess I was, I thought. What kind of a grown man vomits onto his own feet? I slowly sat myself back down and groaned. I felt weak and pathetic, and I prayed Dana didn’t wake up and see me in this sad state. I wanted her to always view me as her protector, and there was no way she would respect this mess of a man.
I looked over and watched Dana sleeping so soundly. I felt a pang in my heart. Somehow we were going to turn this mess into a positive thing, it just was going to take longer than I wanted.
Dana stirred slightly and I held my breath, not wanting her to wa
ke up quite yet. Right now, she needed as much sleep as she could get, and I wasn’t going to let anything disturb her.
I attempted to stand once more. Breathing slowly, I took my time and delicately rose from the bed. The dizziness returned, but I focused on my goal and breathed through it. Ever so slightly it started to subside, and I kept at it until I was feeling steadier. I grinned onto my IV pole, inching myself towards the door. Dana might need rest now, but I craved something completely opposite. I knew Billy was still at the hospital, and he would have the answers I needed. No matter what the doctor said, there was no chance I was going to sit idly by while my attempted killer was running wild. Like hell I was going to give him the opportunity to do any more damage, and I couldn’t be certain of Dana’s safety until he was officially apprehended. I knew Billy was going to try to fight me on this one, and I needed to appear like I was able to fight.
I looked down at my vomit-splattered gown and my shaking legs and sighed. How was I going to pull myself together enough to get out there?
As I shuffled my way slowly down the hallway, I heard someone call my name. I paused for a moment before slowly shuffling to turn myself around. There was Mitch, on his wheelchair, staring at me. I shook my head and mentally prepared myself for the verbal ass-kicking I knew I was about to receive.
