“How dare you? How fucking dare you?”
His hands went to her neck, but she kicked him once more, this time right in the junk again.
And then, she was falling, and she hadn’t seen the flash of silver until it was too late.
A searing pain slid up her side, and she gasped, blinking as tears filled her eyes. She looked down at her side, as blood gushed from a wound. She put her hands over the cut as she fell fully to the floor, trying to stop the bleeding. But the hot, viscous liquid seeped through her fingers, and she cried out, wondering how the hell this had happened.
She looked up at Colin, who stood there, his chest heaving as he looked down at her, a bloody pair of scissors in his hand.
“You shouldn’t have done that. We had everything. And now, you’ve ruined it.”
She had one hand outstretched, her energy fading, and as he put his booted foot over her fingers, she screamed.
“Your precious fingers. What would happen if I broke them? You would never be able to play the cello again.”
“Colin, please.”
“You had your time for begging. Now, you’re nothing.”
But then he looked at her again, tilted his head, and moved his foot.
Her hands were safe, but as her blood pooled around her, she knew she wasn’t safe.
She blinked, trying to focus, but then Colin was gone, the door left open, and she knew she needed to crawl. Needed to get to a phone. She had to do something.
Because she didn’t want to die, but as her blood rushed out of her, her hands shaking, she was afraid that she wouldn’t be strong enough.
She got to her knees and slowly crawled towards her phone, ignoring her aches and screams as each tug opened her wound even more.
Her hand slid over the cell, her blood making it hard for her to even unlock it.
And as she dialed 911 with shaky fingers, she lay there, the device next to her face, and hoped to hell she wasn’t too late.
Chapter 19
Marcus growled and hit the punching bag again. And again. And again. One jab, and then a left cross. And a right cross. Then another jab.
“Okay, I think I’m going to need a break,” Ronin said, shaking out his hands after he’d let go of the bag. Marcus shook out his own fists and frowned. “I wasn’t hitting that hard.”
“Yes. You were.” Ronin raised both brows. “You want to talk about what’s going on?”
Marcus shook his head. “Not really.”
“Well, you’re not really going to have a choice if you don’t talk soon. This isn’t like Captain America, where you’re allowed to burst those bags. We’re at a public gym.”
It was the middle of the weekend, and they were pretty much the only two people in the place, but Ronin was right. Marcus shouldn’t be breaking shit.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said after a moment.
“You’re going to have to. Mostly because I don’t think it’s healthy for you to bottle it all up.”
Marcus looked pointedly at Ronin, who gave a shrug.
“I know I’m a hypocrite. However, we’re not talking about me. You’re the one going through a crisis. And I have a feeling it has to do with Bristol because you’re all growly and you turned off your damn phone. You never turn off your phone in case your family or she needs you.”
“Come on. I’ve had enough. I’m done. Or I guess I will actually break something if I keep going like this.”
“Good. Well, we’ll get a beer or something. I don’t know. Anything to get your mind off whatever the fuck is going on.”
One of the older men next to them narrowed his eyes at Ronin’s language, but Marcus just rolled his eyes. He was a little tired of having to defend himself when he really didn’t have a defense. And cursing when they were at a gym was something the guy would have to deal with. Plus, it wasn’t like Ronin had screamed it or anything.
“Yeah, I could use a beer. Or something stronger.”
Ronin’s brows rose.
“Well, that’s not good. You don’t usually drink the hard stuff.”
“I can start now.”
“Is it Bristol?”
They were in the locker room now, changing, and Marcus sighed. “I think it’s over.”
Ronin cursed. “Over-over?”
“I don’t know what we’re going to be able to get back to, but yeah, I ended it.”
Ronin was quiet for long enough that Marcus was afraid the other man had left.
He turned.
“You’re the one who ended it?”
Marcus nodded. "Yeah. I had to. It was inevitable."
“Are you an idiot?” Ronin asked.
“That’s not very helpful.” His gut ached, and he felt like he hadn't slept in years, but hell, hearing Ronin agreeing with him about his stupid choices wasn't what he wanted to hear.
“No, I guess it’s not very helpful. I thought you loved her. What happened?”
Marcus shrugged. “Long story.”
“You can tell me that story later after we get back from the hospital,” a voice said from behind them, and Marcus turned on his heel to see Aaron standing there, a glower on his face.
“Hospital? What do you mean?” tension gripped him, and Marcus moved forward.
“Maybe you need to turn on your fucking phone.”
Marcus had never seen Aaron look like he did right now. Seriously, Aaron was the easiest-going and most laid-back guy Marcus knew. Right then, though, it looked like he wanted to rip the roof off the building, or Marcus’s head right from his body.
“What’s going on?” Marcus asked, pulling his shirt over his head and then putting on his shoes.
“That asshole attacked Bristol. She’s in the hospital.” Aaron swallowed hard, his hands shaking as he fisted them at his sides even as Marcus's entire body seized.
Bristol.
Hospital.
My God.
Aaron continued. “We’ve got to go. Your family told me you were here. It’s the only way I found you. But I’ve wasted enough time trying to find your ass when I don’t even think you need to be there.”
“Colin? What the fuck did he do to her?”
“I don’t know all the details, but she almost bled out on her floor, and nobody was there for her. We weren’t there because we were giving her space. And you weren’t there because, apparently, you’re too good for her. So, fuck you.”
And then Aaron was gone, and Marcus was grabbing his bag, following after him.
“Shit, let me know what’s happening,” Ronin called from behind him, and Marcus nodded, leaving the other man behind.
He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything. His hands were shaking, and he swallowed hard, trying to catch his breath.
“Fuck, Jesus Christ. Is she going to be okay? She has to be okay.”
“I don’t know. Liam’s texted me updates, but they’re waiting for her to get back from surgery. Surgery. He fucking stabbed her.”
Aaron started breathing hard, and Marcus moved forward, nearly tripping over his own two feet, then put his hands on the other man’s shoulders. “Did they find Colin?” If they hadn't, he'd find the asshole himself and kill him. Right then and there. He didn't care. He'd. Kill. Him.
“Get your hands off me.” Aaron spat the words, and Marcus let his hands drop. Others were watching now, but Aaron waved them off while Marcus did the same. They let them be, and then it was only the two of them standing in a parking lot, Ronin coming in after them.
“Don’t do this,” Ronin said, putting himself between them. “Don’t start fighting. You guys are friends. Family.”
“You don’t even know us,” Aaron grumbled, but there was fear in his voice, and that’s why the man was lashing out. And Marcus let him. He deserved all of this. And more.
“I need to get to the hospital for my sister. She would want you there, even if I don’t know what the hell is going on between the two of you. My mom wants you there, so I came to find yo
u. Everyone else has their family with them, and I was the only one left that could get away. I just needed to breathe.” Aaron’s eyes went glassy, and Marcus cursed under his breath.
“Can you drive?” Marcus wasn't sure how he was reasonable at all right now, but he kept himself together for Aaron.
And for Bristol.
“Yeah, that I can. Because if I get hurt on my way to her, she’ll kick my ass.” They both laughed, but there was no feeling in it.
“I’ll follow you. I’ll get there.”
“Keep me updated,” Ronin said, and Marcus remembered that his friend was even there, making sure that he and Aaron didn’t beat the shit out of each other because there was no other outlet.
Marcus nodded and then went to his car and followed Aaron to the hospital. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that he knew he would be sore later, and he was frankly surprised that the whole wheel didn’t pop right off the column.
He found parking, a little bit away from Aaron, and made his way through the doors, and then through the maze of a hospital to where the waiting room was.
The rest of the Montgomerys were there, waiting. Even his mother and father were there, though his sisters and their husbands weren’t.
He looked at the Montgomerys, and then went straight to his mother, too chickenshit to turn and face Bristol's family.
“Mom.”
“Oh, baby, they found you. Your sisters and their husbands wanted to be here, but we didn’t let them, mostly because we knew we’d pretty much take over the place.” She let out a wobbly smile, and he hugged her tightly, taking in her scent and rubbing her back.
“Are you sure you should be in here?” His voice was soft, but he still worried about his mom. She'd been in and out of hospitals for years, and he hated the idea that she was back here.
“Being in a hospital waiting room isn’t going to bring all the memories back. I’m healthy. And if I get tired, your father will take me home. But Bristol is my little girl, too. I need her to be okay.” She squeezed his hand, even as his dad put his arm around her shoulders and helped her to sit down again.
“I’ll watch her, son. You go take care of your other family. I’ll make sure your mother’s safe.”
He met his father’s gaze and saw worry there, but also saw the strength that he knew he’d need.
He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.
Bristol had to be okay.
He moved to the chair next to where Bristol’s mom sat, and she looked up, tears streaming down her face.
“My daughter is so strong, and I’m glad that you’re here. We couldn’t get ahold of you. We were worried.”
He lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I had my phone off. Never again.”
Bristol’s father stood up and squeezed his shoulder. “It’s okay. It happens. We knew Aaron would find you.” He looked over at his son. “Right?”
“Right. I found him. Any news on Bristol?”
“We’re waiting to hear from the doctor. She should be out of surgery soon.” Marcus looked over at Ethan, who had spoken, the other man’s gaze on the clock. Lincoln and Holland sat on either side of him, their hands clutching his. They didn’t speak, but they leaned into Ethan as if giving him their combined strength.
Madison was at Lincoln’s side, her hand in his other, squeezing tightly.
Marcus knew that Madison and Bristol had started to become close over time, and the fact that Madison was here only reminded him how much Bristol had waiting for her.
She had to be okay.
He kept repeating that mantra as if he could will it to happen.
“What happened?” Marcus asked and looked at the doorway as another person walked in.
“That’s my question, as well,” Zia asked, her purple hair pulled back from her face in a messy bun. She was pale, her ink stark against her skin, and Mrs. Montgomery stood up and went over to Bristol’s ex, holding her close.
“I’m glad you’re here, darling. All of Bristol’s family’s here now. That’s good.”
“What happened?” Zia asked again, and Marcus looked at Liam, saw the other man’s jaw tighten.
“We don't know much. Colin got into her home and attacked her. We don’t know what happened, but Bristol fought back. Colin has scratch marks on his face and a broken nose and a few bruises.”
His girl fought back. Of course, she did. Only she shouldn't have had to in the first place. Marcus should have been there. “They got the bastard?”
“Yeah, he was sitting in his fucking car in her driveway, muttering to himself, trying to clean up the blood when the police came.” Liam spit out a curse, and Marcus let out a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
“Who called the cops?”
“She did,” Arden said softly. “The girls and I were just there, checking up on her after…” She moved her gaze from him, and Marcus cursed.
“Checking up on her after me,” he said softly.
Arden looked reluctant to answer but finally nodded. “Yes, but she was okay. I guess he came after we left. And he didn’t leave. I don’t know what’s going to happen to him, but the cops have him now.”
“But he hurt her pretty badly,” Liam said softly.
“What did he do?” Marcus asked, his voice low.
“He attacked her, hit her, and then stabbed her with some scissors.”
“Fuck,” Marcus whispered.
“Bristol told the cops everything when they got there. That’s how we know what we do.”
“And she was awake then?” Marcus asked.
“Yeah, and then she passed out because of blood loss or shock or something,” Arden said. “I don’t know. I’ve been in hospitals enough, you’d think I’d know everything, but I don’t.”
“Are your brothers coming?” Marcus asked suddenly, remembering that Arden’s brothers were constantly in the hospital with her, the protective Brady brothers who were always there.
“I had to warn them off. But they may take turns if somebody needs a rest.”
She was looking at her future in-laws, and Marcus understood.
Her siblings would ensure that Bristol’s parents got to rest, probably the same as his family.
Bristol’s siblings would be there, as would Marcus. Because he needed to make sure she was okay.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Liam asked, his voice low. Everyone quieted, and Marcus’s shoulders tightened.
“Yeah. You can.”
After all, he deserved the fist to his face if that’s how this ended up.
“Liam,” his father said, his voice a barked order.
“It’s fine. Only talking. Promise.”
Aaron and Ethan both stood up, but Liam raised his hand.
“Just me for now.”
Marcus’s parents looked at him, and he shook his head.
“I’ll be right back.” And then he followed Liam out the door, leaving the others behind.
“I’m not going to hit you,” Liam said.
“I deserve it.”
“I don’t know what happened between you and my sister, but Arden said that it’s a communication issue. So, I’m going to believe that. Believe you’re going to fix this. I don’t care what you fucking need to do. But you will fix this.” He held out a fisted hand, and Marcus flinched. “I said I wasn’t going to hit you. Take it.” Marcus held out his palm, and then Liam dropped Bristol’s engagement ring in it.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. Arden did tell me a little bit. About the promise. About how you two were trying to figure things out. I don’t care. I really don’t. But you can and will fix this because no one’s blaming you for what happened. So, you don’t get to do that either.”
“If I had been there, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Bullshit. If any of us had been there, this wouldn’t have happened. But we can’t be there in each other’s lives twenty-four hours a day. Colin is the one to blame for this. No matter what happen
s, this was Colin’s fault. But when she wakes up and when she’s better? You need to be her best friend again. Because you are the best thing that’s ever happened to her, so don’t fuck this up.”
“I don’t know. I just need her to be healthy first.”
“Damn straight. But that ring in your hand? That’s a promise that means something. You gave it to her, figure out what exactly that means, and remember that you’re part of this family, too. Don’t fuck it up.”
And then Liam left him alone, and Marcus stood there, wondering what the hell he was going to do.
“Come on inside,” Aaron said from the door.
“Is she okay?” Marcus asked, turning on his heel.
“I think the doctor’s going to come out soon. They’re all moving around out there. I don’t want you to miss anything.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah, I’m going to just keep on cursing right along with you. I need my baby sister to be safe.”
“I thought you were the baby,” Marcus said, trying to laugh, using the old joke, but there was nothing funny about it.
“She’s still our baby sister,” Aaron warned and then walked back into the room, Marcus on his heels.
They waited for another thirty minutes, and then the doctor was there, letting them know that Bristol would be fine, that she’d wake soon. She’d lost a lot of blood but would recover fully.
Marcus’s knees went weak, and he almost threw up, but then the others were talking, tears flowing.
Once she got moved to a different room, others would visit her. They would make sure she was safe, but Marcus knew he couldn’t see her. Not yet.
Because if he saw her without that vivid life in her eyes, on her face, he didn’t know what he’d do.
And before he spoke to her, before he could apologize, he needed to figure out exactly how to fix things between them.
Because he had nearly lost her, in more ways than one. He had almost lost the light and love of his life.
Embraced in Ink: A Montgomery Ink: Boulder Novel Page 18
