Chapter 25

Sophie

Twenty-four hours had passed since Daryl came out of surgery. He was still unconscious, but they had him in a medically induced coma to help his body heal. That he had made it through that crucial first day had me both ecstatic and exhausted.

Sitting with him for fifteen minutes out of every hour did not leave any time for me to sleep. Only once did Sugar not wake me up and he took the whole visiting time slot. I wanted to be mad at him, but I couldn't. Daryl was his brother and Sugar was being very generous with me anyway, but I still missed seeing him. Selfish? You bet your ass I am, but I'm not going to say anything to Sugar. That would be inconsiderate and stupid of me. Not to mention he told me that I needed to get some sleep, which I of course did, but that didn't mean I wanted sleep to come before Daryl. He was my priority.

The timer went off on my phone and I looked over at Sugar. He's was out cold in a chair. His head was laid back and his mouth was slightly open. Soft snores were coming from him. Damn, that looked uncomfortable, but there isn't any place for us both to stretch out except this small sofa which he insisted I take. For a guy that scared me to death once, he's turning out to be pretty decent.

A sober Sugar is a whole lot better than a drunk one.

Anyway, it's time to visit Daryl so I quietly leave a Sugar sleeping in the waiting room that has become RDMC property and head out toward the ICU. When I see who's guarding the door, I can't help but smile. It's Brick. He's completely caught off guard as I throw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you, Brick! You are my hero," I said as I kissed his cheek.

He looked around the hall in a panic which made me laugh. "You won't get in trouble, Brick. I promise you. You're everyone's hero from how you took out that other club. You saved Daryl and the others. Not to mention you saved me all those months ago in South Sutton. Thank you so very much."

I gave him a big smile and a squeeze on his muscular arm. I left him speechless as I headed toward the ICU doors. As I waited for them to open and let me through, I heard Sugar say, "Prospect stop looking at her fine ass and go guard that door."

The doors opened up to admit me as Brick ran to stand next to them. The guys were starting to get to know who belonged there and who didn't. Anyone new went in the guard followed them and checked at the nursing station that they belonged. It was unusual to say the least, but necessary at least from the club's perspective.

When I walked into Daryl's room I saw a new nurse was taking his vitals. "HI, I'm Sophie, Daryl's wife." Damn those words were flowing easily off my tongue. "How is he doing?"

The blonde nurse smiled at me. "I'm Amanda. His BP is a little low but that's to be expected with the blood loss he had. Heart rate seems okay and I am going to check his temperature next."

I watched her swipe a small device over his forehead then look at it. I didn't like the frown on her face. I saw her reset something on the device and do it again. 'What's wrong?"

"His temperature had gone up slightly since they last took it four hours ago. It's at 99.8. We're keeping an eye out for any infection so this could be a sign. I'm going get in touch with the doctor on call right away," she told as she recorded her findings in the computer before she quickly left the room.

I knew they already had him on antibiotics, but maybe they needed to change that. I stood next to him watching his chest slowly rise and fall as he breathed. They had replaced the oxygen mask that he has on over the night with only a nasal cannula. That was progress, it was small, but I'd take every little bit I could.

"Hey, baby it's me again. They're saying you have a slight fever, so make sure you fight it. I need you to get better so you can come home with me. And speaking of home, do you think it would be possible for us to look for a place other than the clubhouse? I don't need anything fancy, but I'd like more room and privacy than what we have now. So while you are relaxing looking like you don't have a care in the world, can you think about that?" Then I leaned down and brushed his long bangs off to the side before I put my lips next to his ear. "It would give us more places to fuck too."

If anything was going to get through to him, it would be sex.

Amanda came back into the room with a small IV bag in her hand. "I spoke to the doctor and we're putting him on a stronger antibiotic. I'll be checking his temp every hour now to keep an eye out in case it spikes."

"Thank you, Amanda. I know this is part of your job, but I really appreciate it. I'm going to stay a little bit more before letting his brother Merle come in to see him."

"Can I ask you a question?" Amanda had finished hooking up the new IV and had turned her attention to me.

"Sure."

"If this is too personal, please forgive me. I know Daryl got shot because of some type of motorcycle gang war. You're not what I expected as someone part of a gang. You seem nice and normal. Are these gangs that bad?"

She reminded me of me. The old me…that needed a lesson on MC's. Now it was Amanda's turn.

"Okay, first these guys are in a motorcycle club, not a gang. I am part of the club too since I'm Daryl's ol' lady…and wife," I quickly added. "The guys were out on a midnight ride when the roads are empty and quiet." Even though I made that up, it sure sounded good. "It wasn't a war, but some people who I guess didn't like them out riding took offense and shot at them. I don't know much as I wasn't there, but these guys all are Road Devils. They work for a living. They like to ride their motorcycles and have a good time, but it's not all fun and games. They have several businesses in Angel Valley that contribute to the economy. They do charity runs to raise money for good causes and most of all they are a brotherhood…a family that they all need. Most of these guys don't have anyone left to call family. Daryl is one of the few as his brother is in the club too. I don't have any family left except my cousin who is an ol' lady to another one of the members."

Amanda was soaking up every word I said. I appreciated that she was listening to me was giving me a chance to change her mind about the club. "They really aren't bad, right?"

I smiled at her. "They aren't choir boys, that's for sure, but they aren't the bad guys too many people make them out to be. I didn't want to get involved with Daryl in the beginning because of the club. I thought a lot like you, but now I wouldn't change a thing. These guys are loyal and dedicated to everyone that is part of the MC. Not to mention…" I winked at her, "…so many of them are so good looking."

Amanda giggled. "The guy in the hallway this morning is pretty hot."

"Ah, that's Brick and he's a good friend of mine. Would you like me to introduce you?"

"You would, Sophie? That would be great."

I walked to the end of the bed. My time with Daryl was short and it always went too fast, but if I left now Sugar could have a few more minutes with him. Plus I could introduce Brick to Amanda. She was cute and I'm sure he'd appreciate the introduction. "C'mon let's go. So you don't get confused the club calls Daryl, Trax and that's how you'll hear him referred to as. His brother goes by Sugar and Brick is well Brick. They never use their birth names, except I do with Daryl."

Amanda followed me to the double electronic doors and I hit the button for them to open. I watched Brick's eyes go from me then land on Amanda. That's when the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile.

"Hey Brick, this is Trax's nurse Amanda. She saw his temp went up a little so she got the doctor right on it. She's taking good care of my guy. I just wanted to introduce you two in case you wanted to go for coffee or something." Oh, my meaning was totally clear. I was encouraging them to get together. I knew she was interested and since she was an extremely cute blonde, there was no way Brick was going to pass this up.

"Yeah, sure we could do coffee, but I'm on duty for…" Brick looks at his watch, "… another hour and a half. You good with that?" he said to Amanda. I was already an afterthought.

While they discussed when to meet up for coffee, I headed back to the waiting room and saw Sugar look up from his phone. "How our boy doing?"

"He's got a slight fever that they are treating with stronger antibiotics. I don't know when they are going to let him wake up. I just hope it's soon. I need to see that he's going to be okay."

"He will be darlin', don't you worry."

"Go visit with him. Then maybe we can go grab something to eat in the cafeteria. I'm finally hungry." I hadn't really eaten a thing since this happened. I had no desire to leave Daryl in case anything went wrong and I simply wasn't hungry at all. I certainly was now.

"Sounds good." Sugar got up and headed out the door. Apparently, Brick was still talking to Amanda. "Prospect get your eyes off her fucking tits and keep alert. You ain't here to try to get into her sweet tight pussy. Save that for your own time. Oh right," he laughed. "You don't have any of that since you're still a fucking prospect. Now Sugar Tits here will take me to my brother, won't you darling?"

I saw Amanda's eyes get big and scared. Sugar's mouth, as usual, was uncontrollable. "Amanda," I called out from the doorway. "Sugar's just an obnoxious crude idiot. Ignore him except the part about Brick needing to stay alert on watch. When he's done, I'm sure the club could give him a half-hour to himself after what he's done recently for everyone. Am I right, Sugar?"

"Damn lucky, prospect," I heard mumbled making me smile. "Let's go Sugar Tits. My brother is waiting."

Amanda flashed her badge in front of the scanner and doors swung open. "Her name is Amanda, Sugar. Use it!"

I watched him walk into the ICU with his arm around the poor girl and flipping me the bird. Before I could head back into the boring waiting room, Brick grabbed my arm.

"Hey thanks, Sophie. Amanda seems really cool."

"She is, so don't treat her like a Hellion or a bang bunny or you'll have me to answer to."

"Naw," he smiled shyly. "She don't deserve that. She's a classy girl like you are, Sophie. I won't be fucking her in any bathroom. Well, not at first anyway."

I couldn't help laughing at him. "You bikers are all the same. All you want is sex," I hesitated for a second before finishing, "and thank god for that!"

I heard Brick laugh as I headed back into the waiting room. After these rough few days, it felt good to relax. I knew Daryl would conquer this fever he had and soon he'd be back to his normal self. It was just going to take time and we had plenty of that.

Three days later, Daryl was finally out of ICU and into a regular room on the surgical floor. His fever had gotten slightly higher up that night to 100.7 but with the aggressive antibiotics they had put him on it was now back to normal and stayed there. They had taken him off the medication that kept him in the coma and now we were simply waiting for him to wake up.

The best part of him being out of ICU was that I could stay with him for hours and had spent the last full day with him. Plus, other people could visit with him too. At some point during the day today almost all of the people I know from the club have come by. Bear even gave me money to buy food in the cafeteria. I never asked him for it or asked anyone to borrow some money except for Chrissy. She must have told Diesel and he went to Bear. When I tried to refuse it he said, "The club takes care of its own." I wasn't working as Maddie had given me the time off and I didn't have access to the money Daryl kept in his safe in the closet. Even if I did have the combination, I'm not sure I would have taken any out. That was his money, not mine.

The couple hundred that Bear had given me felt good in my pocket. I would tell Daryl about it so we could repay him, but at least now I had money to buy food and gas. There was a recliner in the room that went pretty far back so that's where I slept last night. I was surprised when they didn't kick us out after visiting hours, but no one said anything about the guard outside his room nor me sleeping in the chair.

I was coming back from grabbing dinner in the cafeteria with one of the club guys following me. We were still on lockdown and I wasn't allowed to go anywhere on my own. There was always a shadow following me and as annoying as it was, it did give me a better sense of security.

Raven stopped to flirt with the nurses at the desk as I headed toward Daryl's room. I handed a bottle of Coke to Cage that I had picked up in the cafeteria. He had been standing outside of Daryl's room for hours and I knew he had to be thirsty.

I watched him open the bottle and quickly drink half of it which ended up with a loud burp. He smiled at me and I shook my head. Boys will be boys.

When I turned to take a step into the room and I noticed the curtain was closed blocking the view of the bed. I hadn't left it that way but was wondering if the nurses had done that when I heard a voice. A female voice that I didn't recognize.

Instinct told me it wasn't a nurse so before I stepped into the room, I listened.

"Please wake up, Daryl. I hate to see you this way. I know it's been a little while since we saw each other, but I want to get back to us getting together more often. It's time, babe. I'm the only one that gets you and you know that."

What the fuck?

"I'm the only one that you ever come back to. Daryl, we've known each other for years and I'm ready for more. I want to talk to you about us being more than what we are. Neither of us are getting any younger so maybe it's time to think about the future. The future for us."

Holy fucking hell! Who was this woman? Why was she talking to my Daryl like he belonged to her? He was mine and not anyone else's.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I flung the curtain open.

"Excuse me," she huffed. "I'd like some privacy please."

The woman has platinum blonde hair that hung in perfect waves down her back. Her make-up was fresh if not a bit overdone for the middle of the day. The dress she wore was skintight showing off her abundance of cleavage to everyone. Was this the type of woman Daryl used to go for?

I tried to ignore the fact that I was in the same pair of jeans for three days running and my t-shirt has seen better days. There was not an ounce of make-up on my face. This woman and I were complete opposites but I wasn't going to let that get to me. At least not when she was watching.

"Not going happen. See I don't know who you think you are, but Daryl is mine. He has been for months now, so you can leave so I can get back to sitting by his bedside as I have done every single day since he was brought in. So get gone."

Maybe I should have tried to be nice first, but my bitch mode was in overload. I was tired and impatient for him to wake up. Nice was not happening today, especially after I heard what she was said to him.

The woman stood up with a big fake smile on her face. "Sweetheart, do you know who I am?"

"Don't know and don't care. You need to get gone before I have the guys throw you out. Don't come back. Anything you think you had with Daryl is done. I'm in his life now and I'm not going anywhere."

"My name is Kat and I'm part of the RDMC family. What are you some bang bunny that thought she could hold onto a man like Daryl? Darling, that's never going happen. Why don't you run along now. When Daryl wakes up he's not going to want to see your miserable face. I'm sure of that."

I was confident in my place in Daryl's life but what confused me was who was this woman? Daryl had told me that he only had quick hook-ups with women and never had anyone long term. Why did she seem long term? And why hadn't he mentioned a Kat to me?

Even though I knew I looked like shit especially compared to her, I crossed my arms and stood my ground.

"Apparently sweetheart, you don't know who I am. You most likely won't believe me, but how about we get one of the guys to confirm it for you. Hang on just one teeny second." I turned away from Kat and yelled for Raven. Cage ran in first followed by Raven who had his hand inside his cut. That's where the guys kept their guns.

"What's going on?" the prospect asked.

"Oh shit," came from Raven. "What are you doing here Kat? And how did you get in?"

"Trax and I are friends, you know that Raven. The cute young one at the door let me in." I wanted to slap that smug smile off her face. "I am RDMC."

I watched Raven push Cage toward the door. "You, go back to the hall and don't fucking move." Then he turned back toward us running his fingers over his short black hair. "Kat, this ain't the time and place for you. You need to go."

"And she gets to stay?"

"She's his ol' lady, Kat and you're not. If she wants you gone..." he turned to look at me and I nodded my head yes, "…then you need to go."

I couldn't help but smile when she realized what Raven had said. The shock on her face was priceless. "Trax…Daryl took an ol' lady?"

Raven nodded while I stood there with a huge smile on my face. I shouldn't be happy while it looked like her world had just fallen apart but I was tired of this nonsense. Plus, I was exhausted as I had yet to leave the hospital since Daryl was brought in.

"Oh, I'm sorry. So sorry, I don't belong here then. I never thought he would do that and…I'll…I'll just go." I felt a little bad for her as she grabbed her purse while wiping away a tear. Kat put her hand in my arm as she walked up to me. "He's a really good guy and deserves the best. Just make him happy, okay?"

"I will and I'll tell him you dropped by, Kat." Yeah, my inner bitch was so not feeling bad for her.

I heard her heels click on down the hallway and knew that she was gone. "Thank you, Raven."

He gave me a chin lift before heading out of the room. I heard Cage cry out, "Ouch. What the hell was that for?"

"For letting Kat in. Brother's and the ol' ladies only prospect. Fuckup again and you'll never get that patch."

"Sorry, Raven. I know she runs the strip club. I didn't know she and Trax…"

"I didn't know about her and Trax either, Cage," I said softly looking at the unconscious man I had given my heart to. "Are you holding onto any other secrets, Daryl? I'm in a forgiving frame of mind if you wake up now. Please wake up, baby. It's time to come back to me."

I kissed him softly before getting settled in the recliner and opening my kindle. Instead of reading I started Netflix. I scrolled through show after show trying to find something that would keep me entertained. I stopped at The Walking Dead. The show had been on for years, but I had never watched it. Maybe it was time to start, so I pressed the icon for it. Episode one of the first season started and soon I was lost in the world that evolved around a zombie apocalypse.

If that ever happened, I would want no one but my Daryl at my side. I had the feeling he'd be a damn good survivor. Right?