Author's Note: Hi sorry for the delay it's been a heck of a month, work has got me working 12 hr days and weekends to get my new project out so I've had no time to post or write. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember all errors are mine.

Chapter 80

The room started to spin. I needed to breathe, or I would pass out. I had not moved from the spot I had heard Michael tell us that there was a shooting at the café and our family was involved.

My vision started to shift out of focus. Black spots started to appear before I let it take me a voice brought me back.

"CJ, breathe you need to breathe, I need you right here with me niece."

I blinked then breathed and grabbed onto his hand like a life line. Michael came next to me and grabbed my shoulders.

"I am sorry I don't have any more news, but they should be here any minute. I know there are two shooters at large and Houston and his friends shot back. You know your cowboy has 9 lives he's fine don't tell me how I know I just do."

I nodded to him, and he left me to wait for the ambulances. I looked at Uncle Roy and closed my eyes.

"He can't leave me right now Uncle Roy, we just got our act together, and we have Jake and Star to take care of. God would not be this cruel, would he? Why can't I get what I want? It's not fair."

I burst into tears the last couple of days and all the ups and downs I had endured had taken its toll. I was at the end of my rope.

Uncle Roy took me into his arms and whispered that everything was going to be alright, that his nephew would be fine, that he had too much to live for and he would not leave me.

"You two are too stubborn to die, he will be alright trust me he has too much to live for he still needs to take you out on your official first date. He wouldn't miss that for the world."

I nodded and pulled back, he handed me his handkerchief and told Chris to take me to the waiting room with Too Mean's guys.

"No, I can't. I have to be here when he gets here. What if he's hurt or worse, no Uncle Roy don't do this to me. I have to be there when he arrives. He needs to know I'm here and to fight for us."

Before he could respond the doors opened with gurneys and EMT's running in with patients. There were so many but no one from our family. I turned around and Chris's eyes grew wide. I turned to see Momma crying and holding on to Tiny's hand. Uncle Roy ran to her as she was barred from going any further. They were taking him directly to surgery. The next patient was a man that I didn't recognize. Momma yelled at the doctors that they had better take good care of him or they would have to deal with her.

I ran to the ambulance bay waiting for him. If he was injured, then…

"Oh my God, No!"

I fell to my knees. Hoyt said there were casualties and not seeing any more ambulances with patients confirmed my feelings.

"CJ! Are you okay? What happened?"

I looked up at Too Mean. He picked me up as tears ran down my cheeks. Hoyt was next to him and had his hand on the back of his neck not knowing what to do. I grab his hand.

"Where is he? Michael, you said they were on their way but only Tiny, momma and someone that must be from Luca's team came. Too Mean, please tell me is Houston dead."

He let me go. "A lot went down at the pier little sister, just give me…."

I shook my head and tried to get out of his grip. I wanted to yell at him to tell me the truth.

Hoyt turned to Too Mean, "Spill it Too Mean what went down on that pier were you involved? I'm sure you didn't sit this out nor did Houston. What happened?"

I waited for answers, but he looked at Michael and then asked if I was going to be okay.

I swallowed and nodded. He came close to my ear and whispered he would tell me all soon. He then stepped in between me and Michael and started to argue with him saying they were only doing their jobs and if he didn't like it then he could haul him into the station. The argument started to get loud. I didn't need this all I wanted was answers.

My headache was getting worse, my anxiety and my fear of not knowing if he was safe was taking its toll. I moved away. I'd find Momma. She would tell me what had happened and if he was okay. Michael saw me leaving them and got my attention.

"I'll find out what I can CJ just go back inside, find out what's going on with your friends. Too Mean and I will be having a discussion and Houston will want you to be safe and being out here is not ideal okay please go inside I'll have an officer escort you, Too Mean follow me."

Too Mean faltered and I shook my head and whispered I was okay. They walked away but I wasn't okay. The pounding in my head was getting worse. Blackness was engulfing me, and I wasn't fighting it. I started to sway as Uncle Roy walked out.

"Roy, grab a hold of her."

He yanked me up before I hit the floor. I gasped as he held me, I looked over to Momma. She was there. She had answers to all my questions.

"Momma, where's Houston? Where's Star and Devin, why aren't they here?"

She cupped my face, "Houston is fine as is Devin." She looked over my shoulder and whispered that this information was for our ears only. She led me back inside and Chris said there was no news, so we walked to the waiting room. Momma never let my hand go and we sat down, why hadn't she said Star was fine. I was about to ask when she started to tell us what had happened at the Boardwalk.

She told the story from the beginning. From Star trying to sneak out of the house to go talk to her feelers out at the pier. To the phone call between Houston, Tiny and Star, finding the bugs and Wick coming back to let Luca know what was going on and what had happened at the café.

They were not hurt, Tiny and Wick were the only ones with injuries as far as she knew there were no casualties. She started to cry.

"It was Boyd I'm not sure what Luca told you but the message at the Bar was meant for Star not you honey. He found her on the pier and that's when the shooting started. I don't understand what he wants from her. Devin promised me he'd find her as did Houston. I'm scared he got to her and there's nothing I can do. Preacher, Devin and Houston went to a place only Preacher and Star have access to. Preacher had her promise him if something happened that she would go there and wait for him. I am praying she listened to him and is there waiting for them. I didn't want to say anything in front of your friend because Boyd is a dead man. Once Luca finds out what he did to one of his men it's over. Devin will tear him apart. My boys have a dark past and once someone hurts their loved ones all bets are off. I'm not sorry and I will not disclose this to anyone. Star will be found and if he harmed her this will be his last day on earth I guarantee it."

He was safe as was Devin but Star she must be so scared right now. Why was Boyd so obsessed with Star? I needed answers, I had told her she was safe and right now I was doing a lousy job as a protector. We had made a promise to keep both of them safe and right now I wasn't doing a great job. What momma had said I believed 100 percent this would not end well for the man that manhandled, threatened and almost shot Star and had hurt our family Boyd was a dead man. He had also condemned the other shooter that was with him. I needed to get to that pier. I needed to see with my own two eyes that she was safe. I got up as did Uncle Roy.

"No, I see that look in your eyes CJ you are not leaving this hospital. Let them find her and bring her to us. Mattlock will not rest till he finds her and is safe and he has Devin with him. They might not like each other but they have respect for what each of them can do. Your job is to take care of Jake, he needs you since my nephew can't be here for him. Think logically CJ doesn't do anything that could derail what all of us have worked for. Jake is part of our family and he needs you here with him and to show him that he can depend on us to never let him down again."

I felt a tear fall down my cheek. He wiped it away. "We are all worried, he won't let you down, you know he will move heaven and earth to find her and Devin will also. Right Momma."

She got up and put her arm around me. "Devin will not stop till he finds her. He might complain and bluster about how she's always in the way but deep down he has a soft spot for her. He has a story CJ and if he lets you in his very small circle of friends you will hear it. It's why he stays and helps out those that can't help themselves. So we need to be ready for when they get here. We need to show Houston that you held down the fort while he was out saving our girl."

I nodded, they were right I had too many responsibilities now and Houston was counting on me. He didn't need me to make this worse. I had to trust that they would find her. I needed to focus on Jake, on making sure Tiny and Wick were being given the best treatment and making sure momma was okay. They had been there for me and it was time to return the favor.

"We need to call Carol and Maureen, Luca needs to know about his guy being hurt and about Tiny. Maureen needs to get that paperwork done I want to be able to take custody of Star ASAP or if not me someone else in our family we can't let her down she's counting on us and once Jake is settled and he's still on the run, I'm going to find this Boyd character and hurt him for hurting our family."

I went to the desk and asked if I could use the phone. I called Maureen first, Will answered and I gave him the short version and he said they were on their way back now and for me not to leave.

"I know you CJ you're itching to find Matt and he will have my head if you do that."

I reassured him that I would not move from the hospital that I was needed here, and I knew that they would find Star it was only a matter of time. He was shocked and I said he had momma and his dad to thank, for me being rational. He laughed.

"I'll drop Maureen off and get to the Pier, have you called Carol I'm sure Luca wants to go also."

I told him that was my next call, he said they would be at the hospital in 20 minutes. I called Carol at the clinic next and could hear them arguing.

"Carol, I need to talk to Luca. It's important and I need you to not give him a hard time if something happens."

"Sis what happened? Luca, get on the extra line it's CJ she wants to talk to you."

I told them the same version but Luca interrupted every 2 seconds yelling and then banging his fist onto the desk. Carol went to him and grabbed the phone. "We will be there in 20 minutes, find out who's operating on them. I'll ask for more details when I get there. Are you okay Sis? You are staying put right, I don't think Cowboy will be too happy if you came down to the pier especially with little man just getting you two back."

I reassured her that I was staying put and would have that information for her when she got there.

"CJ it's Luca I'm sorry darling for taking this out on you, Boyd's a dead man and he hurt my family I will not rest till he is found and I know Popeye he must be chomping at the bit to find this asshole. I will get everyone I know to meet us at the pier. This goes for friends and ex-military buddies, his minutes are numbered. Stay with the guys we left behind, you are still a target and like my future wife said Cowboy will not be happy if something happens to you, he's counting on me and my team to keep you safe and we will."

I smiled and hearing his words reassured me. He was right. I needed to stay. Houston didn't need me getting in the middle of that mess; he had to worry about Star and finding her. If he needed something he would reach out to me and when Will and Luca got here I'd make sure they got him to call me here at the hospital. I needed to hear his voice to ask him if he was okay and that I needed him to be alright.

Uncle Roy and Too Mean came up to the desk and asked what I had heard. I said no news but I had contacted our family and they were on their way back. Luca and Will would be dropping off Carol and Maureen and then they'd head to the Pier.

"What happened with you and Michael, Too Mean?"

He rolled his eyes, "He left. I wasn't cooperating and said he was going to get Houston to tell him everything that's going on. I have to go to the station and fill out a report, but he took my gun."

Uncle Roy put his hand on his shoulder, "Lucky that's all he took, so what happened on that pier and I think you might need some stitches Too Mean."

I looked at him closely and saw the dried blood that was on his temple.

"Too Mean, are you hurt come here."

I started to touch his temple and then his head found a bump and more blood that had dried up. I shook my head and grabbed his hand and pulled him to the nurse's station.

"Excuse me, can one of you help my friend here? He was involved with the shootout at the pier and it looks like he has a head injury."

"CJ…"

I raised my hand to make him stop. The clerk looked up and yelled out to one of the nurses that there was a head injury, someone came up and smiled at me.

"Hey CJ don't tell me it's Houston again? I think there's a pool going around on how many injuries he's going to have this year and if he's admitted I'm done."

I rolled my eyes, "No it's my friend Too Mean here can you check him out he has a big lump and I just want him to be checked out can you help."

She nodded and told me to bring him to the back.

"You're making a big thing out of nothing CJ, I need to get back to the pier and find Star. Houston is going to need back up, it's nothing a pot fell on my head. I've been tackled harder than this."

I took his hand, "I know this is hard but I need you here with us. I depend on you big brother so please let them check you out and give me some peace of mind. Okay."

He smiled and nodded okay. "But only if you stay here. I don't want to hear you talk your way into going down to the pier, Houston has enough to worry about at least with you here he knows you're safe and can concentrate on finding Star."

"I promise, Jake needs me and I have to remind myself he is a part of my life and he comes first. Even over Houston. I'm not going anywhere but to do what was asked of me and to talk to Ms. Bloom about Jake and try to get some info regarding Star and how we can get custody of her."

They examined him as I stood close by, he would need stitches and to be on the safe side a CT Scan, too Mean was not a happy camper and said they were making something out of nothing.

I put my hand on his shoulder, "You are as bad as Houston, come on get this done for me please, I need my big brother and who's going to keep Houston in line if he ever decides to break my heart."

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah okay, if he ever breaks your heart I'm going to do some major damage, he can't play my little sister. I will be showing him the view of his penthouse office while I'm holding him over the railing."

I hugged him as they put him in a wheelchair to get his scan. I went back to Momma and Uncle Roy to see what was going on.

There was still no word on Tiny or Wick. I asked the nurse for the information Carol asked for and she wrote it down for me. I turned to see Carol, Maureen run in with Wicks guys following them.

"Any news? Did they find Star yet? How is Tiny?" They continued with the questions and I stepped back.

"Hey, stop ganging up on her and give her a chance to answer you. Hi Darling, do you have any news for us before we leave?"

Luca had walked up behind Carol and put his arms around her, Will did the same to Maureen. It made me miss Houston that much more. But, I needed to be strong. He would be here as soon as he could come.

Uncle Roy came next to me and put his arm around me and answered all their questions. I just leaned in. I needed this support and he must have seen my face watching my sisters with their guys.

Luca and Will said they were on their way to the Pier, Uncle Roy looked torn but asked me if I still needed him to smooth things over with Nurse Ratched in the NICU, I laughed and nodded. He turned to them and said he was staying but to have his nephew call me to give me an update. Luca went to talk to his team and Carol took the paper the nurse had given me and started to call the surgery department but decided to just go up and get the information first hand. She was walking away when Luca grabbed her and told her she needed Cappy to go with her. She started to argue but I shook my head. She rolled her eyes and smiled at him. He kissed her and Will followed, having said his goodbye to Maureen.

Maureen had her own guards and came to stand next to me. "Hey sis are you okay? This must be really hard on you but what do you need from me? I need to call my office to see who's called me back with the information regarding custody and how we can become guardians for Star. I bet I can get the conference room we were at this morning, let me call upstairs and see if that's possible."

She left to use the phone and I looked at my watch. I needed to get back to Jake, he would be waking and I wanted to be there when he did.

"Your little man needs you so let's get back to the NICU."

I looked over to momma. She had her eyes closed and Chris was holding her hand. Talking to her and reassuring her Tiny would be okay. I walked over and crouched down and took her hands into mine.

"Momma, he will be fine, Carol is here she will get all the info we need and Luca and Will are on their way to the pier, Luca said he was calling everyone in and it sounds like Boyd's time is up. I just want to know if you are okay, do you need anything, are you hungry? Do you want a cup of coffee?"

She squeezed my hands. "I always wanted a daughter having all sons was not what I expected, but now I have 4 and granddaughter. You're right my Tiny will be okay and I haven't forgotten about my grandson. He needs you to go to him. Roy you better charm the pants out of that nurse or you will have to answer to me."

Uncle Roy pulled his lapels and primped his hair. "That will not be a problem if I have this in the bag. I'm irresistible and she will be putty in my hands."

I rolled my eyes, kissed momma and got up.

He tucked his hand into mine and we went to care for our little man.

"You got this Niece."

We got to the window and I saw Jake starting to stir.

"No we got this no one will ever hurt our family or take them away, if they try there will be hell to pay. No one messes with us."

"Damn straight niece."