Shadow’s Heart (Devil’s Inferno MC #3)

Chapter Fourteen

Shadow

H e’s alive. He’s alive. He’s alive. Holy fucking shit, he’s alive. That’s literally the only thing going around my head right now. With the lack of luck we’ve had while searching for Wreck, I was honestly starting to think that wasn’t the case. That whoever had taken him had killed him, and that’s why we couldn’t find anything. I can’t believe he’s actually alive and safe at the hospital.

I have no idea how he ended up here, who found him, or anything. And right now, that’s the least of my worries; I need to see him with my own eyes. I’m not going to fully believe he’s back home and in one piece until I do. Wrath telling me he’s been found is one thing, but seeing him with my own eyes is a totally different ball game.

I feel like I’m moving through a fog as Eagle guides me towards the hospital, where I find my Dad and Flame standing at the doors. I can’t even find the words to thank them for coming. It’s just too much right now. I’ll thank them later, when I don’t feel so out of it. Hopefully I’ll remember. No, I will remember. I might be out of it right now, but I won’t forget them being here for both myself and Wreck. It means the fucking world to me and I know it’ll mean just as much to Wreck.

As we walk into the hospital, I can hear them all talking behind me, but nothing is registering for me. If my life depended on telling someone what they were talking about, I’d be fucked. Their voices just sound like a buzzing noise to me. All I can focus on is laying my eyes on Wreck. They guide me towards the elevators, as they clearly all know where we need to go. That’s probably something they were talking about while I’ve been lost in my own head. I’m shocked beyond belief when Wrath clicks the button for the private floor located at the top of the hospital. Why the hell is Wreck there? It makes no sense to me. As soon as I’ve seen Wreck, I’m going to be demanding answers because something is very fucking fishy right now. Wreck should not be up on that floor.

When the elevator stops on the top floor of the hospital, Wrath and Flame step out first, followed by myself, who’s being guided by Eagle still, and then my Dad at the rear. As we walk down the corridor, my eyes go wide in shock when I spot who’s waiting for us. Jake. What the fuck is our injured Prospect doing here? He looks a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw him. His coloring is now back to normal, and he no longer has pain lines lingering on his face. Clearly the man is well and truly on the mend, and I’m happy for him, but I do really want to know what the fuck he’s doing here. I remember Flash telling us the other day how his brothers were being over the top with their protectiveness during his recovery. So it begs the question, Why the fuck Jake’s here, and what the hell does he have to do with Wreck’s rescue?

“How is he?” Wrath asks Jake as soon as we’re close enough to hear him speak. So clearly Jake knows something about Wreck. That’s the only reason I can think of for Wrath asking him anything right now.

“Still unconscious. They rushed him through x-rays, CT, and even an MRI to cover all their bases. He’s got a concussion, bruised ribs, and some wounds that required stitches. In all honesty, he’s lucky it wasn’t worse. Fuck, he should be worse off than he is from the obvious damage his body has taken.” Jake informs us, making sure to not let his emotions spill into his voice as he talks, even though his facial expressions show just how much he is really affected by what he’s telling us. He looks like he’s in physical pain as he relays everything that’s wrong with Wreck.

I hear what he’s saying, and I get it. He’s answering Wrath’s question and letting us know just what Wreck’s condition is, but for fuck sake, can we get a goddamn move on? I need to see him. We can do all this talking in Wreck’s room. People need to stop fucking talking out here and start moving so I can see my best friend. Now.

“Can I see him?” I ask, finally having enough of waiting for them to move their asses. I need inside that room more than I need the air I breathe.

“Yeah, he’s allowed visitors, but Shadow, you need to prepare yourself before you go in there. He’s in a rough way.” Jake tells me, his voice and eyes filled with worry.

I just nod my head. I appreciate him wanting to prepare me for whatever state Wreck is in, but I was never expecting him to be without injuries, both visible and internal, even before Jake listed off what the doctors had told him was wrong. It’s been three days since he was taken after all; there’s no way whoever took him didn’t inflict some sort of damage. Whatever state he’s in, I’ll deal with it because the only thing that fucking matters is that he’s here, safe and alive. Wounds and injuries can heal with time and I know that.

Taking a fortifying breath, I step forward and push the door to Wreck’s room open. It’s time for me to get my first look at him. My feet are moving towards his bedside before I even think twice about it. The minute I reach his side, I grab his hand, which doesn’t have an IV in, and hold on tight. Fuck Jake wasn’t kidding; he’s one massive bruise covered in cuts. I want to kill whoever did this to him. Wreck is the best man I know; he’s done fuck all to deserve this treatment. Someone somewhere is going to pay for doing this to him.

I drop into the empty seat next to his bed without releasing his hand. I can’t bring myself to let go. I’ll be surprised if I can pry my hand out of his anytime soon. I honestly thought I’d lost him. Seeing him this beat up is tearing me apart. I’d switch places with him in a heartbeat if I could.

“I’m here, Avery. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe now.” I say quietly as I drop my head to his bed as my entire body starts to shake from how hard I’m crying.

I’ve spent the past three days living in a whirlwind of emotions. I’ve hardly slept or eaten. I just couldn’t bring myself to do any of it. Seeing him lying here like this now is a relief, but I still hate that he’s even been through this. His recovery is my number one priority, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be wanting answers about why this even happened. Someone is going to answer for doing this to him. That’s a fucking promise.

I have no idea how long I spend like that on Wreck’s bed, lost in my own world, but I shoot upright when I hear the hospital door open. I don’t release Wreck’s hand though. I can’t bring myself to not be touching him. Looking over, I see Wrath and Flame entering, both looking grim as they take in Wreck’s state. I keep looking in their direction, wondering where everyone else is, but no one else enters behind them. They both walk to the foot of Wreck’s bed, and I stare at them and wait. There’s a reason they’ve come in here.

“I need to ask you something, and please don’t blow my head off.” Wrath says. He doesn’t sound even remotely happy, so clearly he doesn’t like whatever he’s about to ask.

I just nod my head and wait. I know he’ll ask when he’s good and ready. There is no point in trying to rush him; it won’t get him talking before he’s ready.

“Do you know any reason why a member of The Khaos Group would target Wreck?” He asks, his voice full of disbelief even as he asks. It’s clear to me he doesn’t believe there will be a reason, but he still has the unfortunate duty of asking.

Anger explodes inside of me; there’s only one reason he could be asking me that, and it’s because someone within The Khaos Group fucking did this. They took Wreck and hurt him. I know without a shadow of a doubt that there’s absolutely no reason they should have targeted him. Wreck is a good fucking person. The best. I don’t give a flying fuck about how powerful The Khaos Group is; I will make whoever did this pay.

“No, there’s no fucking reason.” I say angrily. The rage traveling through me is something I’ve never felt before. I’ve never been so goddamn angry before.

“I had to ask Shadow. Even if I was sure of what your answer would be.” Wrath replies. Okay, I can admit that maybe he did have to ask, but I can still be pissed about it all. I’m fucking entitled to be right now, but I shouldn’t be taking it out on my brother. He’s not the one at fault here. The only one at fault is who did this.

“Are you going to tell me what you know?” I ask, trying to speak as calmly as possible despite feeling like a raging bull inside.

Sitting at Wreck bedside, I stare at my brother, mouth agape, as he explains to me everything he’s found out from Jake since I’ve been in here with Wreck. I’m so fucking angry and murderous by the time he’s finished speaking; it’s not even funny. I understand why Jake’s connection to The Khaos Group was kept under wraps; I’m not even mad about it. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have Wreck back, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let his brother Rex get away with what he’s done. He has a lot to answer for, and he’ll be fucking answering to me. I don’t give a fuck that he’s a member of The Khaos Group. From what I understand, he went rogue and went after Wreck. There’s no force in the world that will stop me from taking my revenge and getting answers in the process.

I think Wrath knows that too. I can see it in the way he’s watching me, and I know he’s not going to try and stop me; he’d be the exact same way if he were in my shoes. Fuck he was this way when he tortured and killed the two men who kidnapped and tortured Flame earlier in the year. But as much as I want to get my hands on Rex and gain answers, it’s not going to happen until Wreck is better. I’m not leaving this room until he does, and when he is cleared to come home, he’s coming home with me whether he likes it or not. There’s no chance I’m letting him out of my sight anytime soon.