Page 88

Nick, concerned, came over and read over his shoulder. “What the hell does she mean, two separate things?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. I need to get there. Now.”

“Yeah. Whatever you need.”

Viper knew Nick would get the ball rolling on that, and sure enough he pulled out his own phone to make it happen, while Viper called Lyric.

“Hey, this is Melody.”

Viper’s heart sank and panic rose when Lyric’s sister answered instead of her. “Why can’t she answer?”

“She asked me to text you because she’s a little out of it right now. In fact, she just drifted off again.”

“Tell me everything,” he ordered.

Melody told him the whole story about the drunk wife-beater and the subsequent car accident that had happened not more than an hour ago.

“Was it just a random accident as she walked around the bar to go in the front?” He didn’t think so.

“No. The video is clear. Someone intentionally hit her.”

Rage swept through him. “I want to see that video.”

“I’ll send you the one of her kicking the drunk’s ass I took, but the other... I’ll have to get it from Jax.”

“Fine. Can you put the phone to her ear so I can say something to her even if she is out of it?”

“I think she’d really like to hear your voice. Go ahead.”

“Angel, baby, it’s me.” His chest ached with all the sorrow he felt for her and not being there. “I’m so sorry I’m not with you, but I’m on my way. I’m leaving right now.”

“Mmm. M. It h-hurts.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll be there soon.” His throat clogged with emotion.

“She’s asleep again,” Melody informed him. “But she heard you. That’s good.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“The worst of it is a mild concussion. They think it will be gone by morning. She’s pretty banged up, though. She rolled up on the car hood, hit the windshield, and bounced off onto the pavement. It left alot of bruises. And that drunk deadbeat smacked her hard.”

“Yeah, the asshole’s been practicing on his wife.” Viper would like to get his hands on the guy and show him what it feels like to be hit like that.

“I hope they throw the book at him for what he did to her and Lyric. I don’t even want to know what he’s done to his kids. But I’m so proud of Lyric for standing up for them.”

“So am I. Are you going to stay with her?”

“Jax and Aria are covering the bar. Mom and Dad are here, too, though they stepped out to get some air. They were really panicked when they got here. They needed a minute after seeing her.”

Viper felt for them. He needed more than a minute to get over seeing Lyric’s face. “I’m on my way back. It may be a few hours until I can get there. If she wakes up again, tell her I’m coming. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“You’re a good guy, Viper. She didn’t want to worry you. I convinced her to tell you what happened, mostly because I could see in her eyes that she wanted you.”

“I’m more than worried. I hate being away from her.”

“Is it going to be a problem if someone sees you with her?”

His gut knotted. Their relationship was becoming the worst kept secret, even if he trusted her family to keep it quiet. “Don’t tell anyone I’m coming.”