Page 41 of Quadruplets for the Vipers (Never Just One #3)

Leah

T he rain has finally stopped, and a new day is breaking when the police finally finish interviewing me.

The night feels like a blur, and I can barely remember their questions, I’m grateful Knox called the club’s lawyer.

Reliving the night’s events has completely drained me.

Thankfully, the police seem to believe me, and their lawyer doesn’t think they’ll press charges.

That does little to assuage my guilt. I let Ashley die.

I may not have trusted her, but she didn’t deserve that.

If only I’d found the gun sooner she might still be alive.

I know I’ll never forget tonight, as much as I may want to.

Knox is waiting for me when I come out and he pulls me into his strong arms, his embrace a welcome comfort. Part of me had dared to hope that the others would be there too. Their absence is worrying.

“Let’s get you home,” Knox says, gently guiding me out of the door.

“Where are the others? Why didn’t they come?” I ask, my voice small and childlike.

Part of me worries they’ve somehow decided they don’t want me, that they don’t care enough to come, the other worries they physically can’t come because they’re hurt. I don’t know which will hurt more.

Knox looks torn and I can tell he’s wrestling with whether or not he should tell me the truth. “Please, whatever it is, tell me,” I urge.

Finally, he relents. “They’re at the hospital.”

“What happened? Are they okay?”

“Yes, they’re okay,” he says, but I can tell he’s withholding something from me.

“Please, tell me.”

“Not here. Let’s get home and then I promise I’ll tell you everything.”

I can only assume he doesn’t want the cops overhearing.

“I’m not going home. We’re going to the hospital to see them, right now. You can tell me what happened on the way.”

Knox knows me well enough by now to know how stubborn I can be. One look at my determined expression and he gives in with a sigh.

“Come on then,” he says heading over to Ashley’s truck.

He only had his bike with him, so it made sense to take hers.

It feels strange climbing inside. It was only a few hours ago that Ashley and I were driving to the safehouse and I thought the nightmare was over, it turned out it was only just starting.

As we drive to the hospital, Knox explains everything that happened up until the point that Axel told him to come find me.

He then relays his phone conversation with Jace.

Apparently, Lucifer was fighting dirty, trying to run Axel off the road.

Axel managed to hold his own and even overtake Lucifer at one point, but then the other man rammed into the back of his bike, causing him to crash.

Lucifer’s move was a foolish one as it caused him to lose control of his own bike.

He came flying off, colliding headfirst with a tree, killing him instantly.

Seeing their leader was dead, but that there had technically been no victor, the remaining Hellhounds were confused.

Some decided to flee while others stayed and fought.

Knox doesn’t go into details, but it sounds as if Rider and Jace were lucky to have beaten them.

Both got wounded in the process but will be fine.

He continues, “Axel wasn’t so lucky. He hit his head when he crashed. The helmet saved his life, but there was swelling on his brain, and he’s got several broken bones. He’s currently in a medically induced coma.”

Knox is still speaking, but I can’t take any of it in. After surviving so much, will a motorcycle crash be the thing that ends him? I don’t even realize I’m crying until I feel Knox lean over and wipe them away.

“Did you hear me, Leah? I said he’s going to be okay, the doctors think he’ll make a full recovery.”

Relief floods me. “He’s going to be okay? Really? They’re all okay?”

“Yes, Leah, he will be, and they are,” Knox replies with a smile. “Please try to keep calm, it’s not good for the babies,” he adds, worry marring his handsome face as he pulls into the hospital parking lot.

I love how much he cares for these babies before they’ve even been born. My heart swells with love for him and I pull him close, kissing him deeply. Pleasantly surprised, he kisses me back.

“You’re incredible, do you know that?” I tell him.

He smiles at me and shakes his head. “No. You are. I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive myself for not being there on time to rescue you, for not being there when you needed me the most. But I hope that if you take one positive thing from this whole horrifying ordeal, it’s this, you are a strong, capable woman.

You don’t need a man to save you, you can save yourself.

I promise, I will be there every step of the way as long as you’ll have me, as a partner, a lover, or even just as a friend if that’s what you want, but know that you are capable of doing anything, with or without help. ”

A strange sense of pride floods me. He’s right.

I did survive all that without anyone else.

I don’t need a knight in shining armor to save me, I can save myself.

If I survived tonight and finally got Tony out of my life for good, there’s nothing holding me back.

I can be the mom these babies need without any help.

I can choose. He’s giving me an out. He’s telling me that he won’t mind if I want to be alone.

He’s giving me a choice. Something Tony robbed me of. I love him for it.

“I love you.” The words come before I’ve even registered what I said.

He looks at me in shock and for a second, I think I’ve misjudged it horribly, but then he breaks into the most gorgeous grin I’ve ever seen. “I love you, too.” The words are like music to my ears, and I know I can face what’s to come with him by my side.

We head into the hospital hand in hand where we find Rider and Jace, both bruised and bandaged but otherwise fine, waiting for us in the reception area. I rush over to them and throw myself into Jace’s arms. He hugs me tightly.

“Good to see you, gorgeous. I heard about how badass you were tonight, remind me never to piss you off.”

His words are so him, so Jace, that I laugh despite the fact there are tears in my eyes. “Don’t you forget it,” I say punching him playfully in his good arm.

I move over to Rider, a little more uncertain, he’s not a fan of physical contact. I needn’t have worried, he immediately pulls me into a tight embrace, kissing my forehead. “I’m so glad you’re okay, I’m sorry we couldn’t be there.”

“This one ripped his IV out and tried to leave. By that point you were already at the cop shop, so I managed to talk him out of it,” Jace tells me.

“I know all of you would have been there if you could. You had no way of knowing that Tony had found us, that I was in danger at all. You did the right thing staying to protect Axel. If you hadn’t been there…

” My voice trails off, there’s no need for me to say the words.

If Axel had raced Lucifer alone, when he crashed his men would likely have killed him.

I don’t want to be some damsel in distress. If my life had been put first and one of them had died, I’d have never forgiven myself. Or them.

“Where is he?”

There’s no need to say who I mean. The others lead the way to Axel’s room.

I let out a small cry of anguish when I see him.

He looks so small, so vulnerable in the bed, hooked up to machines.

They have shaved his long, thick hair leaving his scalp exposed, most of his body is bandaged, his arm, shoulder, and a leg in plaster cast. I’ve no doubt that he’s lucky to be alive.

I move over to his side, taking his big, limp hand in mine. I squeeze it but he doesn’t squeeze back. I stroke his cheek gently, unable to hold back my tears.

“You come back to us soon, Axel, okay? We need you, I need you, these babies need you. Don’t you dare quit on us, you hear me?” I lean close to kiss his cheek. “I love you,” I whisper into his ear, hoping that, wherever he might be, he can hear me.

***

One Week Later

The soft beep of monitors is the only constant sound in the quiet hospital room. It’s become a strange kind of comfort, that rhythm, steady and calm. I sit by Axel’s bed, my hand curled gently around his. His skin is warm, but unmoving.

A week ago, I thought we might lose everything. We didn’t. Not entirely. The babies are healthy. That’s a miracle all on its own. My last checkup showed they’re developing normally, their tiny hearts strong and beating. Despite everything, they’re thriving.

Axel… not yet.

His sedation was stopped two days ago. Now it’s just a waiting game. The doctors are cautiously optimistic, but that only helps so much. I know the statistics. I’ve read everything I can about comas, waking up, what it means, what it doesn’t. I just want him back.

The door creaks quietly as Knox enters, followed by Rider and Jace. All three look tired, like they’ve lived a hundred lives this past week. Jace’s arm is still bandaged, Rider has a fresh scar above his eyebrow. But they’re alive. And they’re here.

“Hey,” I say softly.

They offer tired smiles and file in, taking their usual spots. Jace drops into the chair beside me and steals one of the hospital jelly cups off the side tray. He’s the only one who can make this place feel a little lighter.

“You holding up?” Knox asks, crouching beside me. He puts a hand on my thigh, squeezing gently.

I nod weakly. “Trying to.”

“Surprised you can sleep on the hospital cot” Jace mutters through a mouthful of green jelly. “Those things are sadistic.”

A weak smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. The guys all wanted to take turns staying with Axel, but I insisted. I lean my head briefly against Knox’s shoulder.

“Doctor said it could happen anytime now,” I whisper. “He’s breathing on his own. No complications. But… it’s Axel. He’s strong. I just—I don’t know what we’ll do if he doesn’t come back.”

“He’ll come back,” Rider says, voice hoarse but steady.

“I want to believe that.”

“You don’t have to believe it,” Jace says. “Just know it. He’s too damn stubborn to check out now. And he promised you, remember? He never breaks a promise.”

Knox stands, placing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. “If he can fight off Lucifer and a bike crash at full speed, he can fight his way back to us.”

They try to sound confident, but I can hear the cracks. We’re all holding on by threads. The club is holding strong, the cleanup continues, but this—Axel—is what we orbit. Without him, nothing feels solid.

Rider walks to the window and stares out at the morning light. “You should rest, Leah. Let us take over for a bit.”

“I can’t,” I say, eyes still on Axel’s face. “I might miss it.”

“Miss what?” Knox asks gently.

“When he wakes up.”

We sit in silence for a while. The guys talk softly about club matters—who’s watching the compound, updates on rebuilding the clubhouse. I half-listen. My hand never leaves Axel’s.

Despite my promise to myself that I’d keep watch, I felt my eyelids getting heavier and I must have dozed off. However, a moment later, Axel’s fingers twitch underneath mine.

I freeze. I stare at his hand, afraid to breathe.

“Did you guys see that?” I whisper, heart pounding.

Knox steps forward, eyes narrowing. “Do it again, brother,” he mutters under his breath. “Come on, you’ve got more fight in you.”

There it is again—a definite twitch, this time his eyelids fluttering slightly.

I stand, my fingers trembling as I press the call button for the nurse. “He’s moving. I swear to god, he’s moving.”

Jace is already at the foot of the bed, eyes wide. “Jesus, Axel, if you’re about to wake up just to tell me I owe you fifty bucks, I swear…”

The nurse rushes in a minute later, checks his vitals, then leans close to his face, calling his name, “Mr. Martin?”

“Axel? Can you hear me?” I ask.

A low groan rumbles from his throat. His lips part, and his head shifts slightly towards my voice.

“Axel?” I breathe. “It’s me. Leah. I’m right here.”

His brows furrow. Another soft sound escapes him. His eyes struggle to open, but they don’t quite manage it.

“Take your time,” I whisper, stroking his forehead. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”

His chest rises more sharply now, the rhythm of his breathing changing as if he’s trying to speak.

“Can he hear us?” Rider asks the nurse quietly.

“He might. Keep talking. Keep him grounded.”

Knox moves closer, his voice low and steady. “Axel, we’re all here. You’re at the hospital. You made it, brother. We’ve got you.”

Jace leans in next. “Come on man, you can do it.”

That gets a faint breath of air from Axel—just enough to be called a laugh.

His eyelids flicker again. This time, one eye opens a sliver.

“Axel?” I say again, my heart in my throat.

His lips barely move, but the sound is unmistakable—a broken whisper, rough from disuse.

“Leah…”

Tears flood my eyes. “I’m here. I’m right here, Axel.”

His fingers close weakly around mine. His gaze is cloudy, but he finds me, just for a second.

“You… okay?” he rasps, barely audible.

I nod, tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Babies?”

“They’re perfect. Strong as hell, they must take after their father.”

He tries to smile, but it comes out more like a twitch of his lips.

“Love… you…”

I kiss his knuckles, holding them to my cheek. “I love you too. We all do.”

Knox puts a hand on his shoulder, gentle. “You did it, Prez. You made it back.”

Axel’s eyes close again, his breathing steadying—but this time, it’s not the stillness of coma. It’s the exhaustion of someone who’s just clawed their way back to the world.

And he’s here. With us.

And no one is ever going to part us again.