Page 27 of Revived (Lucky Ones #1)

Chapter nineteen

Elena Rossi

C hiropractors are the best humans on Earth, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.

Getting adjusted is so relaxing, and for once my brain is void of anything and everything except the sound of my joints popping and cracking as she adjusts my hips.

I’ve only been on the table for a few minutes when my phone begins to ring.

Looking over, I notice it’s Flynn; he’s probably wondering where I am or wants to meet up for lunch or something.

I reach out and hit the ignore button. He immediately calls back, and I put my phone on silent.

He’s not ruining my appointment with his needy nature.

“Do you need to get that?” Samantha, my chiropractor, asks.

“Nope. Just my needy best friend. He probably wants to grab lunch or something.”

The best part about these appointments is that they’re at a pop up clinic in the gym.

I don’t have to go anywhere extra. I’ve just relaxed back into my appointment when I hear a commotion coming from the gym.

Samantha and I look at each other in confusion before I push myself up into a sitting position.

Hopping off the bed, I slowly make my way to the door.

I’ve just cracked it open when I hear the distinct voice of the drama llama that was just blowing my phone up.

“It’s an emergency. Can someone please go get Elena Rory, now.” Flynn bites out.

I’m confused as to why anyone is giving him a hard time until I step out and see him disheveled and half of his hockey kit still on.

Behind him stands Knox, who must have just got back in town, because he wasn’t here when I left this morning.

Panic radiates off of them in waves. Yeah, no one here is going to give two giant beasts masquerading as men my location when they’re acting and looking like this.

“Flynn?” I call for him, figuring my blood sugar must be messed up. “Calm down. I’m fine. Is it my dexcom?”

His and Knox’s eyes dart over to me, and that’s when I notice the way Flynn’s are glossed over. What the fuck is going on? Why would he be crying? If something was really wrong, Sully would be– Sully.

Tears start streaming down my face instantly, and the boys close the distance until Flynn has me wrapped up tight in his arms, and I let the floodgates open.

He lifts me into his arms and carries me out until we’re seated in Knox’s SUV.

After a few moments where the only sound is my sniffling, I pull away. I have to know.

“Where is he?” I choke out. Terrified of the answer.

“The hospital. His chief called me, but when I tried to call you, you didn’t answer.” He wipes my tears before I lean my head on his shoulder.

“What did the Chief say?”

“There was a fire and the floor gave out on him. He was knocked unconscious and spent an undisclosed amount of time without his mask. I don’t know what we’re about to walk into, Elle.”

My heart lodges itself in my throat as we pull into the valet and Knox tosses the man his keys.

“My name is Knox Lindberg. If there’s a scratch on my vehicle, I’ll find you. Got it?”

The man’s eyes flash with acknowledgment as he realizes who Knox is. “Yes, sir.”

We rush inside the emergency room, where we see the group of men Sully works with. Everyone is silent as they watch us approach the section of the waiting room that’s been overtaken by bunker gear and dirty faces. Steel stands first and shakes Flynn’s hand before pulling me into a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry, Elle. I should have been with him, but I thought I heard someone else in another room.”

I press my hands into his chest until he backs up, “What do you mean you’re sorry?” I ask with a bite to my tone.

“Elle.” Knox steps up behind me but doesn’t touch me. Smart man.

“No, Knox. People say they’re sorry when… if… Is he?” My knees start to shake and I think I may just pass out.

A doctor comes out of the locked doors separating us from Sully.

“Family of the firefighter that was just brought in?” Flynn and I push past everyone.

“That’s my brother and her husband. His name is Sullivan.” He says without a hint of hesitation.

“He’s awake, and asking for his wife. He said his brother can come back too, but to tell, and I quote, “everyone else in the lobby to stop slacking and get back to work.’” He chuckles, but I can’t process what’s going on.

“He’s okay?” I ask dumbfounded.

“He’s awake and his smoke inhalation seems to be mild. He took a ten foot fall with all his gear on. Personally I’m shocked nothing is broken. However, he’s definitely going to be bruised up for a few weeks.”

“Can we see him?” Flynn asks from beside me.

“Yes, sir. Only two allowed back at a time.” He nods to the two of us before leading us out of the waiting room. I see Flynn turn back to Knox, but don’t catch what he says .

“I’ll wait here for the others.” He calls back.

The walk to the room Sully’s in is short. His doctor stops us just short of going inside.

“Sullivan inhaled a good bit of smoke back there. He needs to keep his cannula in. Don’t let him take it off. He also needs plenty of rest to heal. I’ll keep him overnight for observation, and then we can reevaluate tomorrow.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Flynn and I say in unison before I push through the doors and see Sully lying in bed with his cannula exactly where it should be. He smiles when his eyes lock on mine, and immediately he starts pulling at it.

I rush over to him and take his hands in mine, “No. You have to keep that on.”

“I’m not on death's door, baby girl. It’s just some sore muscles and some smoke.” He smirks at me, but I just glare back.

“No. I’m sure you’re going to be bruised to hell and back in the next day or so, and you have mild smoke inhalation that they’re keeping you overnight for. That means you’ll listen to what they say, or I’m calling Clara.”

His glare makes me grin, “You’re being mean.

” He turns his attention to Flynn. “What the hell are you wearing?” Before Flynn can answer, he begins coughing.

Pain coats his features as he fights to stay still and cough up debris at the same time.

Grabbing his hand, I gently stroke the back of it while he calms down.

Flynn’s watching him with rapt attention as he answers, “I didn’t get a chance to fully change out before I was running out of the locker room and going to find Elle. They didn’t tell me much, and what they did tell me was not enough to be sure if you were alive or not.”

“Who called you? Seems overly dramatic for a little fall.” He asks while pushing himself up to a sitting position. Which sends me into anxiety overdrive. Grabbing the remote to the bed, I bring it up until it meets his back and he can relax into the mattress.

I know what he’s doing, but it still annoys the hell out of me.

He’s attempting to ease the tension in the room.

He knows as well as I do that someone has already notified his brothers.

That could be Flynn, or it could be Mac tracking their phones.

Regardless, I’d bet my last dollar that they’ll be in Temple Valley by nightfall.

If they know what happened, there’s no way that they stay away.

“Ten plus feet isn’t a little fall, jackass. Now, just rest so you can come home tomorrow.”

Flynn pulls up a chair for me beside Sully’s bed before taking his seat on the other end of the room. Sully looks like he’s about to take a nap when Flynn’s phone rings. We both look at him as he curses under his breath.

“Dude, you’ve gotta answer this one– it’s Mama Bear.”

I bite back my laugh while Sully looks like he’s about to pass out. Them being scared of their oldest sister-in-law has always been funny to me. The woman is a saint. Flynn answers on speaker phone.

“Hey Mama Bear. What’s up?”

“Don’t Mama Bear me, Flynn Cillian Byrne. You have one minute to get out here so I can go see him before I tear this hospital down to the studs.” She bites out.

“How are you here?” They ask in disbelief.

“We own a plane, and wouldn’t you know it… people listen to me.” Oh, she’s pissed.

“Okay, okay. I’m coming.” Flynn ends the call before whistling low, “We’re in deep shit, dude.”

“Yeah, well let’s just hope she’s alone.” He grumbles.

After saying their goodbyes and Flynn leaving, Sully turns his head to watch me, “Don’t leave me. Okay, Boo? ”

“Never, Monster.”

I mean every word of that too. Even when just a minute or two later Clara and Rowan practically crash through the door. I watch Kieran and Mac take up either side of the door, guarding it. It’s overkill, and seeing as Sully knows a lot of the people who work here, I know he’s about to panic.

“Why does he have that thing?” Rowan looks at me like I put him here. “What is that? What happened?”

Clara’s already moved over to the other side of the bed to check out his blood pressure and pulse ox on the little machine. I can see the vein in Sully’s forehead throbbing and know he’s about to blow.

“First off, you guys shouldn’t be here, but since you are, tell those two jackasses to come in here before someone sees you.

” He throws his hand towards the door but immediately pulls back and slams his eyes closed.

His face scrunches in pain as he slowly tries to shallow his breathing even more than it already is.

Oh yeah, he’s going to be hurting tomorrow.

“If you guys are going to stress him out and piss him off even more then you’ve got to go. Either tell Mac and Kieran to get their big asses in here or all of you leave.”

Rowan looks at me in what may be respect, but I don’t much care right now. “Now.” I grit out, never breaking eye contact with him. Finally he nods and shoots off a text. Just a few seconds later Mac and Kieran cram themselves into the room.

“You guys need to go. I’m fine.” Sully glares at his brothers as he speaks.

“Looks like it.” Mac rolls his eyes.

Kie points to where the cannula sits right under his nose. “Why do you have that nose thing then? ”

“How are you three running the BOCG when you don’t even know what a damn cannula is?” Sully questions in disbelief. Under his eyes are dark purple, and I can tell that his adrenaline is finally crashing after the events. Before they can start arguing, I step in.

“Here’s the deal. Sully got hurt at work today.

The floor gave out under him, and he landed on the basement floor.

He has smoke inhalation, and his body’s been through it today.

He’s staying overnight at minimum, but they’ll reevaluate tomorrow.

The cannula is to try to clean out the carbon monoxide and revive oxygen levels in his blood. ”

When no one interrupts me, I continue.

“You guys are more than welcome to take over my house if you’re staying.

That way you’re close when we come home.

Aside from that, you guys have to get out of here.

Clara can probably stay, but you guys are too well known to be here.

You’re going to draw attention, and let’s not forget that first responders know each other.

A lot of these doctors and nurses know Sully.

Hell, he gets a drink with most of them at The Den on the weekends.

They’ll have questions that no one has answers to right now. ”

His brothers watch me slack jawed with rage simmering in their eyes. I may have just overstepped. Nope, I definitely overstepped. Thankfully, before they can tear into me, Clara steps in.

“Okay, you heard her. We’ll see Sul when he gets home tomorrow. He’s in capable hands here.” She claps her hands together before attempting to usher everyone out of the room. Sully starts coughing, which causes everyone to stop in their tracks.

“Give me a minute. I’ll meet you guys in the car.” Rowan states, leaving no room for pushback.

Clara eyes him wearily but nods and lets Kieran and Mac follow her out. One in front and one behind. She is the queen of the family, and they protect her as such. They all walk out, leaving only me, Sully, and Rowan.

This is about to be bad.