Page 12 of Striker’s Foul (Shiver of Chaos #3)

STRIKER

I try to pick Amelia up, but my chest pulls. Julian lifts her into his arms and carries her into the room where they had me. The jealous part of me hates seeing my woman in another man’s arms, but I have no choice right now. I lie beside her on the bed, watching as they tend to her wound.

Thankfully, she doesn’t need surgery. The bullet passed clean through her arm. But she does have a concussion from the explosion earlier. She won’t be able to work for a few days.

Jude also has a concussion. He’ll have to take a couple of days off from practice and be cautious of any more head injuries. I’m just glad he wasn’t hurt any worse.

I’ve been advised to follow up with a cardiologist to make sure there’s no lasting damage to my heart.

When I was thrown back, a chunk of debris struck me in the chest. The location and timing were just right to stop my heart.

I’m grateful my friends had the right tools to bring me back.

My ribs are bruised, and I also have a concussion.

The three of us have been admitted overnight. Commander demanded they put us all in the same room. I’ve been struggling to sleep, not just because they keep waking us every couple of hours, but because something else is keeping me up.

If Harold was behind this, then what was his motive beyond the money that woman mentioned?

Without direct proof, we can’t tie him to any of the attacks on my family.

When I was shot, Harold was confronting Amelia and Julian in town, more than twenty minutes from the scene.

And during the explosion, he was already on a plane back to DC.

It's frustrating that he might get away with it all.

“Luke,” Amelia cries out in her sleep and bolts upright.

I slip out of the bed the hospital staff insisted I use and climb into hers.

“I’m here, angel.” I wrap my arms around her.

Her body quivers as she opens her tear-filled eyes. The room is dimly lit, making it easier for the nurses to check on us.

“Luke, I thought you were dead. You almost died.” She’s going to suffer from that for a while, no matter what. “That woman almost took my son.”

“I’m alive. I’d fight Satan himself to get back to you. As for that crazy bitch, she’s in jail now, and they’re digging into all her claims.”

“She said she killed my mom.”

Amelia buries herself deeper into my chest. Even through the discomfort, I don’t say a word.

I lie back, pulling her with me until she’s settled on top of me, her legs straddling my hips.

Carefully, I grab the blanket and pull it over us.

Her hospital gown leaves her back exposed. No one is going to see her ass but me.

Even half beat up, I’m needy for her. My cock is hard and wanting to be inside her, needing to prove we are both alive. But I can’t do that with our son just across the room.

Jude had a hard time falling asleep. Watching me get shocked tore at him too. But my son is brave and does his best not to show the pain and fear he’s feeling.

When we get out of here, I’m going to need to find someone for each of us to talk to, even if that means separate counselors.

From my years volunteering at the local VA, I know we could suffer from PTSD if we’re not careful.

I’ll never be the same after seeing that gun pointed at my woman and watching my son dragged away from me.

I just got them both back, and I almost lost them.

Jumper has assured me that our new house will be repaired and secure within the week. I doubt I’ll have a problem convincing Amelia to stay with me once she sees it and how close it is to her roadhouse. For now, we’ll stay at her place and relax while we recover.

W e’re discharged the next morning and head home.

Gambit rides with the guys surrounding the SUV.

Of course, Amelia can’t leave things well enough alone once we get to her place.

She checks on the kitchen while I take a seat, letting her do what she can without exerting herself.

The hospital gave her a pregnancy test, but it was negative.

That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try harder to get her pregnant again.

The guys are wandering around when I hear raised voices coming from the kitchen. Jude and I both stand up and head toward the yelling.

“I said get out of my kitchen, you Neanderthal. I know how to smoke meat better than most men. I was raised in Texas for a short time before moving to Boston. Don’t you judge me just because I have a vagina.”

“I’m not judging you based on your pussy, little girl. I just said no Northerner knows how to make good barbecue. Right, Cowboy?”

“Don’t put me in the middle of this. By the way she handled that knife, I’m pretty sure she could filet your penis if you aren’t careful.”

“Oh, precious wouldn’t hurt my little guy. He’s going to show her some pleasure soon.”

“Over my dead body. Get out of my kitchen,” the petite blonde yells at Frost, and I keep a close eye on the large knife in her hand.

Frost chuckles and winks at her before walking out.

Amelia smacks him on the arm as he passes her. “Leave her be. She’s the best, and I don’t want to lose her.”

“Ah, Lia, I’d never run her off. I’d chase her sweet ass down and bring her back here kicking and screaming.” He stops at the door next to my woman.

“I’ll cut you up, Tarzan,” the blonde threatens him.

“Precious, don’t tease me like that. I’d swing from vine to vine for you.” He continues to laugh as he heads out of the restaurant.

“Okay, Striker and Lia, we have several men outside, and the same goes for Commander,” Gambit says before heading out.

I direct my woman and son upstairs.

For the rest of the day, we lie around watching movies or just relaxing. Amelia curls up next to me, while Jude stretches out in the recliner he claimed when my angel wanted to cuddle.

“Are you going to stay with us from now on or just until we’re safe?”

Jude’s question startles me. I was just about to doze off.

“Son, I’m never leaving your mama’s side. And as for you, I want to be a part of your life.”

“Why didn’t you come for us sooner?”

“Honestly…” I shake my head as I think about it.

“I believed the lies Harold and the sheriff at the time told me. That, and I thought I wasn’t good enough for her.

Your mama was raised in a good home with two parents, clean floors, and plenty of food in the kitchen.

I wasn’t raised like that. I worked to pay our rent and put a bit of food on the table as soon as I was able.

My old man went to prison for beating my mother.

My mom, on the other hand, was a drunk who didn’t care about herself or me. ”

“That sucks. My mom’s always been there for me. She never misses a game. And if she thought I needed something, she’d go without. She’s the best.”

“Kid, your mom is the best. She didn’t judge me for having holes in my jeans. She came to every one of my games too when we were together, even though her father told her not to. Your grandma was a sweet lady.”

“Do you think it’s true what the other woman said, about murdering her?”

I think about it for a moment and realize just how wrong we’ve all been.

“Yeah. I think she was murdered. Your grandma didn’t care how much pain she was in. She always made sure she was there for your mama.”

“I wish I could have known her. Papa used to say she was the light in every room. He said that about Mom too.”

“She was, and your mom is too.”

“I’m going to head to bed. I want to go to school tomorrow.”

“Night, kiddo.”

He comes over and kisses Amelia’s cheek.

“I’m glad she didn’t let that woman take me. But if she stares down another person with a gun, I’ll let you spank her.”

I nearly choke. That was something one of my brothers said, that I needed to spank her. I don’t think my son realizes what he just said.