Chapter Ten

Storm

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," I muttered into my phone as I sat in my parked car outside the hospital. I wanted this matter taken care of before I brought it all to Delany. Poor girl already had enough on her plate. No way in fucking hell was I going to pile on. "Goddamnit, Sypher. Pick up the fucking phone!"

"I was in class, asshole. What the hell is so damn important?"

"Need you."

"Yeah, yeah. Who doesn't?" the kid snarked.

Flummoxed, I looked at my phone, making sure I'd dialed the right person. Sypher was many things, but snarky and moody was not one of them. The kid was the epitome of civility, that's why everyone liked him. "You okay, Sypher?"

"Does it matter? Just tell me what you want?"

"Look, if you're busy, I can find someone else to help."

"Got nothing better else to do. Speak."

"You sure, man?"

"Just start talking, Storm. I ain't got all day."

"Can you to look into a man by the name of David Campbell? Former NYC firefighter that transferred to Arizona after 9/11. Need everything on the man before and after his transfer."

"That's not gonna be easy. First responder information is sealed, particularly those from the city who survived 9/11. You come from a family of firefighters. Why not ask them?"

"Cause the ones who would know are dead."

"Shit. Sorry, man," Sypher muttered. "Not promising you anything, but I will see what I can find. Alright?"

"I understand. And, Sypher, send me the bill. I will pay."

"No problem," he said before disconnecting the call.

I didn't know what was bothering Sypher, but the kid sounded like the world was weighing him down. Any other time and I would offer to help, but I had my own problems. Like figuring out how I was going to tell Delany that, until this mess was cleared up, I was taking custody of Harlow.

Gathering everything I needed, I headed for Harlow's room, only to find Malice leaning against the door, eating an apple as he watched me approach. Something in my brother's eyes told me he'd already talked with Mercy and if that was the case, him being here didn't bode well for me.

"Storm."

"Malice."

"What are you doing here?"

"Came to see Delany."

"You gonna do the right thing?"

Sighing, I looked around, rubbing the back of my neck. God, I didn't want to have to explain myself to Malice. He was the one brother in the club that had no fucks to give. Moody bastard didn't mince words and he didn't give a shit about anything but the club, and maybe Silver.

Unlike the rest of our brothers, Malice was the only brother who didn't really work. He lived and breathed the Soulless Sinners. Yes, he was a trained child therapist and technically shared an office space with Torment, but I couldn't remember the last time the brother actually practiced his profession.

"Can I go in?"

"Not stopping you. Yet."

"What's that mean?"

Malice shrugged his broad shoulders, saying nothing as he stepped aside. Frowning, I looked at him one more time.

Yep. Unreadable.

Walking into Harlow's room, I found both my daughter and her mother sleeping. Both looked exhausted. Laying my briefcase on the edge of the bed, I nudged Delany's shoulder, lightly shaking her.

Her head snapped up as she looked around the room. "What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, but we need to talk."

Sighing, Delany laid her head back down and muttered, "Then talk."

About to open my mouth, the door opened and in walked Malice, who glared at me, arms crossed over his chest. Daring me to say something. What that was... was anyone's guess.

"Delany, let's go for a walk."

"Not leaving my daughter. Just say what you came to say?"

Behind me, Malice growled.

"Delany, the club—"

Malice sneered. "Do the right thing, brother."

Whipping around, I glared at him. "I'm trying to."

"No, you're not."

"Then what the hell would you do, Malice, because Mercy was clear?"

The door opened and in walked Bane along with Tessa and three nurses who moved quickly to Harlow's bedside.

"Marco, make sure you secure her," Tessa ordered, walking over to help.

"What's going on?" Delany asked, jumping to her feet, wide awake now. "Why are you disconnecting her?"

Bane walked over to the both of us and looked directly at me. "You know me, Storm. I've been clear about how I feel about the club and the shit that goes down there, but this shit I won't allow. I've arranged medical transport to take you where no one will think of looking for you. All you have to do is get on the helicopter."

He couldn't be serious. If I did that, I would be defying the club. Did he forget what that would mean?

"Jason, listen to me," Bane added. "You need to protect your family, because I refuse to allow the club to do this to another innocent, and you know damn well your woman is innocent."

"I agree," Tessa said, approaching. "And shame on you if you go along with it all."

Turning to Malice, I asked, "What about you?"

"I like Delany."

That shocked me.

Malice didn't like anyone. I mean, he tolerated people, but never had he once flat-out admitted he liked anyone.

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Delany snapped, jumping in front of everyone, stopping them from touching our daughter.

Looking at the mother of my child, I knew, deep in my gut, Delany knew nothing about anything. She was innocent. All she cared about was protecting our daughter and that was good enough for me. When all eyes looked at me, waiting for me to decide, I knew what I was going to do before I even said the words.

"Move her," I ordered as the room came alive again.

Taking Delany's hand in mine, I walked her over to the other side of the room, so we weren't in the way and broke the news as gently as I could. "Delany, I'm just gonna say this, okay? No time for finesse. The club I'm with found out about your dad. I've been given orders to file paperwork in Family Court to take Harlow away from you, permanently, claiming that you are an unfit mother. I know you're not and I refuse to do that. There is a lot I need to tell you, but right now, all you need to know is that, by defying the club, I put us both in a precarious position. Right now, we need to get Harlow out of this hospital before the news breaks."

"What news?"

"About you. Me. Your dad. The investigation. Everything. A shitstorm is about to rain down on us, and we need to be long gone before that happens."

"What about Harlow's surgery?"

"I will make sure our daughter gets the surgery. I know you don't trust me, but right now, I'm asking you to."

I held my breath as Delany looked at me for what felt like an eternity, but when she nodded, I turned to Malice and said, "I need to get word to my mom. Tell her to lie low until I can safely contact her."

Malice shook his head. "Can't do that, brother. No one gets to know."

"Malice is right, Storm," Bane stated, walking over. "Montana won't hesitate to have someone stake out and watch your mom. She's a strong woman. Won't take her long to put two and two together. No one can know. That way, we can honestly say we have no idea where you are going. Just go. Marco is going with you. He knows Harlow's case as well as Tessa and me. Here are her files. Once you're gone, I will wipe them from the hospital's main server. Just go."

"I'm going too," Malice announced.

"Are you fucking nuts? Montana will lose his shit if you disappear. You can't go!" Bane shouted.

Malice shrugged and walked away, saying for all to hear, "Don't give a fuck."

My phone vibrating grabbed my attention.

Reaching for my phone, I saw the text and cursed. "We gotta go. Now!"

Taking Delany's hand, we rushed from the room as Marco scooped up Harlow. Heading for the elevator, Malice stood guard, holding it open. Once inside, Malice moved to stop Bane.

"Stay."

"I'm not a fucking dog, asshole."

Malice growled menacingly.

Bane immediately stepped back as the elevator doors closed.

"Where are we going to go?" Delany asked, brushing Harlow's hair away from her face. "She needs a hospital, Jason."

"She's going to get the best," I vowed, looking at Malice, who reached for his phone and started typing. Brother didn't have to say shit. I knew he got what I was saying. And when the elevator door opened and we saw a waiting helicopter, neither Malice nor I wasted time getting Harlow and Delany on board.