Page 66 of The Crowing of Hell

“Yeah. So, any nays?” Chance looked around the table and slammed his gravel. “Motion passed; Rooster can claim Kendara. Good luck to ya both. Any news on Fury?”

“Fury’s still hiding. And there’s been no movement for a few weeks, which means he’s planning shit. There’s also been no word from Irish’s inside man, and Irish remains missing. Slick’s worried but not frantic, but he’s asked all allies to keep an eye out for her,” Bear said.

“Irish is a law unto herself. Thought Artemis was one of a kind. Irish is almost as bad as her,” Levi added.

“Irish won’t stop until Fury and the Fangs are gone. Not even Slick can stop that burning desire of hers,” Chance said.

“Girl has as much reason as the rest of us,” Big Al agreed.

“If there’s nothing else?” Chance looked around the table. Everyone shook their heads.

“Church closed,” Chance announced and banged his gravel.

Rooster found it amusing that Chance was the first to leave.

???

Rooster was wrapped around Kenny asleep when ringing jarred him awake. Blearily, he looked at the clock on his bedside table and grabbed his phone. It was four in the morning. Whoever this was had bad news for him.

“Yo.”

Uncertainly, a male voice asked, “Is this Rooster?”

“Who’s calling?”

“This is Doctor Wainscott. We’ve had a patient brought into the ER tonight. Her name is Sadie Waters, and she’s in critical condition.”

“How bad is she?” Rooster said, sitting up and reaching for his leg. He knew his sleep was over.

“Bad. It’s a serious drug overdose, but our concern is the pregnancy and the reaction she’s having. You’re down as her next of kin.”

“I am?” Rooster exclaimed as he fumbled with his prosthetic.

Hands knocked his aside, and Kenny calmly helped him fit it to his stump. He dropped a kiss on Kenny’s head as he reached for his jeans. Rooster placed the phone on speaker as he stood and checked his weight before sitting and pulling them on.

“Yes, sir, it says Rooster, but no other name. It had this number.”

“Not a problem, doc. The baby, is it in danger?”

“Yes. Miss Waters is having a very adverse reaction, and we fear for her life. She’s fitting, and we’re not sure what she’s taken, so we’re doing the best we can,” Doctor Wainscott said.

“Sadie’s twenty-three weeks pregnant,” Rooster informed the doctor, dragging on his tee. He yanked on his boots and waited.

“Yes, and usually, a foetus is considered viable at twenty-four.”

“You’re not going to try and save it,” Rooster snapped bitterly.

“Actually, we are, which is why we’re calling. We’ve had to resuscitate Miss Waters three times so far, and we’re sure there’s brain damage. If Miss Waters goes under a fourth time, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to pull her back.”

“Cut Sadie open and save my kid, Doc. I’m on the way,” Rooster ordered and cut the call.

“Rooster, I want to go with you… but the boys, it’s not good they know this is happening. Not until you know if the baby will make it,” Kenny said.

“Agreed. Babe, I’m sorry, can you—?”

“Rooster, go. Save that baby’s life. I’ll stay with the boys and make an excuse that you had to go to work early,” Kenny replied.

Rooster dropped a kiss on her head, grabbed his Harley’s keys, and, shrugging his cut on, he left.