Chapter 6

 

Aria’s eyes meet mine as I shrug. I don’t know what the fuck to do here. I really should call the police.

“Should I call 911?” Aria asks, Haylee jerks when she says that. I look her in the eye and ask the obvious, hoping she’ll answer me. “Is there a reason we can’t call the police?” Haylee looks from me then to Aria before nodding slowly.

“Ok... We won’t call them, I promise. Can I carry your mom inside so Aria can call the doctor?” I ask her trying to keep my own emotions under control. Aria steps forward, kneeling next to me. She takes Haylee’s free hand in hers.

“I know your mom said that men were bad, but not all of them are. You see him?” She says, nodding over her shoulder, so Haylee looks at me. Haylee does and then she nods.

“He’s a really good guy. He just wants to make sure your mom gets better. I promise you he won’t hurt her.” Haylee looks down at her mom once more before she stands and moves into Aria’s waiting arms.

I take that as my cue to move in.

Scooping the woman into my arms, I lift her easily.

“Get inside and have Angel come help me. You get her cleaned up.” I nod toward the little girl in Aria’s arms. Aria moves quickly, almost as quickly as me.

Getting inside and into one of the rooms, I lay her on the bed. Running my hand through my hair, I’m at a loss here. What the hell do I do? Calling the police is off limits. Keeping her here isn’t the best of ideas. The door opens, and Angel walks in before I hear the gasp. She asks, “Shit, what happened to her?” Moving to the side of the bed she looks at her, lifting her arms to check for blood I would assume.

“Don’t know. We need to get her cleaned up for the doc,” I say, and Angel nods, heading into the bathroom.

Thank fuck I make sure all the rooms stay stocked. She comes out with a few wet rags, tossing me one.

“Watch her head. That looks like the worst spot.” 

***

Doc’s in with the woman now after looking the little girl over. He said she looked fine but was a little dehydrated.

Aria has her in the kitchen getting her something to eat. My muscles stay corded tightly as I pace the hallway waiting on that goddamn door to open. It seems like I’ve waited hours when Doc finally comes out.

“She’s been beaten to hell. She’s got a concussion, but she’s awake. I gave her some pain medicine, so she’ll probably fall back asleep.” Blowing out a breath, I look down at my feet.

“She didn’t want us to call the police. The little girl said so.” When I hear Doc chuckle, I look back up.

“She said the same thing. She said she’d leave, but I told her no.” Shit, now I have a woman and kid here that may, or may not be in some kind of trouble. Just what I needed.

“I’ll talk to her. Let her know she’s safe here,” I say, Doc nods, walking down the hall as I face the inevitable. I could make one of the guys do it, but what the hell is it I’m afraid of?

I push the door open, but stop dead in my tracks when I see her sitting in the bed. With all the blood and dirt washed off her, she’s beautiful. Younger than I originally thought she was.

“Hey. You feelin’ ok?” I ask. Her eyes come to meet mine, and they are the same bright green as Haylee’s.

“I’m ok. Sorry for everything. We will get out of here as soon as I can feel my legs,” she says, her slight smile making my heart jump.

That’s something it hasn’t in a long time.

“No need for that. You two are safe here. I don’t know what you’re runnin’ from, but they won’t find you here.” Before I can say anything further, her eyes flutter closed.

She’s out.