16

It took all his control to sit beside Krissi and hold her hand while Chris checked her out. When Chris finally moved away and snapped his gloves off Ruger was ready to smash him in the face for hurting Krissi. In his head, Ruger knew that he had to hurt her to help her, but emotionally, it didn't work that way. 

“Can she shower now?”

“Doesn't she want to hear what I've found?” Chris frowned and looked back and forth from Krissi to Ruger. She squeezed his hand and shook her head, her eyes still closed. She sighed then tried to sit up.

“You can tell me after I get her into the shower.” Ruger eased Krissi into a seated position then to her feet. After walking her into the attached bathroom he showed her where the towels and everything else were kept. “If you need me, shout. I'll be in the next room, talking to Chris, okay?” he spoke softly and made sure she met his gaze and answered him.

“Got it.”

Ruger turned on the water and adjusted it until it was warm. “You need help getting undressed?” Krissi shook her head but he watched as she unzipped the hoodie he'd put on her earlier and stepped out of her panties. She reached back to unhook her bra and he saw the pain flash across her face. “It's okay.” Ruger stepped close and unhooked the garment for her. “There, all done.” He watched as she stepped into the shower and closed the curtain. Ruger didn't like leaving her here alone but he needed to talk to Chris and he suspected she needed some time to herself, at least a few minutes.

Back in the room he'd long ago claimed as his own, he watched Chris as he re-packed his box of medical supplies. He knew from experience that Chris could handle most of the medical issues that arose in the club with just that box and the things he kept in there. Ruger also knew it wasn't cheap, because the club paid to maintain all the supplies that Chris thought they should have on hand. But too many of the men had had those supplies used on them to complain about the cost.

“Tell me.” Ruger sat in the chair in the corner and continued to watch the other man.

“She's beaten and bruised, but you knew that. She's likely got a couple of cracked ribs, some minor cuts on her face and torso, nothing too serious. Keep an eye on the bruise on her thigh. It's deep. It's gonna turn an ugly color and last a long time. And it's gonna hurt. I recommend she rest for a couple days, then ease her way back into everyday life. She should be fine physically, if there's not another beating too soon, and she doesn't damage those ribs more.”

“Physically?”

Chris looked up at Ruger then back down at what he was doing. “Yeah, physically. She'll heal. I'm more concerned with how she'll deal with it emotionally. I don't know her, I have no clue how mentally strong she is. She may be fine, or she may try to shut herself away and keep anything from ever happening to her again. I have no way of knowing.”

“I don't think she'd do that, the shutting herself away, but what can I do?”

“Be there, watch, listen. If she needs it, push a little. But not too hard, that could do more harm than good.”

Ruger took a deep breath, held it a moment then let it out in a rush. “I hate that this happened to her because of me, because of us.” He glanced around the room. “And I hate that now she's going to have to answer a bunch of questions about her life.”

“Well, you could walk away, but the damage is already done. It wouldn't do her any good, and it would probably hurt her.” Chris quiet for a minute as he closed and locked up his case. “You know, she cares for you, a lot. She may not like to show it but she leans on you. I saw it while I examined her.” Chris stood and picked up the case. “I'll take off and leave the two of you for now. Get her dressed, let her have a drink or two, not too much though. She's going to have enough problems without adding a depressant to the mix.” Without another word, he left, closing the door behind him. Ruger pulled a couple items out of the closet and dresser then went back into the bathroom.

#

Ruger stepped into the bathroom as the water shut off.

“You need one towel or two?” he asked, setting the clothes he'd brought with him on the edge of the sink.

“Two.” Her voice sounded stronger, less shaken and uncertain than it had when he'd left her. He pulled the towels off the shelf and handed her one as she opened the curtain. Standing nearby, he waited until she'd wrapped her hair and stood back up right, a grimace marring her face as she tightened an arm against her ribs.

“Come over here.” Ruger unfolded the other towel and gently blotted the water from her body, careful of the blossoming bruises and her injured ribs. Once he'd dried her off, he helped her into the sweat pants and button up shirt he'd brought for her, then grabbing the brush from the drawer beside the sink, he led her out into the bedroom. Guiding her down on the bed, he sat behind her, tugged the towel from her hair and worked the tangles from her hair.

“I can brush my own hair,” she said, but there was no heat in her voice.

“I know you can, but with those ribs, it will hurt. Trust me, I know from experience.”

She twisted around and looked at him a moment but didn't say anything before turning back to face forward again. Ruger brushed for a few minutes longer then had to say something.

“I'm sorry you got mixed up in club business.” He sighed, knowing he needed to continue but not wanting to say what he knew needed to be said. “I understand if you don't want to see me anymore, but I hope we can get past this.” Ruger paused, giving her a chance to say something.

“I don't blame you for this,” Krissi said after a moment.

“You should,” he said under his breath. “Did they tell you why they took you?” His voice was louder this time, intended for her.

“No, they didn't say much other than that the Souls would regret stealing from them. Can I ask what you took or is that club business?”

“I'm not sure if I can tell you, but Tuck will be around soon, I'm sure. He's going to want to talk to you. I'll ask him how much I can tell you.”

“I take it Tuck is your president?”

“Yeah, he's our president.” Ruger didn't say more. If she really was Switchblade's daughter she'd know that the president was the last person you wanted to cross. A knock sounded on the door. “It's open,” Ruger called without slowing as he pulled the brush through her hair. The door opened a crack and Sadist poked his head in.

“Does everybody have clothes on?”

Ruger knew damn well he could already see they did and he rolled his eyes. “Yes, come on in.”

Sadist stepped inside, a grin on his face that told Ruger he would be hearing about combing her hair later.

“Tuck sent me up. He said if your girl isn't too hurt, he wants to do this downstairs.” Sadist paused for almost a full second. “In the back room.”

Ruger looked up, surprised. Krissi stiffened in front of him. She knew it was a big deal for her, a non-club-member and a woman, to be called into the private room where the club meetings were held. She bent her head until her chin rested against her chest and let it hang for a moment before looking up again.

“Tell him we'll be down in a minute.” Krissi’s voice was steady and sure.

Sadist watched the two of them for a moment more, then nodded and left. Ruger watched as Krissi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. After a second she shifted, got up off the bed and turned to face him.

“I guess we better go. Do you think he'll let you stay or want to question me alone?”

“I wish I could say, but I don't know.”

Krissi looked at him a moment then nodded. “Let's go then.”