Smiley takes a single phone call in the middle of the afternoon. About an hour later, I see him and Lucy talking in the kitchen for a few minutes in hushed tones.

“What?” I demand as soon as Lucy walks back out into the living room. “Tell me what’s going on?”

“They’ve got Eden,” Lucy says, coming to sit down on the couch beside me. “They just got back into town. They’re at the clubhouse now.”

“Oh my God!” I cry, my hand covering my mouth, dizzy with relief. “Is she okay?”

“She will be,” Lucy says vaguely.

“What? Is she hurt?” My voice comes out high-pitched, desperate.

“No,” she says, her voice gentle. She puts a calming hand on mine. “No, honey. She’s gonna be just fine.”

The three of us take Lucy’s car to the clubhouse. My fists are clenched so tight in anticipation that the nails bite into my palms. “We’ll be there soon,” Lucy comforts, reading my thoughts, looking back at me with a kind smile.

When Smiley turns into the lot, I’m out of the car before he’s even thrown it into park. Gunner’s outside leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

I race toward him and fling myself into his arms. “Thank you!” I start to cry, my face pressed against his chest.

“Shh, babe, it’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.” He holds me close, rocking me a little back and forth.

“Is she inside?” I ask after a few seconds. “I need to see her!” I pull away and start to take a step toward the door, but Gunner stops me.

“Yeah, babe. She’s inside,” he nods. His face is grave. “But I want to talk to you a little first.”

By now, Smiley and Lucy have come up beside us.

“Is Tank inside?” Smiley asks Gunner, who nods.

“He’s waiting for you. Says he ain’t too bad. He rode back no problem, so he must be right.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Smiley murmurs, and continues inside.

“Gun,” Lucy murmurs, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I’m gonna head into town for some supplies. I’ll be back soon.”

He seems to know what she means. “Okay. Thanks, Ma. Grab some clothes, too. About Alix’s size.”

She nods. “Got it.”

“What?” I demand as Lucy walks away. I’m sick of not knowing what’s going on. “Gunner! What is it?”

Gunner pauses a beat. “When we found your sister,” he begins, “she was locked in a room, on a bed. There were track marks on her arms. They’ve been shooting her up with heroin, Alix. She’s gonna have to go through detox.”

“Oh my God!” My skin feels like it’s gone instantly cold. “But we don’t have any money to do that!” I look up at Gunner in horror. “We don’t have any insurance, either!”

“I know,” he says. I open my mouth to say more, but Gunner stops me. “Don’t worry, Alix. It’s handled. Ma will take care of her. I’ve already talked to her about it.” He watches Lucy’s car as it drives away. “Eden can stay at her place until she gets better. Your sister is gonna need twenty-four hour care from someone who knows what she’s doing until the junk is out of her system.”

“But…” I start to argue, but the words die in my throat. I can’t do this alone. I don’t have anywhere to take Eden, I don’t have any money, and I wouldn’t know what the hell to do anyway. This is something I can’t refuse. Eden’s life depends on it.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Shhh.” He pulls me to him. “It’s okay. We got you.”

I start to cry again, leaning against his chest weakly as I let him hold me up. After a minute or so, I take a deep breath and let it out. Pulling away from him, I wipe my eyes with the heels of my hands and look up at him. “Can I see her now?”

“Sure.” He takes my hand in his. “She was sleeping when I came out here. If she still is, we shouldn’t wake her up. She needs to rest while she can. These next few days, sleep’s gonna be hard to come by.”

Gunner leads me inside, up the stairs to his apartment. Eden is lying on the bed, mouth open and eyes closed. The one they call Lug Nut is there with her, standing watch over her like a sentinel.

“She’s so skinny,” I marvel, my voice cracking with emotion. I move closer. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly. She’s wearing a tight mini skirt and a tiny top that barely covers her chest, showing her ribs. Her feet are bare, dirty.

“Do you think…” I begin, looking up at the two men. I can’t stop myself from asking the question. “Do you think they used her?”

Lug Nut’s face contorts into a mask of rage, but he doesn’t say anything. Gunner takes a deep breath and exhales. “Yeah. I do.” He looks over at my sister’s sleeping form. “Hard to say how much of it she’ll remember, though.” He pulls me closer. “Let’s concentrate on getting her off the smack first, babe,” he murmurs. “We’ll worry about everything else later. Okay?”

I nod, and bury my face in his chest. Right now, having Gunner tell me what to do is exactly what I need.

“Okay,” I say.

* * *

Lucy comes back from her trip to pick up supplies, and brings Eden a pair of soft sweatpants and a loose T-shirt to put on. “I got some other stuff for her in the car, too,” she says, and orders Gunner and Lug Nut out of the room. “Let’s get her changed,” she tells me, “and then we’ll take her home.”

“Thank you for doing this, Lucy,” I choke, overcome. She gives me a quick hug.

“Don’t mention it, honey. It’s the least I can do for Gunner’s woman.” I don’t bother to correct her, because it feels good to hear her call me that. Lucy leans down and gently shakes Eden’s shoulder. “Eden, honey, it’s time to wake up. Come on, girl.”

Eden opens her eyes with difficulty, almost like she’s having to pry them open. She stares unfocused at Lucy, then looks over at me. When she realizes who she’s seeing, her eyes widen and dart around the room.

“Am I…” she begins, and then stops. “Where? Where am I?”

“You’re safe, Eden,” I say, sitting down on the bed. I give her a tremulous smile. “You’re here with us.”

“Where’s… Gonzalo?”

“He’s gone,” I tell her. Eden looks at me searchingly. “I promise.”

“I feel a little sick,” Eden moans.

“I know, honey,” Lucy croons. “We’ll get you well again.”

Eden’s voice grows agitated. “Help me!”

“We will. I promise,” I tell her. I’m trying to keep my voice as calm as possible, but my heart is breaking for my sister.

“Who’re you?” Eden asks Lucy with a confused frown.

“This is Lucy,” I say. “She’s a nurse. We’re taking you to her place so she can help you. But first, we need to get you changed.”

“Gunner’s the one who saved you. He’s my son,” Lucy tells her gently. “And Alix’s man.”

Eden lets us help her into the T-shirt and sweats. The two of us help her down the stairs to the main floor, where Smiley, Lug Nut, and Gunner are waiting with a group of other men.

“You’re the men from the pickup truck,” Eden murmurs.

“I’m Gunner,” he replies to her. “This is Lug Nut.”

“Thank you… for saving me.” Eden’s eyes flit from one man to the other.

Lug Nut looks down at her. His jaw clenches, his hands curling into tight fists.

“You get better,” he says simply. “That’s the best thanks you can give us.”

Shyly, she meets his gaze. “Okay,” she whispers.

Lucy’s gentle voice breaks in. “My car’s outside. Smiley can drive us.”

Gunner pulls me close and kisses the top of my head. He turns to his mother. “I’ll follow you on my bike.”

Lucy nods. “Come on, darlin’,” she says to Eden. “Let’s get you home.”