Raven gets one look at her, sees the bruises on her skin, and immediately heats up. Her eyes lift to mine, demanding answers. I don’t have any to give.
“She needs clothes. Some food in her stomach.” The words leave my lips, and my grip on her thighs tightens. “A shower, too.”
Penelope lets out a soft gasp once she gets a look before disappearing toward the back.
Circling the bar, Raven approaches to take a closer look. As she reaches toward her, I find myself stepping back without thinking. The ebony-colored hair woman isn’t amused.
“She’s dangerous.” The words feel like a lie and an excuse. “Be careful.”
She rolls her eyes, reminding me of the kind of people she interacts with daily, before gently touching her with a light pressure.
As the redhead stirs in my grip, I watch as her eyes flutter open. In this lighting, I can see that she has green eyes, and surrounding her pupils is a soft brown. Her expression slowly morphs into something more fearful as she realizes she’s being touched. When she jerks, I hold her tighter.
I should reassure her that she’s safe, that she’s far away from the men who intended to sell her body off. Yet, my tongue feels like it’s swelling larger by the minute.
“Hey, hey.” Raven’s the one to speak, her hardened voice turning soft. “You’re safe, sweetie. I just need to check for injuries beyond the bruises.” She smiles when the woman pauses. “You have a name? I’m Raven. You’ve already met Hammer.”
Green eyes move between us, and I watch as her mouth curls into a scowl. She really doesn’t like me.
“Tell her.” The words leave my lips far harsher than I mean to, but she jerks, frowning ahead.
“Destiny.” Her brows pinch together when she realizes I’m still holding her. “Put me down.”
I don’t want to, but now that she’s awake, I don’t have the excuse. So, I do. The moment her feet hit the ground, she’s clinging onto me, her legs weak.
Raven’s hands move to her hips, a smile forming. “You look like you could use something to eat. Tell me what you’re hungry for, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Destiny hesitates, blinking like she can’t understand what’s going on. Looking between us, there’s no denying the way her eyes linger on me.
I’m hovering over her without thinking. Not sure if it’ll help, I take a seat at the bar. “I want a burger. Fries, too.”
Raven shoots me a glare, but Destiny nods like she agrees. Biting her lip, she looks around, unsure of what to think.
“It’s safe here.” Muttering the words, I’m relieved when Raven disappears to throw something together. Taking Destiny in, my jaw tightens when the front door opens and some bodies start making their way in. A few prospects. Punishment is done, from the looks of it.
It’s Jinx’s whistle that makes me growl. He’s talking about Ripper’s injuries, his attention still on what’s happening outside. Like the others, he hasn’t noticed Destiny yet.
Looking at the redhead as she settles three stools away, I realize how her current state appears.
Reaching for my shoulder, I grip the nail planted in my muscle and grunt as I pull it out. Setting the bloody steel down, the throb burns as I feel the blood soaking my skin. Only an inch deep, it’s nothing to worry about. Shrugging off my cut, I get up.
“What are you—” She huffs as I throw my leather over her.
“Wear this until you get cleaned up.” Growling the order, I don’t miss the way anger flares up in her eyes. Pursing my lips, I don’t move until she’s putting it on. “No one will look at you this way.”
Their eyes won’t linger, anyway. Best I can do for her right now without pissing Diesel off. If any of his prospects end up with a broken nose, he’ll be the one breathing down my neck.
For now, she settles. She’s thankful when Penelope appears with some clothes. Enough for tonight. I’ll have to get more for her if she stays.
Raven returns with her food first, and I watch as she scarfs it down. Clearly starved, I finish my burger when I get mine, and offer my fries to her.
Despite the heat behind her gaze, she accepts.
While she devours every bite, Leah makes a trip to see me. The paramedic grimaces at the nail and tries to lead me away from the eating area. When I immediately refuse, she huffs. Something about tending a bunch of us all at once has pushed her patience.
“Not leaving.” Stubborn, I refuse to leave Destiny’s side.
“Fine.” Leah huffs and puffs, purposely flushing my wound an extra time to cause me a little extra pain.
