“Thank you. I don’t know what else yet. One hour at a time.”
“Is she…”
“Yeah.” I smile and glance at her. She’s a fucking mess, but she’s my mess. That’s his unspoken question. I don’t say it out loud. I don’t need to. Two weeks ago, Blade met June in a police station where she’d been waiting to identify a man who’d attacked her. Blade had known she was his in a heartbeat. I might have thought it was shockingly fast at the time, but I get it now. When you know, you know.
“She’s going to need counseling.”
I swallow, keeping my voice quiet. “Blade, today doesn’t even register as a bad day for her.”
“Fuck.”
“Yes. She’s going to need protection. She’s running from something, or someone. I don’t have a clue what yet, but she was adamant that she didn’t want me to take her to the police. She panicked when I suggested it.”
“Do you think she’s done something that’s on their radar?”
I like the way my boss doesn’t suggest she actually did something illegal. At this point, I’m thinking there’s a solid chance she’s killed someone, but I’m equally certain they deserved it, so I’m not worried about it from that angle. I’m worried about how she’s handling it emotionally and helping her get through the trauma.
In my line of work and with my history in the military, I’ve had blood on my hands plenty of times. I might have felt a twinge of guilt the first time I rid the planet of its scum, but I don’t let it keep me up at night anymore. My job now is to make sure Eloise is safe, even if that means protecting her from the police.
I rub my temple with one hand. “I don’t know, but if she did, it was necessary for her survival.”
“I understand. Trust your gut on this one. Let me know if you want me to dig around. If you get her last name, that will help, but Mace is perfectly capable of finding her with just her first name if need be. The man’s a genius.”
I chuckle softly. “I can’t know for sure that Eloise is even her real name or that it was at the time. I also don’t have a clue what state he would begin with.”
“Don’t give me that shit, Cannon. I’ve known you for a long time. I’m certain you could narrow down where she was raised to about three states by her accent alone.”
I chuckle again and glance at her. Still dead to the world. Her full pink lips are parted, and she’s softly snoring.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Blade asks.
“Yes. I’d say the south end of the Appalachians. Maybe Eastern Tennessee or Kentucky. Perhaps Western Virginia. But, Blade…”
“I know, I know. I won’t tell Mace until you give me the green light. Unless it takes too long for you to get her to talk, then we’ll have to take things into our own hands.”
I sigh. “Thanks.” I end the call feeling much better. I know Blade is already on with Rachell, who will arrange for clothes and groceries to be delivered. I’m capable of cooking, but my team knows I don’t do it often when it’s just me. They laugh at me when they come to my apartment. My fridge is usually a bit sparse. Way too empty for a guest.
I glance at Eloise again. Is she Little? Hard to know for sure. My Little radar says yes. My common sense tells me that she might have Little tendencies simply from missing out on a normal childhood.
How long was she in foster care? Kids raised in the system often don’t have many toys of their own. Sometimes that alone is enough to trigger a person’s Little. They missed out. They want to go back and experience what they weren’t able to.
That’s not the only possible reason. Some people are just inherently submissive in that way and like having someone take care of them. And hell, I’d bet my last dollar that Eloise could use a caregiver. I don’t get the impression anyone has taken care of her for God knows how long.
Where have you been, Little one?
Chapter Eight
Eloise
* * *
I bolt awake, panic consuming me as I sit upright, gasping for oxygen. I look around, confused for several seconds.
“Hey, angel. You’re safe.” Those soothing words come from the man next to me. Cannon. He’s been nothing but kind.
“Where are we?” It’s dark, and that scares me.
“Parking garage under my building.” He reaches for my hand and gives a gentle squeeze. “You slept the entire way here.”
