“Let me take her, sweetheart,” Vex says, moving to scoop her up. I nod numbly, then my EMT training starts to kick in.
“Looks like she’s been in the wars, so careful of her neck. Judging by her face she could have concussion and her posture at the gate could mean broken ribs, so try not to jostle her. Don’t want to puncture a lung.” I lick my cracked lips.
Vex searches my face before nodding once. “Thank you for the rundown, sweetheart. You did good.”
He takes her weight from me, gently moving her in his arms and then jogging to the clubhouse.
“Did good, girl,” Switch says gently. “How long you been studying for?”
“Not long. We’ve only had two in-person classes, the rest are online.”
He nods, his messy ginger hair flopping around, “You’re good. Get your EMT cert then maybe look into something further. I’ll help you any way I can.”
I stare at him in shock before whispering out a thank you. I’ll process that later, for now I need to get to Joe and make sure she’s alright.
I rush into the clubhouse, wildly searching for Vex. He’s laying Joe on the table the women were at. Mama Debs, Nell and Blanche’s eldest daughter Sage are corralling the kids out of the room as the men pile in behind me.
“Aunt Joe!” My head snaps to the sound of Bree’s voice and I stand in her and Addy’s way as they rush toward the woman.
Dropping to my knees I hold them tight to me, “Hey, Joe isn’t feeling very well at the moment, so we’ll just wait a little.” Addy snuggles into me while Bree tries to peek over my shoulder. Moving her back to look at me, I brush her hair from her face. “How do you girls know Joe?”
“One time mommy got hurt real bad and took us to a place so she could get better. Aunt Joe was there getting better too,” Addy whispers, her bottom lip trembling.
A presence behind me has me staring directly at Dex, his brows pulled in. He kneels down next to us, softening his features some. “When was the last time you saw your Aunt Joe?”
Bree and Addy share a look, before turning back to us. “Before mom was hurt. We were meant to be going to visit.”
“OK babies, let’s get you in the back with the other kids. I’ll let you get first pick of the movie. Yeah?” They both nod and let Mama Debs lead them away, their little heads swiveling to look at Joe before they leave the room.
“What the fuck?” Chef whispers. His vest says SAA, and I know he’s one of our front line security men, so I’m slightly nervous by the tone of his voice. “How is it the originals have smuggled two little girls over state lines, and now a woman they know has turned up on our doorstep with the shit kicked outta her?”
I get off the ground, and stumble my way to Joe’s side, grasping her small hand in mine. “Joe, can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you. Nice work out there.” She peers at me through the one eye of hers that isn’t swollen shut, trying to smile. “Why are Addy and Bree here? Please tell me you’re helping them?” She squeezes my hand hard enough to hurt.
“Yeah, they’re staying with me and Vex.” I smile. “They’re sweet.”
“They are. So is that man of yours.” Even with her face battered, she still has a twinkle in her eye.
I roll my eyes before sobering. “I’m so happy you came here, Joe.” I sniff, “I’ll take care of you. Just, can you tell me who did this?”
She swallows, eyes closed, a fat tear rolling down her cheek. “I can’t, he - he’s thelaw,Loyal. I just needed somewhere safe where he won’t find me again.”
I look to Vex, then Dex and Marx. We have to do something. Keep her here or send her to one of our contacts. Either way, we have to keep her safe.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” the man named Fox asks, leaning closer.
“It’s Josette, but everyone calls me Joe, with an ‘e’,” she whispers hoarsely but still tries a smile. And a wink.
He smiles softly. “Joe, I’m going to show you a picture, can you let me know if this is the man who did this to you?”
He swipes his finger over his phone screen, then holds it up to Joe’s good eye. Her breathing starts to quicken and an awful whine leaves her lips.
“That’s enough!” I spin at Justice’s voice as he swipes Fox’s phone from Joe’s line of sight. “I think you know by her reaction he’s the bastard who did this. Who is he?”
Fox glares at Justice for a moment, his gaze shifting from my brother-cousin, to Joe then back again before his posture changes and he backs down. “His name is Travis Hitchens. He’s a deputy in the Rose Grove Sheriff Department. He’s also the father of the twins.”
“What the fuck?!” Vex roars. He looks fit to burst, but one glance at Joe has him sobering a little, jaw clenched tight but obviously not wanting to scare her any.
