“Not yet. But he’s bleeding out and it might take a while for the paramedics to arrive way out here. I’ve handcuffed him to the steering wheel so he’s not going anywhere. Don’t worry about him. All I care about is you and that you’re okay. Let’s get you out of here.” Jaxon began to lift me out of the SUV, but I cried out in pain.
“My ankle. I think it might be broken. He tied me to the inside door handle.”
“That sonofabitch,” Jaxon seethed, and my thoughts once again went to visions of scorched earth had Butchy and Graham’s plans been carried out. “Hold on, I’ll come around to the other side and free you,” Jaxon said.
“Graham,” I said.
“What about him?” Jaxon asked, puzzled.
“He’s been working with Butchy this whole time.”
“Yeah, baby, we know.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Intel came down while we were at dinner. How did you find out?” he asked.
“I heard them talking and fighting about what they were going to do with me. It was all some sort of twisted lover’s quarrel between them,” I explained.
“Lover’s quarrel?”
“Apparently, Butchy’s been obsessed with me for years, but Graham agreed to let Butchy rape and torture me if he got to kill me in return. They were going to use me as some sort of sick way of proving their love for each other.”
“Jesus, the intel didn’t gothatdeep.”
I bit back tears. “I was so scared, Jaxon.”
“We’ll find Graham. I promise. You don’t have anything to worry about any more,” he said, freeing me from my restraints before lifting me out of the car and kissing my temple. “I’m gonna get you to the hospital so they can check you out.”
“I’m okay, Jax. I just want to sleep.”
“I need you not to do that, Rufus.”
“I don’t have a concussion, honey.”
“Did you pass out?”
“Um...”
“Exactly. Humor me,” he growled.
“Okay,” I whispered.
I heard sirens as Jaxon settled me gently into his SUV, reaching over and buckling me in. “Do not fall asleep. I’m gonna talk to the cops real quick then take you to the hospital.”
“I’ll try,” I promised, just as Jaxon put his phone to his ear.
“Yeah, he’s handcuffed to his steering wheel. Ambulance is pulling up now.” He turned and raised his chin. “Yeah, brother, I see you. Okay. Thanks.”
Jaxon jogged around the hood of his car and climbed in. “Matt’s handling everything from here. Let’s get you fixed up.”
“Isn’t it illegal to leave the scene of an accident?”
“I’ll take the hit, baby.”
He pulled onto the freeway and drove me to Legacy emergency, carrying me inside as I tried to keep from screaming out. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, I was in more pain than I’d ever experienced in my life, and with every step he made, it felt like spikes were being dug into my ankle.
A nurse brought a wheelchair and Jaxon set me as gently as he could into it. I couldn’t stop myself from whimpering as he lifted my foot into the footrest, jarring my ankle. “I’m going to be sick.”
