“Nothing yet.”
“Yet?” I don’t like the sound of that.
“I think we need to put Skylar on suicide watch for a while.” Nina sighs. I can picture the sadness on her face. I don’t like that either.
“You sure?” I don’t doubt her. I just hate hearing it.
“Not a hundred percent. She hasn’t tried anything, but she’s showing signs that concern me. I feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
We’ve helped hundreds of women over the years. None of them tried to hurt themselves. Well, that I know of anyway. We get phone calls from club presidents and reports about the angels in other states who don’t come through Tennessee.
“What do we do?”
“It’s just a precaution, but Lauren is here. Would you see if two or three other ole’ ladies would stay with us tonight? We could take shifts watching Skylar without her knowing.”
This isn’t good. Well, her idea is, but lately it’s just been one bad thing after another. I need to be in like ten places at the same time.
“And Darin?” Her voice drops to a whisper.
“Yeah?”
“Can a prospect stay close tonight? Just in case.”
Her request cuts me. I seriously want to go to Utah and find Skylar’s abuser. No woman should ever feel the way she does.
“Don’t worry, lil lady. I’ll get you everything you need.” Shep steps outside. “Shepherd and I are on our way. If you need help before I get there, send the SOS. Every Viking at the clubhouse will be there within minutes.”
“Thank you. I need to go. She just finished eating. She seems to like Lauren, but I don’t want to leave her for too long.”
“We’ll be back in about twenty minutes. Everything is going to be okay.” I end the call and send a quick text to Ross and Pops. They’ll walk the property around The Haven House until I get there.
“What’s up?” Shep asks as we get in my truck.
I fill him in about Skylar. He doesn’t seem surprised, but doesn’t mention why. Halfway to the clubhouse, Mack calls. They’ll be home in less than an hour. Still nothing concrete on Harley yet. Sherlock has them following some weird map no one else can see. If he finds my Goddaughter, I don’t care how weird he is or how he does it. Finally, after what feels like hours, the Viking Den comes into view.
“You going to put a prospect on guard duty?” Shep asks as we pull through the gate. I cut my eyes at him like he’s insane. The fool laughs. “Didn’t think so. My guys and I are staying tonight. If you need us, we’re here to help.”
“Thanks, man.” I pull into the private parking lot at the side of the clubhouse.
Having Shep’s help eases some tension. Thankfully, the four brothers with him today are trustworthy men. I don’t like the jerk Harley has been trying to get to notice her. Mack told Shep months ago not bring Spade back to Willow Creek. Skylar wasn’t aware that two vehicles were escorting them to Tennessee. There’s supposed to be at least one set of guards traveling along when escorting an angel. After seeing how scared Skylar is, I see why they have two sets.
It's not even noon, and every muscle in my body already aches. It’s going to be a long day and night. And a prospect standing guard at The Haven House? Not a chance. We turned one side of the back porch into a spare bedroom just in case a guard was needed around the clock. That’s where I’ll be tonight, and forever how long as Nina needs me. Um… I mean, for as long as she feels they need protection.
Chapter 15
Nina
Afterher mother was settled at home, Maci and her friend, Ember, came to help with our angel. Skylar was comfortable with Lauren and me. We were motherly figures for her. Lauren and I did all the talking. It was just random stuff and silly stories about our childhood. Skylar would smile briefly at times, and nod or shake her head at others. I considered it progress. My heart breaks for the poor girl.
It really helped seeing two women closer to her own age. Maci and Ember turned tonight into a girls' slumber party. They’re upstairs with Skylar now. They’ve gone all out with a blanket fort and everything you’d expect for a teen slumber party. It might be a little childish, but if it helps this girl, I’m not about to say no.
“Hey, Sissi.” Lauren joins me at the kitchen table.
“You did great with Skylar. “ I swirl the spoon around in my bowl of ice cream. Maci insisted we have an ice cream bar. She set it all up.
“Are you okay?” Lauren adds whipped cream and sprinkles to her bowl of chocolate ice cream.
I nod. “She scared me for a while.”
