I don’t say anything as I look back down at Scarlett. I watch the rise and fall of her chest, knowing that she’s alive. As soon as I got that phone call earlier, I knew it wasn’t going to be good. I gave her my number a month ago, and this is the first time she’s used it. I knew something was going on, but without proof, I couldn’t do much. If only I had pushed harder; she wouldn't have been beaten like this. She doesn’t deserve this at all. Nobody does. I have a feeling this has been going on much longer than anyone realized. That shit stops right fucking now. She will never feel an ounce of pain ever again if I have any say in it.
We pull up to the clubhouse, and Hailey and Savannah are standing by the door with Stone hovering over both of them. Savannah is just healing herself from the shit she went through, so I know she fought Stone on being here. Joker parks right by the door and gets out, opening the door for me. I gently maneuver her so I don't hit her head.
The sharp intake of breath has me looking up, and both girls have tears in their eyes seeing the state Scarlett is in. “OMG, what did he do to her?” Savannah whispers, covering her mouth inhorror.
“Is he dead?” Hailey asks with venom in her voice as they follow Joker and me into the medical bay.
I place her gently on the bed and brush the hair away from her face. “Not yet, but he will be soon.” My voice is devoid of all emotion. Right now, I’m barely holding on to my anger. It's just waiting to be let out.
Joker walks back over and pushes an X-ray machine over along with other things. “Okay, I need everyone behind the wall so I can check her over.”
I hesitate for just a moment, not wanting to leave her side, before walking away and letting Joker do his thing. The wait to see the damage is taking fucking forever, but I know she's in good hands with my brother. As soon as the X-rays are done, I'm by her side, once again sitting in the chair and holding her hand. Joker works around me, cleaning her up as best as he can to see what other damage he did to her. When Joker finishes cleaning her and washes away most of the dried blood, I see every cut and bruise covering her face, arms, legs, and most of her stomach. Jesus Christ, he did a number on her.
Every mark on her body, every tear that has fallen, I’m storing away for later when I get my hands on her father and the piece of shit who thinks they could buy her. She should have been raised in a loving home with loving parents, not the hand she’s been dealt. Scarlett is as sweet and pure as they come and wouldn’t hurt anyone. I scrub my hands down my face in frustration, feeling like this is my fault. If I had only pushed harder to get her to open up to me, hell, to anyone, she wouldn’t be here in the condition she’s in right now. I lift her hand in mine and kiss the back of it, hoping that she will wake up soon.
“Argh.” My head shoots up as soon as I hear her groan.
I stand up so quickly that I knock my chair over. “Scarlett, can you hear me?”
She slowly blinks her eyes open, looking right at me in confusion. “Ghost?”
I smile at her, so glad that she’s awake. “Yeah, it’s me, babydoll.”
She looks around the room, and her forehead wrinkles in confusion at seeing Joker and me standing over her. “Where am I? What happened?”
I look at Joker, and he nods his head as he brings out a flashlight and shines it in her eyes. “You're at the medical bay at the clubhouse. Joker has been looking at your injuries. Do you remember what happened?”
She looks at me, not taking her eyes off me as she seems lost in her memories, and the moment she remembers, a tear slides down her face. She nods her head and wipes the tears from her face, turning her head away from us. “My father went too far this time. I, um, thought he was going to kill me. He probably would have. He and someone else were talking about selling me before you guys got there. I just don’t understand what I did to deserve this.” She whispers out the last part and breaks down into gut-wrenching sobs, breaking my heart.
I sit at the edge of the bed and gather her up in my arms, holding her when her entire world is falling apart. “Shhh, it’s okay, Scarlett, you're safe now. Nothing and nobody is going to hurt you again, I promise you that. He’s going to pay for what he’s done and everyone else that’s had a hand in this.” Joker hands me a tissue, and I gently wipe her tears away as her body trembles in mine.
She pulls back once her crying has stopped, but won’t meet my eyes. Her body is rigid and continues to look down at the blanket. “I’m sorry I got your shirt all wet.”
I lift her chin with my finger so she has no choice but to look at me. “Nothing to be sorry for, okay? Whatever you need, I’m here.” She nods her head and looks over at Joker, who smiles at her.
She shifts on the bed until she’s sitting up. I hate that she’s away from me, but I know she needs her space right now. Scarlett keeps her eyes downcast as she clears her throat and asks the question I know she doesn’t want to hear. “How bad is it?” I stand back up and go to her side, as this is the first time I’m hearing this as well. I grab her hand and squeeze it.
He sits at the foot of the bed and sighs. “Your ribs aren't broken but badly bruised. You will be sore for a while, as it appears your last injuries haven't healed completely yet. You do have a mild concussion, but I suspect this isn’t your first one, is it?” His tone is gentle, but I can hear the underlying anger he’s trying to suppress so as not to scare her.
She looks up at Joker and avoids all eye contact with me. “No, it’s not.” I’m going to kill her father slowly.
Joker masks his anger as he nods his head. “That’s what I thought. Your bruises are going to heal over time, but you are you're going to need plenty of rest, which means no strenuous activity or working.”
Her head shoots up at that, looking panicked. “But I have to work. I need the money. Plus, Grandma Silvia can’t do it on her own.” Scarlett wrings her hands together, and I can see the tears swimming in her eyes. Even in pain, she’s thinking about other people. She is literally an angel.
She looks over at me and pleads with me to understand, but this isn’t something I’m going to back down from. Her body has been through hell, and from what Joker said, this wasn’t the first time. “I’m sorry, Scarlett, but this isn’t up for negotiations. You need the rest to let your body heal, especially if this isn’t your first time having a concussion. Besides, if you won’t listen to me, Grandma Silvia says she doesn’t want you to set foot into the store until you're well and truly healed. She also said she’s going to stop by tomorrow and check onyou to make sure you are resting. Let us take care of you. Letmetake care of you. I promise you are safe with me.”
I rub my thumb back and forth against her hand and watch her body shiver at my touch. She takes a moment to think about it before she sighs, making me drop my tense shoulders. “Okay, I’ll make sure I get plenty of rest. When can I go home?”
Joker hops off the bed and points towards the door with a massive smile on his face. “Well, I’m gonna go and let everyone know you're awake. Enjoy that conversation.” He chuckles, making me give him the finger as he walks out, closing the door softly.
Scarlett shakes her head and looks at me. “What’s up with Joker?”
I take a seat on the chair and chuckle. “We don’t even have the kind of time to delve into what’s wrong with Joker.”
She laughs but sobers quickly, narrowing her eyes at me. “What aren't you telling me, Ghost?”
I run my hands through my hair, hoping she doesn’t freak out. “You can’t go back home Scarlett, your father is still out there, and I’ll be damned if I let you go back into that situation again.”
