“Janet, the therapist, is coming in. Can you get her admitted?”
“Sure. There are cops from a couple of stations here. The local PDs sent help. Do you know Officer Jaggers from Spearfish?”
“In passing, I’ve heard of him,” I said. Jaggers wasn’t a familiar face, but I knew his name.
“I’ll text you his number. Phone him and let him know. He’s in charge of traffic duty,” Drew replied.
“Thanks, Drew. There’s food here. Are you sending people up, or would you prefer it brought down?”
“Both, if you can manage that, Nanci? Send someone down with it.”
“Already organised. Take care, Drew,” I murmured and cut the call.
Drake was getting to his feet as the Devil’s Scythe, led by Scythe and Satan’s Warriors, entered. They, like Rage, were covered in soot and dirt and were bone-tired.
Drake clasped arms with Scythe and Jailbait.
“Drake, take these platters. Send everyone who can be relieved up. These are for those who can’t leave,” Phoe said.
One by one, each Rage brother grabbed a couple of trays and slung backpacks with bottles of water onto their backs.
“They’re searching the field behind the crash and to the side; bodies have been found there,” Jailbait called to Drake. He tilted his chin and left.
“Sit. The girls will bring you some wet wipes to clean your faces and hands. We’ll serve you food, too. Sit down and let us look after you,” I ordered Scythe. He was rising to grab platters for his men to eat.
Scythe nodded and sat down wearily. The old ladies bustled around and began handing out plates of food. Thankfully, there were enough of us. Some stayed in the kitchen, refilling empty trays. Others were on pot duty. Silvie and Autumn from Rage were keeping four huge vats filled with coffee, tea, and hotchocolate. And some old ladies were waiting for the search-and-rescue teams.
“Are you okay?” I whispered to Scythe.
He reached out and caught my hand. I squeezed, and Scythe swallowed hard.
“Found two kids. Couldn’t have been older than three. Looked like they’d fallen asleep,” he murmured. I stepped over and hugged him. Scythe held on tightly for a few moments and then released me.
“Thanks, Nanci. Go organise your ladies, I’m fine,” he said and shooed me off.
I turned away and caught Daisy-Duke standing nearby. “Don’t let Inglorious see you embrace another guy. It’s not done,” she warned.
“Scythe is special, and we’re close. Inglorious would understand that hug.”
“Not likely,” Daisy-Duke retorted. “His woman shouldn’t be putting hands on another—ever.”
“Scythe just found two young children dead. Said they appeared asleep. Inglorious wouldn’t begrudge anyone comfort in that situation. If you don’t like it, Daisy-Duke, then you can do one. Who the fuck thinks something sexual is happening at a time like this?” I snapped.
Daisy-Duke looked ashamed. “No… Inglorious wouldn’t object under those circumstances.”
“Glad to have your permission. Now get ready. More people will come.”
Daisy-Duke bustled back to the kitchen. From a table over, Phoe nodded at me in approval. I acknowledged her gesture and moved on. I had work to do.
Chapter Four.
Amy
Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the scream of metal, the crackling roar of the fire, and the bang of the explosion. Finally, Papa got a nurse to give me something to sleep because I kept jolting awake. They’d moved us from the side room to a private ward. The doors were heavily guarded by officers, the curtains drawn. A cop had even shot down a drone at one point. How unbelievable that reporters would sink so low. All survivors had been brought here, keeping us together.
When I awoke, Dad and Papa sat by my bed, but Vortex was gone. That saddened me, but I knew I’d overstepped, the way I’d clung to him. The poor guy was probably running for the hills right now.
“How are you?” Dad asked, stroking the hair away from my face.
