“It seems to start almost like depression. Everyone is just really tired. But other than that, they all seem to be reacting differently. Diana is down. Megan is irritable. And Emma is really anxious. We’re just trying to keep them calm. And fed.”
“How might tomorrow look?”
“A lot like this. Just amplified. And layered with a lot of body aches, paranoia, and just bad cravings. I’m hoping we can find them placement tomorrow. I’ve mostly been doing research.Some of these places are real hellholes. They’ve had enough of that. I mean, I’m going to have to scrounge up some money to—”
“Got some good news on that front,” I cut her off. “Roach had a decent stash in a safe in his room.”
“How decent?”
“Enough to cover their treatment. Maybe some new clothes and shit after they get out. We’ll help ‘em with the housing situation.”
“We,” she repeated.
“Yeah, we.”
There was a slight pause. “I like that.”
“I like it too. How are you? You’re remembering to take care of yourself too, right?”
“Yeah, I’m alright. Just tired. It’s been a long twenty-four hours.”
“Let Morgaine and Vienna take a shift. Get a good nap in. Tomorrow’s not gonna be any shorter of a day. But Saint got a house rented for us that will allow all three dogs. And he set up vet visits.”
“Oh, wow. That’s great. I mean, I’m a little nervous about introducing Sugar and the Rotties. But I’m hoping they get along. It will make things so much easier. How are they?”
“Well fed and sleeping on one of the beds. Took a while to convince them they could get up. But once they did, they passed out hard. Probably the most peaceful they’ve been all their lives.”
“Good. They deserve it. What time are you guys coming back?”
“I’m planning on first light. You guys have to check out before, what, ten? Figure we can meet outside with the dogs, take them for a walk together, feel things out. We can eat breakfast in the park before we get on the road so we can settle in at the house. Crow and Judge will meet us there. And then you, Diana, Megan, and Emma can talk them all into rehab.”
—
That was exactly how things went.
As soon as the sun started creeping through the trees, we all did a sweep of the house, making sure we didn’t miss any blood, knives, bullets, or anything that belonged to the men who no longer existed.
With that, we rolled the extra bikes into the back of the moving truck and all made our way back to the hotel.
Morgaine and Vienna were at breakfast with the other girls. But Dylan was outside with Sugar, waiting for me.
The second I climbed out of the SUV, she flew at me, jumping up, and wrapping her legs around me. My hands went to her ass, holding her against me.
“That’s a hell of a welcome back,” I said, my voice wheezing.
“Oh! Your ribs,” she said, trying to drop down, but I wasn’t letting her go yet.
“Trust me, after all the digging, hauling, and cleaning, holding you is the least of my complaints when it comes to my ribs.”
“How are they?”
“Not great.”
“And your arm?” she asked, reaching for my sleeve and yanking it up.
She’d done the best she could with the first aid kit I’d brought. The gash from the bullet was held together with butterfly sutures. It was going to heal kind of gnarly, but that was alright. A small price to pay for her freedom. And the freedom of all the other girls.
“I don’t even want to ask about your hands,” she said.
