“It’ll take a few minutes and then she won’t feel anything,” Jameson instructed. “I’ll be hightailing our asses out of here, so brace yourself and her.”
Jameson jumped into the driver’s seat, and they took off. Garrett held Riley close as she fought the drugs. Sheer terror showed in her eyes.
“He only gave you a bit of morphine to help you until we can get you to the hospital. I won’t leave your side. Tara found me and told me about the bikers. We came to rescue you,” Garrett explained, hoping to ease her fears.
Riley no longer fought, and her muscles relaxed, giving in to the drug. Garrett concentrated on the landscape around them, searching for any signs of the bikers. “Where did the assholes go?” he asked.
“They’re at the gate. One has a phone out, making a call. I’m jamming the frequency. You’ll lose me for ten minutes. Keep your eyes out,” Matthew told him before everything went silent.
Garrett brushed the hair from Riley’s swollen cheek, feeling like an ass. He thought of her as a money-grabbing bitch like all the others, and she used it to save her sister. Then, sacrificed herself to ensure Tara got away.
They turned onto the main road when Matthew pulled out behind them. Julio and Rebecca led the way to the hospital. Instead of stopping at Ember’s Community Hospital, they continued on to two towns over. Rebecca jumped out and glanced in the back of the truck, seeing the battered Riley.
“All right, Garrett, listen to me. Keep your trap shut and do what I say. If not, you can pack your bags and leave tonight. I’ll take care of the woman. If you do as I say, you can stay.”
His chest expanded as he got ready to hurl a few swear words her way when Jameson came around the other side.
“Trust us. Rebecca knows what she’s doing,” he assured him.
Garrett watched as staff ran out with a gurney.
“I’m Rebecca Rhodes with the CIA. I have an injured witness in my custody, and she needs medical help. I’ll need to speak with your administrator to ensure we have your full cooperation.”
Staff went to work, gently moving Riley from his arms and onto the bed. Rebecca followed one of the staff members inside while Julio and Matthew took positions on either side of Riley. They led them back to a triage bay.
Garrett tried to insert himself between the curtains when Julio’s hand stopped him. “Let them do their job. Matthew already informed them about giving her the morphine. You can stand outside the curtain with me while Matthew makes other arrangements.”
Garrett glanced at the unconscious Riley and closed the curtain as they cut the clothes from her body. He listened as they worked on her.
“She suffered a concussion yesterday,” he said, recalling they may not have the information.
“Matthew has given her medical records and redacted her name to Jane Doe. They know about it,” Julio informed him.
He sighed in relief. This team seemed to have it together within minutes. The more he worked with them, the better he liked them.
“Do we need a rape kit?” the nurse asked. Garrett tensed as Jameson sent him a sorrowful glance.
“We need her permission first. She has bruises along her ribcage and swelling in her leg and arm. Let’s get a CT forany internal injuries and see what we’re dealing with,” the doctor said before leaving the room.
A few minutes later, two people appeared to take her to the X-ray department. Garrett followed them down the hallway with Jameson until they reached the double doors, which indicated they must stop.
Rebecca approached the two men. “Garrett, I need you to go to the store. Riley will need some clothes to slip on and off. Jameson will go with you. Julio and I will stay with Riley,” she said gently.
“Why don’t you pick it out and I stay here,” he suggested firmly. “She doesn’t know you.”
“She knows Matthew. He and Rachel went to the ranch to pick up Tara. Riley will need you to remain calm, and anyone can see you’re on edge. I’ll keep you posted on her condition. I texted her size to you. Get her something comfortable like sundresses, nightgowns and such. Her leg and arm will be swollen for some time. She doesn’t need to deal with wrestling with clothes. Pick up some things for Tara, too. Rachel sent you a list,” Rebecca said, pushing him toward the entrance.
Garrett stared at the door, worried she might wake before he returned. “You’ll call if she wakes and if she’s scared?”
“Yes, I will,” Rebecca promised.
Jameson placed his hand on his shoulder and gave him a small shove as if telling him the sooner they left, the faster they returned. They climbed into the truck, and Jameson headed to the store.
“They did a number on her face. It’s not acceptable, and they need to pay,” Jameson said darkly.
“They will. First, I must get Riley and her sister settled. They can’t stay at the apartment,” Garrett said, thinking ofthe extra room in his cabin. Riley might take his while Tara bunked in the other. He spent many nights sleeping on a couch to avoid returning home, where his mom entertained her boyfriends.
“I’ll help you, brother. I’ve seen worse than Riley, and I can’t stand to see a man, woman, or child abused by some bully. I want to burn them all down,” Jameson said, his voice turned gravel.
