Page 30

“Shane will ride it back for me,” Cypher put in. “But if we had to, I could park it somewhere and send someone back for it. The bike’s not what’s important now. You are.”

Hillbilly started packing his first aid supplies back into the battered toolbox.

Tears pooled in her eyes, then started to streak down her face.

“Aww, sweetheart, don’t start that. At least not until you get your nose set. It will just make it hard to breathe until you do.” He brushed the moisture from her cheeks with a feather light touch, so he didn’t hurt her already bruised face anymore.

A pickup pulled into the parking lot, Cypher looked up and saw Shane behind the wheel. He motioned for the prospect to pull into a spot close by.

“Here’s your chariot, milady.”

She shot him a frown then started to stand. He saw her wince and put one hand on her shoulder.

“Hold on a sec, sweetheart. Let’s let him park and get out, then I’ll take you over there. I need to talk to the guys for just a minute, but I’ll get you comfortable first then we’ll get you to see Bones.”

She didn’t say anything but met his gaze for a moment then nodded. She looked exhausted, almost as if she was ready to fall down where she sat. He stepped a little closer and wrapped his arms around her torso, though he was careful not to put pressure on her wounds.

“Lean back and rest. I’ll get you in the truck soon, but I’ll hold you up until then.” She leaned back against him and let out a heavy breath, as if she’d been waiting to relax. He scanned the area, watching for anything that looked out of place or anyone who seemed to be watching them, paying them more attention than seemed appropriate.

Shane pulled in and parked. Cypher dug his keys from his pocket and tossed them at the prospect, who caught them without issue.

“You know the rules. You wreck her, you fix her. Is it unlocked?” Cypher nodded to the pickup the kid had gotten out of. Shane glanced back at the truck, then to him.

“Yeah. You need something?”

Cypher shook his head. “I’m going to put Lauren in the truck, check in with the others then she and I will hit the road. Stay close. I want you to guard her and the truck if I have to go back down to the boat.”

“You got it.”

“You ready, baby?” he asked Lauren.

She turned and looked up at him, her movements sluggish, but she didn’t say anything.

“I’m going to pick you up.” Careful to continue supporting her back, he eased his other arm beneath her knees and lifted her off the bike.

“Don’t worry about the seatbelt at least not yet. I just want you safe and comfortable,” he said as he set her in the passenger’s seat. Leaving the door open, he opened the rear door and pulled a folded blanket from behind the seat. Unfolding it, he covered her legs. Then gently held her for a moment, pressing his lips to the top of her head. “Did they violate you?” He tried to keep his voice soft, gentle. He didn’t want to scare her more, but he couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice completely.

She took a deep breath that shook as she exhaled.

“No. Not the way you mean at least. But only because you got there to stop it. That’s what they were moving me for. I think they were going to tie me to the table and take turns.”

Cypher closed his eyes and fought the need to scream. To hit something, anything. That wasn’t what she needed now. But thank God he’d arrived in time.

“All right, sweetheart, just rest. I’ll be back in a second, then we’ll take you to see Bones.”

Lauren nodded but didn’t say anything. After a moment Cypher broke away. He closed her door, making sure it latched, then went to where Wrath and Cyclone had joined Hillbilly at the bikes. The latter was busy putting his first-aid box back in the hard case behind his seat.

“They tried to rape her.” Cypher didn’t bother even trying to keep the rage from his voice. “Are either of them still alive?”

Wrath shook his head.

“Nope,” Cyclone said. “One was gone before we got there. The other? He answered a few questions before I helped him on his way. But we need to get out of here, we have maybe half an hour before that thing burns, taking much of the evidence with it and we want as much time between our leaving and when that happens as possible.”

“All right. You do your thing. I’m going to take her to see Bones.”

“We’ll follow. We don’t want you two alone for a bit,” Wrath put in. “At least until we’re sure you’re both safe. You’ll have a while in the truck to talk. See if you can convince her to stay at the compound for a while. I’ve already talked to Hex, and we’ve got a house the two of you can use.”

“Will do,” Cypher said, then he went to the truck and climbed in. “Need help buckling up?”