I push past the deputies who don't bother to stop me. They know exactly who I am. Who these two are to me.
Dropping down in front of both Delaney and my son, I wrap my arms around them, assuring myself that they're safe. Breathing for the first time since the Sheriff called me.
Delaney lets out a sob and wraps an arm tight around me.
"You're both okay," I murmur and press a kiss to the top of both their heads. "Safe, she's not going to hurt you anymore.
"Ambulance is two minutes out," the female deputy announces.
"I don't need an ambulance," Delaney protests, her breath hitching in the process.
"Ma'am, you should be checked over. She got you good on the back of your head, I'm guessing with the shovel tossed back there," another deputy states.
I pull back and assess the back of Delaney's head, indeed seeing the blood there. "You need to be checked out, sweetheart," I tell her, not leaving room for her to argue with me.
“I’m okay. You’re here, I’ll be fine.” She tries weakly.
“You still need to be checked out. You’re going to the hospital for them to look you over.”
"Daddy," Dash whimpers and curls himself deeper into me.
“I’ve got you,” I tell him, kissing the top of his head. “Daddy’s got you.”
"I did my best to protect him," Delaney whispers, eyes locked on my son. "I really did."
I close my eyes and nod. I didn’t need her to tell me. I know my woman. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for those she loves and cares about.
"You okay, kiddo?" I ask, keeping a protective arm wrapped around him.
Dash nods against my chest, his small body trembling. "She was scary, Daddy. She had a shovel and she hitted Laney."
My jaw clenches as fury surges through me. I press another kiss to his forehead, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're safe now, kiddo. No one's going to hurt you or Delaney. Never again. I promise you that."
"Who was she?" he asks, lifting his head, lips trembling, eyes shining with tears that spill down his cheeks.
Fuck.
The last thing I want to do is have this conversation with him. Not during all of the commotion surrounding us.
The ambulance arrives with its flashing lights, and paramedics rush toward us before I can answer him. I lift him into my arms while the paramedics move to Delaney. Around us, the world narrows despite the chaos.
I keep my eyes glued to Delaney while the paramedics assess her.
"I'm fine, really," Delaney insists, but her eyes are glassy, unfocused.
The paramedic gently examines the wound on the back of her head. "Ma'am, you're going to need stitches. There's definitely a concussion here."
I feel Dash's grip tighten on my shirt. "Is Delaney going to be okay?" he asks quietly.
"Yeah, kiddo, she's gonna be okay," I tell him.
"We're gonna take her in," one of the paramedics says, stepping back.
"I swear, I'm fine," Delaney protests, standing, swaying. I step in close to steady her.
"Sweetheart, you're going to the hospital," I tell her.
"Fine," she huffs and looks at Dash, "I'll go, but what about him? He needs to be with you. You should take him home. He needs you."
