“McKenna? Are you there?”
Her sister’s desperate voice broke through McKenna’s fear. She’d help Erin because she was the big sister, and that was what she did.
“I’m here. What happened?”
Sobs answered her question. McKenna stared ahead. The storm would be on them soon.
“Calm down,” McKenna said as much to herself as to Erin. “I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
More gut-wrenching sobs echoed in her ears. “Erin Marie, breathe with me.” McKenna inhaled and held it for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. A few repetitions and Erin gained a bit of control.
“Lance hit me,” Erin whispered.
Light as bright and destructive as the lightning around her flashed before McKenna’s eyes. But knowing her rage wouldn’t help Erin, McKenna harnessed her control and ignored her fury. She needed to focus on her sister and helping her deal with the trauma she’d experienced and any injuries she’d suffered. Oh, Lord. Trauma. Injuries.
McKenna’s knees wobbled. “Are you at the hospital?”
“No. I’m pretty bruised, but I don’t think I need a doctor.”
Pretty bruised. A multitude of injuries could go with that. Damaged spleen. Bruised kidneys. Punctured lungs. “With all the adrenaline pumping through your system, you can’t tell how bad you’re hurt. You should see a doctor to make sure you don’t have internal injuries.”
“I didn’t think of that. Should I go to the ER?”
Oh, God. She’d hoped Erin would say she couldn’t have internal injuries because Lance slapped her or punched her in the arm. Not that those actions weren’t horrible, they were, but the fact that her sister admitted she should get medical attention meant the bastard had hit her where she could have internal damage.
Chapter Two
Calm down. She’llget treatment. The most important problem’s dealt with. Focus on the next one.
“You also need the hospital to document the abuse,” McKenna said, her voice cracking. “Where are you? Do you have someone who can go with you to the hospital?”
“I’m at a friend’s apartment.”
McKenna pressed her palm over her heart as tears filled her eyes. Erin was safe. “Call the police. Have them meet you at the hospital so you can press charges. Then they can arrest Lance. While he’s in jail, get a protective order. Once you have that, if he comes near you, he can be arrested.”
“A protective order? Do you really think I need that? It sounds like a lot of work.” Erin paused.
Worried if Erin had to slog through the paperwork on her own, she’d give up, McKenna explained her work situation and said, “Once this party’s over and we’ve cleaned up, I’ll drive to Houston. We’ll work on the protective order Monday.”
“What about my apartment? My name is on the lease, not Lance’s.”
Before McKenna could answer, a waiter dressed in Ginny’s preferred uniform of jeans, a black button-down shirt, and cowboy boots, stepped outside. McKenna asked her sister to hold, muted her phone, and turned to the young server.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Ms. Stinson, but Mr. Barnett is looking for you, and the kitchen sink is clogged.”
Never a dull moment in the wedding business. Clogged drains or a clogged toilet. She could count on at least one a night. But that was why people paid her to deal with those headaches while they enjoyed the celebration. “I’ll be there in a minute, as soon as I deal with this issue.”
Alone again, McKenna said, “We’ll talk to your apartment manager when I’m there. Maybe the company has another complex you can move to without breaking your lease.”
“I can’t believe this. How do I keep picking losers?” Genuine confusion filled Erin’s voice.
You go for the charmers and the bad boys. Ones like Dad with a handsome face and a great smile, but no substance. Then you move in with him before he shows his true colors.
“Thanks, McKenna. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“That’s what big sisters are for.” But who watched out for big sisters when they needed help?
We learn early on to take care of ourselves.
