Her head had been drooped over, but she lifted it. “Vomit.”
He strode around, unbuckled her, and helped her out. She retched on the ground while he rubbed her back.
When she finished, she said, “I need water.”
He secured her in his truck, drove to the nearest gas station. “I’m running inside to grab you water.”
Halston’s eyes were closed. “I’ll be okay.”
He cut the engine, locked her in. Inside the convenience store, he grabbed a six-pack of chilled spring water, tossed a twenty on the counter.
“Keep the change.”
Back in the vehicle, he twisted open the bottle. She opened her eyes, offered a weak smile. “Thank you.”
He held it to her lips. She wrapped her fingers around the bottle, drank down several gulps. “Enough.”
He screwed on the lid.
“Were you raped?” he asked.
“No,” she replied. “You got to me in time.”
“That motherfucker drugged you, didn’t he?”
“He had the server do it.” She spoke so softly, he had to lean close to hear her. “I only had two sips of the vodka, which Donskoy finished. I asked for water. The waiter brought all the drinks.”
“You should never have gone.”
“I need something to eat.”
Gabriel made a call.
“Yo,” Teddy answered.
“I need your help.”
“Go.”
“In person.”
“I’m at home.”
Gabriel hung up, glanced over at Halston. She was sleeping, but he had to check her pulse. Slow and strong.
“I’m alive,” she whispered. “What are you going to tell them?”
“I need them to know how bad this was,” Gabriel said, “but how much I say is up to you.”
Halston opened her eyes. They were bloodshot.
“Halston, I know this is difficult,” Gabriel said. “Should we stop by the hospital for a rape kit?”
“I wasn’t assaulted,” she said. “I was drugged, but he was waiting for me to wake up.”
“I’mma kill the waiter,” Gabriel said.
“No.” Halston drank down more water as Gabriel drove out.
