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“She’s better and more alert now.” Sawyer w
aved at his parents as they exited Ash’s room. Perhaps Chloe had sent them out to eat or get coffee. “I’ve just arrived at the hospital to talk with her.”
A pause. “How are you holding up?”
Dmitri’s concern didn’t surprise Sawyer. Any Dominant would understand the strain Sawyer was suffering. A real Dominant ensured this shit never happened to his sub. “I’m fine because I’m hunting him. It’s that simple.” Sometimes having a job that needed doing was the best therapy.
“Understandable,” Dmitri said. “If you need my assistance, please call.”
While Sawyer appreciated that, Dmitri wasn’t the man Sawyer needed now. “I’ve got one of Porter’s PIs, Chloe Nash, on this. I’m confident she’ll find Travis.”
“I hear she’s good,” Dmitri said.
“She’s damn good, and I’m glad I went to her.”
There was an obvious smile in Dmitri’s voice as he said, “Porter told us you kicked him aside when you came searching for a PI.”
Sawyer chuckled. “Chloe’s been good for Ash.”
“And for you?”
Sawyer hesitated. “Yeah, and for me, too,” he finally said. “Listen, thanks for checking in, but I need to get to Ash.”
“Will we be seeing you this weekend?”
Sawyer bristled. Club Sin was so far from his mind. Truth be told, the only woman he wanted to engage in kinky sex with sat in the hospital room with his sister. “Let me see how things go with Travis and we’ll see.”
Dmitri’s hesitation lasted a little longer this time. Sawyer hadn’t been away from Club Sin for any length of time since it opened five years ago, but surely Dmitri understood the circumstances.
He glanced to his forearm, spotting the black dragon tattoo, and he knew the symbol of the club would forever be marked on his soul. In the BDSM lifestyle, and within the walls of Club Sin, he was a Master, a pro at the game of dominance and submission. He had lived and breathed that lifestyle in Club Sin.
Breaking the silence, Dmitri said, “Everyone is concerned about you. Please stay in touch.”
“Thank them for their concern.” Sawyer ended the call, staring at his phone. A heavy weight formed in his chest. The members of Club Sin depended on him, he knew, but now his thoughts were far away from the club.
He drew in a long breath, shoving away his guilt and his thoughts. Ash came first. He shoved his phone back in his pocket and entered Ashlyn’s hospital room. Tension rippled through him as he saw Ashlyn crying, but it eased just as quickly when he noticed she wasn’t alone. Chloe had her arms wrapped around Ashlyn, holding his sister in a warm embrace.
And that’s when Sawyer knew the real reason keeping him away from Club Sin: That special woman right there is more important than anything at the club.
Upon entering Ashlyn’s room, Chloe had gently ordered Sawyer and Ashlyn’s parents out to grab something to eat, and then she’d sat down in the chair next to the bed and reintroduced herself to Ash. She had just finished asking, “How are you feeling?” when Ashlyn started crying, sobs filled with anger, shock, and despair.
Chloe leaned forward and enveloped the girl in a hug, ignoring the awkwardness of feeling a stranger break apart in her arms—she had no intention of letting Ashlyn go. “You’re going to be okay,” Chloe whispered. “I’m going to catch Travis. He’ll pay for this. I promise.”
“I keep feeling like I need to wake up.” Ashlyn squeezed her arms around Chloe’s neck. “I can’t believe this has happened.”
Chloe thought what bothered most women who’d dealt with abuse was that they hadn’t left the relationship sooner. And Chloe figured Ashlyn would need therapy to overcome those thoughts—she’d need some way of coming to understand that the abuse had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Travis.
Many minutes later, Ashlyn drew back and wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bawl all over you.”
“No apologies necessary.” Chloe took Ashlyn’s hands and smiled. “I’m a friend of Sawyer’s, which makes us friends, too. Which means crying all over me is what I’m here for.”
Ashlyn returned the smile faintly, yet only one corner of her mouth could move—the other side of her face was too swollen. Even through the bruises, it was evident that Ashlyn was a pretty girl with soft, feminine features. The slender-figured young woman was someone Chloe could see going to an Adam Levine concert.
“There’s my girl,” came a man’s voice from the doorway.
Chloe glanced over her shoulder and spotted Sawyer. A sweet softness shone in his eyes as he came into the room. He settled next to Ashlyn on the bed. “Are you up for a few questions?”
Ashlyn wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Guess it’s a must, huh?”
