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“Oh.”
He sprayed his hands and patted her clothes down with it then dabbed some on her face and any exposed areas. Their gazes locked for several seconds and he leaned in and stole a kiss, smiling at the look of surprise she gave. He was going to really liketakingfrom her.
He held her hand, finding the moon full enough not to need light on the familiar path. Halfway in Patches stopped and turned, putting a silencing finger to his mouth. He jerked his head left, seeing a blond head in the distance. Sounded female. And distressed. He looked at Tegan and she saw it too, pointing and mouthingsomebody’s crying.
He held her hand tight and made his way closer. Definitely a woman crying. His stomach tensed as he got closer. Whatever was wrong had her so distracted she didn’t hear them until he knelt next to her.
She sat against a tree with her head on her knees and arms covering her head. Not wanting to startle her, he called softly, “Mah-dam?”
She sucked in a breath and jerked her head up and Tegan gasped as Patches grabbed hold of her arm before she could run. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” he hurried. “I’m the doctor of the Hoard, I’m just here bringing supplies and I heard you. Chee-ah feh selah, angel?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Who hurt you?” he tried, firmer, sure her orbital bone was broken by the amount of swelling around her eye and face.
She lowered her head and covered it again, sobs straining out of her. He looked up at Tegan, his rage burning as he stood and looked around. “Let me take you back, it’s not safe out here,” he said eyeing her, remembering their enemies.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
He lowered back down again. “Why can’t you? Who should I talk to about this?”
She snapped her head up, immediately shaking it. “Don’t tell, please,” she begged. “He’ll only punish me more.”
“Who will?”
“Please just leave me,” she begged, looking behind the tree.
“Who is he?” Patches demanded. “You have to tell me, or I have to go ask questions.”
“My husband,” she gasped, her face petrified.
“Your husband did this?” Patches asked, having to lower his voice to hide his rage. “Do your people know he’s hurting you?” He’d guarantee this wasn’t the first time now.
She let out another sob, nodding.
“Oh my God,” Tegan whispered. “We can’t leave her here with them.”
“Can I look at your injuries, angel?”
She shook her head. “Please leave before they know. Please!”
Patches stood and pulled Tegan who suddenly yanked her hand out of his. “We can’t just leave her!” she barely whispered.
He grabbed her head and put his mouth right at her ear. “I would have to drag her out of here. I can’t do that. These people might be peaceful but they’re very protective of their clan. We need to go now.”
Thankfully she got the nature of the situation and hurried with him back to the boat. Once they were back on the water, she asked, “What will you do?”
“I don’t think that’s a common occurrence. But Iwillget to the bottom of it. I’ll call Bullets when we get back.”
“Why Bullets?”
“This is his Hatch. His jurisdiction.”
“What will he do? You heard what she said. If he goes there and says anything she’ll just get it worse.”
“Yes, I heard,” he swore. “He’ll need to invoke the Bayou Brigade code which allows him to take a small army and arrest him.”
“What about her?”
