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Jude pulled me into him. “He was up here. Dad is with him outside in the car.”
Wiggling out of his embrace, I limped through the empty building and out the front door. My leg felt like it was on fire with every step.
Jude was right behind me. “It’s the black sedan.”
I raced to the car he’d pointed at and pulled the door open. There he was, eating ice cream.
The shaky control I’d had over my emotions snapped, my body giving up the fight and slumping against the open door.
Lenny’s head snapped up from forming the cone into a perfect round shape, and his eyes lit up. “Ariel.”
He threw himself at me, smashing the ice cream against my back. But I couldn’t have cared less. He was safe. Holding him to me, I looked at Constantine over his shoulder, mouthing, “Thank you,” tears now running freely down my cheeks.
I ran my hands over his body, checking every inch for injuries. “Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?”
Lenny shook his head against my shoulder where he’d buried his face.
Jude crouched next to where we’d collapsed to the ground. “You guys ready to go home?”
I nodded. “Fuck yes.”
“Language,” Lenny chastised, holding me as tightly as I held him.
I chuckled through my tears, standing us both up. Jude opened the back door. “Dad will get you home. We’ll clean up here.”
“Carnifax is down in the basement.”
Pressing a kiss to the side of my head and ruffling Lenny’s hair, Jude nodded. “We’ll pick him up.”
I shuffled onto the back seat after Lenny, holding his hand the whole ride back. And for once, he didn’t protest.
When we got back to the house, Althea and Freya were waiting outside the front door, running up to the car as soon as we stopped.
“Oh, sweet boy. Are you all right?” Althea pulled Lenny out and hugged him to her.
Freya helped me out when it became clear that I was too hurt to do it myself. “The doctor is already here. Let’s get you inside.”
Althea took Lenny’s hand and led him inside, Freya and I following at a more sedate pace. Constantine hovered behind us as if afraid I’d keel over and he would have to catch me.
The doctor was already checking out Lenny when I walked into the living room where he’d set up.
I sat down on the couch with a groan, leaning back. They’d gotten in a few good kicks when they took me from the alley. I guessed that I had at least a cracked rib. The cast on my arm was dirty and torn in places, my leg a throbbing mess.
Once I was sure Lenny was okay, I let the doctor examine me.
Althea took Lenny to the kitchen for some hot chocolate and cookies. He eagerly followed, the promise of food enough to temporarily take his mind off what had happened.
Freya stood up from where she’d sat next to me. “I’ll wait in the kitchen.”
Taking her hand, I stopped her. “I know I have no right to ask, but will you stay with me?”
She sat straight back down, not even having to think about it. Holding my good hand in hers, she provided silent support, nearly bringing me to tears again.
I didn’t deserve it, but I couldn’t face doing this by myself right now.
The doctor was efficient and confirmed two cracked ribs. He put new stitches in my leg since all but one had been ripped out. My cast would need to be replaced, but he’d come back the next day to do it.
Freya had stayed silent by my side, never letting go of my hand. Once the doctor was gone, I turned my head, my body too tired to move more than that. “Thank you so much. I know I don’t deserve it, but your support means everything right now.”
