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“Yeah. She’s with me. You make sure everyone knows. Yeah?”
Rose smiled knowingly. “Somehow, I don’t think that will be a problem. It’s pretty easy to see.”
I frowned at the woman, but she just smiled as she stepped farther into the room. “I’m going to help Stitches, Nyla.” She spoke deliberately to Nyla, and I was suddenly grateful to my brothers for sending Rose. She would help Nyla to know she wasn’t surrounded and that someone was watching out for her. “We’re not going to expose you. We’re not going to touch you in any way you don’t consent to, and never for anything other than clinical reasons.”
Stitches stood in the background watching Nyla without being too threatening. Abrasive or not, I couldn’t deny the man could read his patients correctly. There was no way Nyla could tolerate either of us in close proximity for long. Rose, with her sweet and gentle personality, would put her more at ease.
No one rushed her or tried more to coerce her. Rose’s smile was understanding and patient. Like she could wait all day for whatever answer Nyla gave. I was about to call a halt, to tell them all we’d wait until Nyla had rested when she turned her gaze to me. For a woman so vulnerable, she was fucking hard to read. More than anything I wanted her to be comfortable. I didn’t want her to feel like we were violating her all over again, but I needed to make sure she didn’t have an injury that needed immediate treatment.
“I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you, Nyla.” I tried to sound soothing when I was feeling anxious. My chest was tight with worry, and I wanted to will her to let Stitches check her over. “I’ll be right here.”
Finally, she nodded her head and slid her legs down the stretcher out in front of her, dropping her arms beside her. Her lower lip trembled ever so slightly before she tugged it inside her mouth with her teeth.
For several minutes Rose and Stitches fussed over Nyla. Rose washed any scrapes and cuts she had while Stitches gave instructions. The only time he invaded Nyla’s personal space was to listen to her heart and look into her eyes and ears. The rest of the time he let Rose be the one to take care of her.
“Fortunately, it doesn’t look like you’re physically harmed.” Nyla had denied the men had raped her, though she’d indicated they’d tried. Stitches crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke. He looked at me, but he was talking to Nyla. “You’re dehydrated and hungry, but otherwise there’s no lasting physical injuries. The mental trauma, however, is something altogether different. I don’t normally like to prescribe sleeping pills, but you may need something. I’ll also give you something for pain tonight so you can rest easier.”
Rose handed her a backpack. “There’s some essentials in there. Bathroom stuff, hairbrush, toothbrush, a couple changes of clothing. Underwear and socks still in the pack. If you need other things, just let me know.” Rose nodded at me. “Eagle can get a hold of Atlas. He’s my husband. I’ll make sure to get you mine and the other old ladies’ phone numbers tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Nyla’s voice was so soft I had to strain to hear. Rose smiled at her, squeezing her hand gently.
“Trust in Eagle. If he says you’re his, he’ll protect you with his last breath. All the men here are like that.”
Something inside me shifted. For weeks, I’d been immersed in the worst society had to offer. The sex ring I’d helped Grim Road take down made me want to kill and puke all at the same time. I left that job so very angry, needing to kill when that hadn’t been my job. I was the spotter. The tracker. I’d brought the men of Grim Road to their door only to back into the shadows and wait for instructions. Mostly, they kept me out of the action because I couldn’t handle violence and keep my sanity. Once I started fighting, I didn’t stop until I killed someone. Or everyone in the immediate vicinity. It was a fight or flight reflex I’d had since childhood, growing up on the streets. Fighting had always been life or death. And I loved living.
Now, all that anger and aggression was transformed into a protective force I wasn’t sure I was ready for. Every ounce of it focused on one small woman sitting beside me looking lost, hurt, and terrified.
No. Not on my watch. Challenge issued. Challenge accepted.
Chapter Two
Nyla
I didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know who to trust or what my next move was. Did I even have a move? I might have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. I had no idea where I’d been running to. My only thought was to find someone to help me. To get me away and someplace safe. I’d heard Mick and Caleb say this place was an MC. I assumed they meant motorcycle club, and figured I might as well figure out a way to kill myself right then because the rest of my life promised to be worse than death. Then I’d stumbled into the arms of Eagle. I didn’t exactly trust him and could almost feel the violence radiating from him. He wasn’t a safe man, to be sure.
