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“Oh. Good.” Her fellow prisoner’s shoulders slumped. “You’re lucky.”
Swallowing around a thick throat, Brenna nodded. “I am.” Tears rolled down her face as she imagined the horror the other woman suffered. Now, with first-hand knowledge of the fear and disgust the unwanted touch brought, her heart cracked in half. Kelsie had been through what Brenna had and so many more horrors.
“You took my place,” Kelsie whispered. “Why did you do that? You shouldn’t have done that.”
Lock would be flipping his shit if he heard that. “You suffered enough, honey. I couldn’t let you go through more.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she whispered again.
This was a conversation for another time. “Kels, can I hug you?”
The woman stared at her for a long moment before nodding once.
Victory. “I’ll need you to put the knife down first.”
She flicked her gaze to Spec.
“He won’t touch you at all.” Brenna walked into Kelsie’s line of sight, blocking Spec, who growled in frustration. “I promise. No one will touch you but me. These men here are good. They’ve gotten rid of everyone who hurt you. They’re all gone, and you are safe.”
She had no idea how true that was, but the Handlers would keep them safe and eliminate any threat they might encounter.
“We need to move soon,” Spec whispered behind her so low Kelsie wouldn’t hear. “We’ve been here too long.”
“Mm.” She made the noise in agreement before taking another step toward Kelsie.
“Brenna…” Lock’s worried voice came from the door.
“That’s my boyfriend,” she said with a smile for Kelsie. “He’s a little overprotective, and he’s worried I’ll get cut by your knife.”
“Oh.” Kelsie’s eyes dropped to the blade, then widened as though she’d forgotten she held it. Then she let her arms fall limp at her sides. The blade slipped from her fingers, clattering on the floor a split-second before Kelsie crumpled in a heap of sobs.
Brenna dove forward, wrapping her arms around her before she could hit the floor while Spec darted forward to grab the knife. She held Kelsie as she cried. “It’s o—” She almost said it was okay, but it wasn’t. It wouldn’t ever be okay. “It’s over,” she said instead. “I’ve got you. No one will hurt you.”
A gentle hand landed on her back, stroking upward with a touch she’d recognize anywhere.
Lock.
She looked at him over Kelsie’s head.
“You’re fucking incredible,” he mouthed, making her smile.
Pulse appeared on her other side. “Do you think she’ll let me check her over?”
“No. Not yet, but maybe if we take her back to the clubhouse, I can talk her into it on the way over.”
“Bren,” Lock said with a frown. “You need to go to a hospital. Both of you do.”
“I will,” she said, pleading with her eyes. “If Pulse thinks I need to go.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Lock muttered but nodded. “That’s what I get for falling for a badass.”
“I will not bullshit, brother. If she needs to go, I’ll tell you,” Pulse said in solemn promise.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Lock said.
Sweeter words had never been spoken. “Yes. Let’s.”
Kelsie tried to stand, but her trembling knees kept buckling. With her ribs screaming, Brenna wouldn’t be able to help hold her up.
