“Fuck,” I breathe.
How could I have been so stupid?
How could I have thought she would be safe for even a second with that monster?
How could I have ever thought it was okay to punish her by selling her? Even if I thought somewhere deep down she wanted him?
How could I?
“We just wanted to let you know so you could have a doctor ready to look her over. Her blood pressure is low, her pulse and breathing are weak, but she’s alive. She hasn’t woken up yet.”
“I’ll have a doctor with me to retrieve her.”
“Good. Also wanted to let you know we don’t want your money.”
“Why not?”
“We do some shitty, evil things to make money, same as you. But we don’t hurt women; we don’t hurt the innocent. It’s one rule we never break and never tolerate. It’s why we hate Milo so much. He has no respect for women. This I will do for free.”
“Thank you. If you need any help putting Milo in his place let me know, I’d be more than happy to help,” I say, squeezing the phone hard, knowing ho
w badly I want to hurt Milo myself.
“Of course.”
We hang up.
“Change of plan. I’m not going to Surrender. I’m going with you to pick up Kai.”
“But—”
“I don’t care if Milo finds out I stole her back. He fucking hurt her.”
Langston and Zeke’s eyes grow big with pain.
“No one touches what’s mine. This is my fuck up. And I’m going to fucking fix it.”
WE MEET Rowan and his men in a back alley. It’s still daylight, but I doubt anyone will give us much attention.
I step out of the car and race over to the open door of the Escalade.
Kai.
“She’s alive,” Rowan says. I’m surprised he helped deliver her himself. This thing between him and Milo is personal.
“Thank you,” I say, holding back tears and anger.
I lift her limp body out of the car, and then run back to mine. I brought Dr. Patten with us to help take care of her on the way back. Langston and Zeke are driving in the front.
As soon as we are in the car, Langston takes off like we are an ambulance racing to the hospital.
I see the large cut on her neck, now tied together with stitches as I lay her head in my lap.
Dr. Patten starts checking her vitals, takes her blood pressure, and examines the wound.
“Should I head toward a hospital or home?” Langston asks as he drives.
I look to the doctor to determine Kai’s condition.