I did not move even as Amber was led away in handcuffs, screaming curses at me. I did not care about the blood that was getting onto my clothes as I cradled Helen in my arms. I looked up angrily as I felt hands trying to take her from me.
“No!”
“We want to help her, Mr. McLean. We need to get her to the hospital.”
Reluctantly, I allowed the paramedics to take over. They checked her vitals and immediately got her on a stretcher. I held Helen’s hand the entire time, gripping it for life, refusing to be separated from her.
We exited the bar and Candace came rushing over, some of the color back in her face.
“Is she okay?” She asked.
“We are going to do our best,” a paramedic assured her as we neared the ambulance.
Samson began frantically barking from my truck a few spots away. I let go of Helen’s hand while they loaded her in. They began to shut the doors.
“No,” I stopped them. “I’m coming with.”
“Me too,” Candace chimed in from beside me.
“Miss, we need to take you in for questioning,” the commander told Candace.
She looked up at me, desperation in her eyes. She didn’t want to leave Helen’s side and it warmed my heart.
“Go ahead. I’ll go with Helen and you can meet me at the hospital with Samson as soon as you are done.” I kissed Candace’s forehead and squeezed her tight.