Fuck.
“What happened and how’s Talin?” What I actually want to ask is if he killed the bastard.
“The asshole got Megan; he was waiting for her when she left her father’s house. Thankfully, Talin was with her and managed to subdue him. They’re both fine.”
I sigh in relief. “Good. You both did a good job on this.”
“Thanks. So what’s up with you? Did you talk to Yoreli?”
I told my brother’s about her and they were freaked out to say the least, especially as they know how young she is. Talin understood and didn’t say anything, just told me to be cautious and look after her. Cage took it the hardest; she’s younger than him and he’s pissed.
“Yeah.” I scrub my hand down my face as I get ready to tell him what’s happened. “We’re in the hospital. She’s in a bad way, Co. That fucking bitch has been beating her for years. Her entire back is fucking black and blue, not to mention her face.”
“What the fuck? What hospital are you at?” he demands to know, and I can hear talking in the background. I tell him where we are and the talking in the background gets louder. “We’re on our way. We’ll see you soon.”
I don’t answer him because the doctor walks out, her face stoic and I hate that I can’t fucking read her. I end the call and shove my cell into my pocket. “Doc?”
She glances between Lance and I, and Lance gets to his feet and walks away, giving us privacy. “Mr. Princeton, how well do you know Ms. Maine?”
“I’ve known her for a long time, but when her father died, her step-mother took her away. Tell me, doc; how bad is it?”
She swallows harshly and I look at her, really look at her and brace at what I see. Her eyes sharp and full of worry, her jaw tense as she stares at me almost as if she’s finding the right words to say. “Mr Princeton…”
“John,” I interrupt her.
She nods sharply. “John, I managed to speak to Ms. Maine before she fell asleep. She told me what’s been happening.”
My anger comes back. “Yeah, that fucking bitch has been beating her.” We should never have left her alone for so long. I should have gone with my gut and searched for her.
“John, it’s more than the physical abuse that Ms. Maine has suffered.”
I sigh. “Yeah, doc, I know, she’s been verbally and emotionally abused too. I want her to get counseling to help her.”
“Well, yes, but John, it’s worse than that.” Her voice has gone softer and I clench my jaw.
No fucking way.
“Ms. Maine has also been sexually abused; from the little that she told me, she was sexually tortured. Just talking about it caused Ms. Maine to have an anxiety attack. She believes that her step-mother is going to kill her.”
I lock my knees so that I don’t crumble to the floor. That fucking bitch. I’m going to kill her.
“No one is going to hurt her again,” I vow, and I’ll die before I let anything happen to her again.
She nods. “She’s got a herniated disk; it’s what’s causing her the pain. I’ve got her on bed rest as well as anti-inflammatory medication. We’re going to keep an eye on her. She’ll need physical therapy and an injection of cortisone. If it’s not resolved in six weeks, she may need surgery.”
I nod. “Thank you, doc. Can you please put us in contact with a counselor?”
“Of course; I’ll give you my recommendations.”
Before she can leave, I ask her something that has been on my mind since I took her from that awful fucking place she calls home. “She’s scared; how can I help her?”
The doctor gives me an encouraging smile. “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll break through eventually. It may take some time.”
I don’t give a fuck if it takes the rest of my life. Reli is mine and I’m going to make sure that she never gets hurt again. “Thanks, doc. Can I see her?”
“She’s sleeping at the moment, so as long as you don’t wake her you should be fine.” I think there’s a warning in there somewhere. I thank her again and watch as she turns to leave.
“John?” Lance calls. I turn at his voice and see that he’s not alone. My entire family is with him too. “How is she?” he asks, his face etched with worry.