He smiled and said, “I didn’t save her. She saved herself and the girl. I just gave them a ride.”
Confused, I jogged to Sadie and Gunner.
“Where is she?” I asked, and Sadie nodded to Gunner’s closed door. Just as I went to enter, Gunner stopped me.
I gave him an angry look, curious why he was stopping me, when he explained, “The girl is with her, and Doc is checking them both out. As soon as he’s done, you can go in.”
“Who is this girl?” I asked as I raked my hands through my already frazzled hair.
Sadie stepped closer and lowered her voice as noise from behind me grew in volume. “There was a girl, who I’m guessing is about sixteen, being held with her. I don’t know all the details, but from the look in Stella’s eyes, the girl was being held against her will.”
“Fuck,” I replied and began to pace the room.
Gunner left us, and I turned to see what was getting his attention. Devlin and James were walking across the room toward me, but Lucian was standing near the open doorway, not entering the clubhouse. Gunner had forbidden his entry and the ever-growing group of Death Hounds were keeping hm away.
Sadie looked across the room then back to me before asking, “Do you think Lucian is as bad as everyone thinks?”
“Honestly, I don’t know anymore. A month ago, I would have said yes, but after speaking with him . . . I just don’t know,” I answered and stared at the closed door, willing it open.
Devlin and James joined us outside the door, and Sadie urged us to move farther away while we waited. Sadie was always looking out for the ladies in the club, and if she was being so forceful with us, she must have had suspicions about what Stella and the girl had experienced.
I prayed she wasn’t violated again, but if she was, I would hold her every day, reminding her how much she was loved and helping her heal. The thought of someone taking from her again was almost too much to bear, and I found myself pacing again.
Doc stepped out a few minutes later, and I rushed to him as he pulled the door closed behind him. He looked at me before glancing at Devlin and James.
Sadie stepped to the side but was close enough to hear as Doc explained, “She has a large contusion on the back of her head and will have a hell of a headache for a few days. I don’t see any signs of a concussion.”
“Was she . . .” I couldn’t even ask the question, so when he shook his head, I exhaled some of the worry.
“How’s the girl?” Sadie asked with concern.
“Her name is Carla, and physically, she’s fine. Mentally may be another story,” Doc reasoned.
I lowered my voice and asked, “Who is she?”
He shrugged and replied, “That’s for you to figure out.” His remark was aimed at Devlin, and the madman nodded in confirmation.
“Can I see her?” I asked, and he nodded before walking toward the bar.
Doc was a good man who saw too much in his time overseas. He carried a burden none of us could understand, so when he needed a drink or two, no one said anything to him. He was always there for the club, the old ladies, or anyone who needed help, but when he was finished, he drowned the memories in a bottle.
I walked to the door and heard Stella speaking softly to the girl. Not wanting to scare them, I knocked before slowly opening the door. Peeking my head inside, I saw Stella sitting on the leather couch with a tiny girl sitting beside her. Stella snapped her head over her shoulder, only to jump from the couch when she realized it was me.
She ran into my arms and began to cry on my shoulder as I squeezed her tightly to me. I needed to feel her to make sure she was real and it wasn’t a dream. She trembled in my hold, and I kissed the side of her head as she began to calm down.
“Are you okay, darlin’?” I asked, and she nodded against my chest.
Slowly, she released her strong hold and looked up at me with bloodshot eyes. “It was Araneta,” she began. “She used a stun gun on me, and when I woke up, I . . .”
I pulled her close to me again and never wanted to let her go. Reluctantly I released my hug and looked over at the girl on the couch. “Do you want to introduce me to your friend?”
She nodded and stepped back before wiping her eyes. Stella moved back to the couch and took the small girl’s hands into hers as she said, “This is Carla. Carla, this is Colton, and he’s my—”
“I’m her husband, and it’s nice to meet you, Carla,” I interjected, making sure to not get too close.
“Nice to meet you,” she said softly, and I watched as she pulled her sleeves farther down her arms, trying to hide the bruises I’d already observed.
The girl was small in size, underweight, and looked like she’d been abused for a long time. Whoever she was, she was now under the protection of not only me but the entire club. I squatted down and spoke calmly as I told her, “You never have to worry about anything ever again. We’re here to help you, and I promise, you’re not alone anymore.”
