My phone rings, so I pull it out and bring it to my ear. “Zara.”
“Hi, Viper. How did it go? Are they safe?” she asks in a rush of words.
“They are.”
She blows out a breath. “Tell them to pack their belongings and I’ll be there soon.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks, Viper,” she says before the call is disconnected.
My attention goes back to the woman and child. “Can you pack your bags? The people at the Safe Haven will be here soon to pick you two up.”
She nibbles on her lip. “Can’t we stay here?”
I shake my head with a sad smile. “It’s not safe. He’ll be back.”
She bobs her head and turns, holding her child’s hand.
Twenty minutes later, they walk out with their luggage and sit on the porch while I wait by my bike. Zara pulls up in the new truck she purchased with the money Sophie’s family donated so that she can transport families from their homes to the charity.
I peer back at the mother and child. “Your ride’s here.”
The woman nods. “Thank you.”
As Zara gets out and slowly walks to them, my phone rings—it’s Bomber.
“Hey.”
“Meet me at the hospital.” He speaks fast, his voice stern.
Instantly my heart races and I briefly close my eyes. “Who is it?” I ask, fear softening my voice.
“It’s Sophie.”
I struggle to draw air into my lungs, like someone’s gripping my throat. I jump on my bike, pull the throttle back, and speed through the streets, feeling the rush of air on my face. All I can think is Sophie has to be okay… she just has to be.
By the time I reach the local hospital, Bomber is standing outside waiting for me. When I get up close to him, the sadness in his eyes levels me.
“What happened?”
He frowns. “She was beaten up.”
My hands clench by my sides. Anger and sadness twist at my insides. “Who the fuck would hurt her in this town, knowing who her family is and her connection with us? Once I find out who it was…” I chuckle darkly, wanting to cause pain to whoever hurt her, but right this minute I have to be with her.
He pats my back. “I know, brother. When Milly realized who her patient was, she called me because I’m family, so let’s go inside and see how Sophie is.”
We make our way to the lobby, where a nurse sits at the reception desk. Bomber talks to her while my chest gets heavy as thoughts of what could have happened play through my mind.
I drag my hands down my face as I curse myself. I should’ve stayed with her. Someone else could have gone to the woman and child. Sophie’s my wife, and I carelessly left her at the store.
Milly enters the lobby, and I rush to her. A frown mars her face.
“Tell me, is she okay?” Dread washes over me as I impatiently wait for an answer. Every second feels like a lifetime.
“We’ve done some scans and checked her out. She has a concussion and a few fractured ribs, and many superficial injuries. She also has some internal bleeding in her abdomen. If that doesn’t resolve, she’ll require surgery, so I want to keep her overnight to monitor her.”
I search the corridor. “Where is she?”
