Chapter 26 #2
My heart freezes—not at me assaulting Theo being on camera, but because of what he did to Fox. I know it’s good, since it will prove Theo drugged Fox, but the idea of Fox being seen like that? “Nobody sees that who isn’t necessary,” I warn.
“Of course not,” he promises. “I’ll deliver it myself.” He hesitates. “I’m a big fan of yours. I promise I won’t let this get out. You should call your management so they can help deal with this.” He leaves, and I know he’s right.
I shoot off some texts as I take Fox’s hand again. “What is it?” he asks, concerned. “Are you being arrested?”
“Shh, it’s all okay. Just rest,” I assure him as I sit at his side, and the ambulance finally takes off toward the hospital.
It all moves quickly from there. We are taken to the back entrance, and once there, Fox is ushered into a private room and the next steps are explained.
He clings to me the entire time, until they politely ask me to leave.
I only do that when he nods and releases me, but I don’t go far, standing just outside of the door.
My knuckles are bloody, and they ache as I wring my hands nervously before me.
The paramedic from the ambulance stops in front of me. “You should get your hands checked out,” he tells me.
“Later,” I mumble distractedly, listening in case Fox calls my name.
“He’ll be okay. He’s very lucky to have you. He has no physical injuries,” the paramedic says softly. “Mentally, though . . . that will be another thing altogether, but with someone who loves him as much as you do, he’ll be okay.”
“Thank you,” I say as I look at Fox when the paramedic steps into the room.
They are going to take labs, his clothes, and pictures as evidence, and I hate that I can’t be in there with him.
My name is yelled, and I turn around to see Strike and Dash rushing toward me, still in pajamas. Tears fill my eyes when I see them. They smack into me, and I lean into them, letting myself be weak for a moment before I pull away.
They talk over each other as they fire off questions. “We got your texts. Where’s Fox? Is he okay?”
“He’s in there getting some tests done. He’s going to be okay.” I don’t know if I’m telling them or me. “Did you bring him some clothes?”
“Of course.” Strike lifts a bag, eyeing me. “What happened?”
I debate what to tell them, but they need to know. “Theo drugged and assaulted him.”
They are quiet for a moment, and then it seems to sink in, and the horror in their gazes gives way to the same anger I feel.
“I’ll fucking kill him!” Dash roars as he turns, and I expect Strike to hold him back, but Strike nods, rolling his sleeves back.
“I’ll help.”
“He’s been arrested,” I tell them. “We can’t do anything right now. Besides, I beat him to within an inch of his life.”
“Good,” Strike snaps before he softens. “Fox?”
“He . . . I’ve never seen him look like that,” I reply, tears in my eyes. “He looked so lost, so vulnerable.”
“He’ll be okay. Fox is strong,” Dash says, but he looks worried. “So what now?”
Po appears at our side. “I’ve been in contact with the police. Rumors are already circulating on social media. Someone took a picture of Ryker shielding Fox as he was led into an ambulance. We will have to address it at some point, but for now, our priority is Fox.”
Dash and Strike nod, and I spare them a glance. “I need to talk to Po. Can you wait outside the door? If he yells for me, come get me right away.”
“Of course.” They hurry over and stand guard outside the door, and I couldn’t love my bandmates more than I do in this moment.
Taking Po’s arm, I lead him away so no one can overhear what I’m about to say. “We need to protect Fox.”
“Of course,” he starts, but I shake my head and interrupt.
“No. I mean it, Po. If you spoke to the police, then you know what happened. I don’t care what it takes,” I warn.
“I want him in jail, and I want a restraining order against him. I don’t want him anywhere near Fox again.
Do you understand me? You will do this or I will walk away and take him with me.
You’re our manager, it’s your job to protect us, so do it.
” I turn away, only to turn back. “Another thing. Fox will be given as much time off as he needs. He will be given consideration and any help he requests. We will add new layers of protection for him, and you will be understanding and give him whatever he asks for. He has given everything for this band and your label. It’s your turn to do the same for him or you will lose Sanctuary, and we both know we are your big ticket right now. ”
We’ve spent a long time worrying about the label dropping us, but the truth I realized over the short tour is that they need us. With or without them, we will succeed. It’s time they stepped up.
“Of course, Ryker.” Po wrings his hands, looking far too upset. “I should have dealt with him in the first place. I’m so sorry. I will have the best lawyers on our side and get a press release?—”
“No, you will wait until Fox decides what he wants to disclose,” I snap.
“We need to announce?—”
“No,” I growl. “When and what he wants. Nothing before. This is his life and his story. You will not decide that for him, and neither will I.”
“If we are pressing charges, then it will be hard to keep it quiet,” Po cautions.
“Find a way if that’s what he wants. Take all my earnings, I don’t give a fuck. You give him that. Understood?”
He nods, looking shocked, and I swallow my anger. “I’ll do anything to keep Fox safe. If it’s a choice between his mental well-being and our band, then I will always pick him first.”
“Is he okay?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” I reply, my voice finally cracking, but he needs me to be strong right now.
He nods, his phone ringing in his pocket. “I’ll handle everything while you focus on him, okay?” I have to trust him to keep his word, so I head back to Strike and Dash, and we wait for Fox to come out.
It’s another hour or so before the door opens, and a very friendly nurse pokes her head out. “Ryker, he’s asking for you.”
I grab the bag of clothes and step inside. He’s behind a curtain in a hospital gown, and staff are bustling about on the other side.
“Okay, Fox, remember what we discussed, okay?” the nurse asks softly. “Ryker’s here.”
He looks up, his eyes wide, and in that moment, he looks so small and vulnerable. “Hi, baby,” I murmur softly. “Are you doing okay?”
He nods, but his lips tremble, and I don’t even bother with any more words.
I wrap him in my arms, and he sinks into my embrace.
His head presses against my chest as I hear the nurse and doctor leave the room, giving us space.
“You did so well, baby,” I murmur as I kiss his head.
“So fucking good. We can go home now. Strike and Dash are here. We’ll go home, and it will just be us, okay? ”
He nods, but his tears wet my shirt as his hand clutches my back.
“He didn’t . . .” His voice is soft, and I strain to hear him. “He didn’t fuck me. This is stupid. You got to me in time?—”
“He drugged you and touched you without your permission,” I snap before reining in my anger. “It doesn’t matter how far it went, Fox. What matters is that it happened, period.”
He nods, and I stroke his hair. “I won’t let him get away with it. I’ll keep you safe, and no one will ever touch you again,” I vow. I’d give up anything to keep him safe.
We sit like this, neither of us breaking apart, as his tears seem to fall more steadily, his back shaking.
I try to blink back my tears as I hold him in my arms. It’s his pain, but feeling him unravel breaks my own heart. The first tear falls silently down my cheek as he falls to pieces in my arms.
“That’s it, baby. Let it out,” I rasp. “Get it all out. I’m right here. You aren’t alone. We are all right here. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
I know whatever comes next won’t be easy, but I’ll be by his side the entire time.