Chapter 17 #2
I bite the inside of my cheek, a little nervous about the hands of strangers touching me. I never had an issue with doctors before, but of course, now I don’t know who or what to trust.
“Can you stay with me?”
“If you need me to, I will be there, sweetheart.”
I grip his arm a little tighter and lean my head into his shoulder.
I feel like if I close my eyes, I will cross into the vast nothingness of sleep.
Before I can answer sleep’s calls for me, I desperately need a shower.
I’m covered in dirt and cuts. I trail my fingertips down the gash on my bicep, shivering at the memory.
My hair is caked in dirt and blood, too.
“Did they… Did he…?” Hayden doesn’t have to finish that sentence for me to know what he’s asking.
I drop my gaze to the gravel road beneath our feet. “Will it change what you think of me if I answer?”
Hayden’s footsteps falter, and he releases my arm to hold my upper arms, rubbing them in a soothing motion.
“Kelsey…No, absolutely not.” His eyebrows pinch in disbelief, but immediately soften.
“You’re so strong and incredibly badass.
What we saw on that footage… Fuck, I love your sass.
” Seconds later, his lips are on mine. His hands move up to cup my jaw, and he pulls me closer, my chest to his belly.
Butterflies flutter wildly in my belly, and my ears buzz with desire.
I part my lips, and he takes advantage, invading my mouth with his tongue.
His minty taste from his gum earlier is like lungs full of fresh air.
He devours me, and I get lost in him—the kiss.
A throat clears ahead of us. Theo stands with his rifle resting upright in one arm and a lit cigarette in the other hand. “Y’all kids done smoochin’?”
A sheepish grin pulls my lips. I dart my tongue out, licking my bottom lip and feeling those flutters again when I taste Hayden’s minty gum.
“You got another one I could have?” I could kill for a cigarette or a joint right now.
I’ve never gone this long without one in almost three years since I started.
He pulls his pack out from his cargo pants pocket and holds it out for me between his fingers.
I take it, placing the familiar filter between my lips.
“Got a lighter?” I mumble through the cigarette.
He pulls one out from the same pocket and flicks it open.
I lean in, light the tip, and inhale deeply.
My eyes roll back with my exhale. It feels so good.
Hayden and Theo chuckle at me, but I ignore them and enjoy my moment.
“The motel is right up the road, only a few minutes away.” A distant voice says, I’m lost in my own anxious thoughts, staring out the window at the passing moonlit trees.
I bite my nails vigorously until I taste the blood pooling beneath what remains of my nails.
I think I like the pain. It distracts me from the deeper pain that I can’t so easily numb.
I’m scared, no, terrified of the medics.
I know in the back of my mind that they aren’t crooked like Graves and they genuinely want to help. I just can’t shake the feeling.
“Do you think Ryder’s okay?” Nobody has heard from him yet, and although it’s only been thirteen minutes, I worry. He never said what he was going back down for, so my mind is racing with concern.
Hayden huffs a laugh, “Trust me, he’s fine.”
The car parks in front of the motel. It’s far from a five-star resort, but anything is better than where I just came from. My anxiety peaks the closer we get to the medic van, and my body begins to tremble. Hayden laces his fingers between my clammy ones and gently squeezes.
“It’s okay, I won’t leave your side unless you tell me to.” He says, sensing my discomfort. I smile tightly in response.
“Oh my God, Kelsey!!” A feminine voice screams from across the somewhat empty parking lot.
My head snaps in their direction, mouth gaping as I peer back at no other than Jessie. I can’t force the words out of my mouth. All I’m capable of is what sounds like a squeak as hot tears stream down my cheeks. She sprints across the lot and slams into me in a tight hug.
“You have no idea how fucking happy I am to see you right now!!” She exclaims. Warm droplets run down my shoulder, and when she pulls back, gripping my shoulders, I find her face covered in tears, too.
Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen as if she’s been crying for hours.
She brings her hand up to swipe away the tears.
“Are you okay?” She asks stuffily while frantically searching my body. She gasps when she discovers my blood-caked hair and abused knees and elbows.
“I’m fine. Promise.” I know better than to lie to Jessie. She reads me like an open book. But I guess she isn’t going to interrogate me further, hopefully seeing the fatigue written all over my face and body. She gives a tight-lipped smile, and then a large figure is walking up behind her.
“Uhh…” I point my shaking finger behind her shoulder. She looks over her shoulder, studying the man for a second. Then she waves him over with a big smile.
“Hayden, Kelsey.” She lets go of my shoulders to grab the man by the arm, pulling him to move him faster, although it looks like a kitten trying to pull a tiger. “This is Noelle.” She introduces, gleaming as if she’s showcasing a diamond.
“And who the Hell is Noelle?” Hayden’s tone is dark and sends a shiver down my spine. He takes a protective step in front of me. His hand pushes me further behind him, but I pop my head around his side, trying to see this Noelle guy.
“Oh, stop being intimidating, Hayden. He’s a new recruit. He’s how I got over here safely. I wasn’t coming alone, and I damn sure wasn’t staying home.”
Yeah, I definitely don’t blame her for either of those choices.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stay alone somewhere again.
I wonder if my parents are worried about me or if they think I’m off with my friends.
I would call them, but those fuckers took it when they abducted me.
No telling where it’s at. Those sick fucks probably already broke into it and are jacking off to my nudes—or selling them.
I cringe thinking about my naked body being on the dark web without my knowledge or consent.
“I don’t give a fuck if he’s the holly jolly Santa Claus, do you really think now is the time to be bringing in new recruits? Especially here?”
“Shouldn’t you be getting Kelsey to the medics?” She retorts. Hayden’s face is drawn tight, every muscle in his neck pops as he gives one last assessing glare at Noelle before turning to guide me to the place I’ve been dreading.
“Hi, Hun. My name’s Alice and I’ll be taking care of you today.”
Her voice is smooth as satin and comforts my nerves in a way I can’t describe. Her slow, calming motions are refreshing to the fast-paced action I’ve borne witness to all day.
“How are you feeling? Teegan already sent me the footage of some of your injuries, but could you tell me a little more?” She coaxes gently. She unwraps an IV catheter kit and prepares to hook me up. She must have read the panic on my face, “Would you like something to calm your nerves?”
First, who is Teegan, and how did he get footage of me getting my injuries?
What else did he see? Oh God, hopefully not me naked.
How many people will have seen my bare ass and pussy by the time this is over?
Secondly, I have been drugged enough. I don’t want anything else that could make me less functional.
“I hurt. All over and no thanks.”
“After I get your IV running, I’ll take some X-rays and do a physical exam. I’ll ask you a few personal questions, and it’s up to you if Hayden stays or if you’re more comfortable alone.”
“He stays.” I rush out and reach for his hand.