by Hazel Gower
Dad knelt beside me. “We’ve called the ambulance. They’ll be here soon. You need to move, son, so I can check her pulse.”
I nodded numbly as my dad reached over and gently placed his fingers underneath her neck. “She’s alive, Stephan.”
I blinked. It hadn’t even crossed my mind she could be dead. I just knew she was hurt. Looking around now, I noticed Derick and three of the guards were gone.
“Brand and Royce went to see who was calling to her, and your bother and Owen went to flag down the police and ambulance.”
I couldn’t talk. I nodded and gazed down at my bruised and broken woman. Rage like nothing I’d ever felt before spread through me. I stood, and then stomped off in the directed we’d heard the voice. I knew Jade was safe with my dad but the dickhead who hurt her was fucking dead. I cleared the trees to see the pub and noticed Royce and Brand holding an old fat man who was trying to fight them.
Going to them, I let all my rage out. “Let him go. I want to beat him while he attempts to fight back.” Brand let go and stepped away but Royce studied me for a moment before he nodded to me and let go of the arsehole. I got right up in the bastard’s face. “You like hitting people who can’t defend themselves. They are half your goddamned size? Let’s see how well you fight with someone who can hit back and harder.” I punched him in the face dodging his fist. I repeated my action again aiming for his other eye. I smiled when I heard the crunch of his nose breaking. I kept hitting and punching until Brand pulled me off.
“You need to go. I can hear the sirens.”
I felt a lot calmer now as I stared at the beaten man. “How you gonna explain that?”
Brand shrugged then punched the concrete wall of the pub. “There we go. I defended myself and he fell a lot.”
Royce chuckled and I looked over to see him giving a filthy look to the scum doubled over. Royce glanced up at me. “Go, kid. We’ve got you covered. Your girl needs you.”
I ran back to where my dad and Jade. He was on the phone still sitting next to Jade. I plonked down on the other side of her. She groaned and I leaned forward. “Wanker, you’re here. I met your dad.”
My girl was okay if she was calling me names. “I’m here, little bit. I’ll never leave you.”
“I hurt,” she rasped out.
I swallowed the lump clogging my throat. “I know. I’m sorry.”
She didn’t answer and her eyes closed again.
“Stephan, you need to keep her awake. Don’t let her sleep. The ambulance is here now. I was told not to let her sleep.”
Crap, I didn’t know what to do to keep her awake without hurting her further. Leaning down, I gently brushed her hair away from her face. “Jade, you need to stay awake.”
“Mmm,” she groaned.
I needed her to stay awake. “I put the tracker on your phone and linked it to mine. It’s how I knew where to find you.”
“Hate you.”
I smiled and thanked God I knew how to press her buttons. “I bet you don’t. I bet you love me.”
“Err, dream on.” Her voice was getting fainter but she was still fighting with me.
I stroked her cheek and glanced at my dad who was still talking on his phone. “I do. They are all filled with you.”
A wretched sob escaped and tears slid down her cheeks. My heart crumbled at the sight. I’d never felt so useless. I sighed when I saw Derick and Owen guiding the paramedics to us.
The paramedic took in the situation and went to Jade. They went to work asking her questions trying to keep her awake. When she stopped they turned to my father who was still on the phone. Dad pointed to me and the paramedic turned back to me.
“Can you tell me about her? We need to get her out of here fast so walk with me.” Two paramedics lifted her onto a stretcher and I chased after them scared when she didn’t wake while they were moving her. “I got out of her that she is Jade Black, seventeen, and not allergic to anything that she knows of. I need to know if she has had anything broken before, and everything you can tell me that might help her.”
I was glad for the report I’d gotten on her and told them everything I knew. The police were near the road and I could see them talking to Royce and Brand, but I didn’t see the bastard. I got in the ambulance still talking. I wouldn’t leave her, they would have to pry me from her side.
*****
I knew why my dad had been on the phone. As soon as we’d arrived at the hospital a group of doctors took over. A nurse came over to me and dragged me from Jade. “She is in the best hands. I have no idea who she is but she must be important. They are our senior doctors and I’m told we have a doctor flying in from Sydney and arriving any minute.”
I owed my dad big time. He must have pulled favors and pushed his weight around. I paced the waiting room eager to hear any information on Jade. It was my mother’s arms coming around me that had me stopping. “Your father and I just became temporary guardians.”
Love spread through me as I looked down at my mum. My parents were awesome, repeating again that I owed my dad big time. I knew then for sure who the bastard was I beat. “It was her granddad, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. He is in custody and it doesn’t look like he’ll be released. The police searched his place. They got a tip and someone came forward claiming something. The police are now searching his property. They found a couple of judges happy to help them.”
“Thanks. I’m lucky to have you.”
My mum stretched up on tiptoes and brushed my hair out of my eyes. “I didn’t do anything, baby. It was all your father.”
I knew she was lying. The judges where Mum’s friends.
I don’t know how long I waited, but minutes passed by like hours. Derick and my dad soon joined my mother and me, and David and Owen were hovering around.
“How are Brand and Royce? They aren’t in trouble?” I didn’t want them arrested for what I did to Jade’s grandfather.
Owen smirked. “Nah, you didn’t get them into anything they can’t handle. I heard from Royce about ten minutes ago and he said the police seem preoccupied with what they’re finding at the pub, and the arresting officer saw how clumsy her grandfather was tripping and falling everywhere.”
I nodded and clenched my fist feeling my skin stretch over my cuts. I didn’t realize I’d hurt my hand when I was beating the arsehole.
Finally a doctor a friend of my parents, Steve Deed, came over and spoke to dad. “Jade’s in recovery. She had a stomach bleed, which we stopped and will monitor. Her appendix was damaged and we removed it. Her left arm is broken in two places and her right is sprained. Her jaw was dislocated and we have fixed it. She has stitches placed on the back of both her legs, but what we are most concerned about is her concussion. We can see from her scans she has been hit on the head several times. The records sent over show that she’s had several broken bones. I’ve spoken to DoCS and been told she was removed from two situations. I will be sending my assessment to them and the police.” The doctor’s eyes softened. “Lucas, Evelin, if you need anything to help keep the girl safe, don’t hesitate to ask. Poor girl needs a break.”
My dad shook Steve’s hand. “Thanks for coming, Steve. I hope your report and recommendations help.”
“That’s okay, Lucas. I’m glad I came and could help. I’m staying until she’s awake and out of the woods.”
Before Steve left, I asked, “When can I see her?”
“I’ll send a nurse to get you when she’s ready.” I nodded to Steve and watched him walk away.
I turned to my family, my mum had tears running down her cheeks and Derick looked dazed. Dad looked how I felt, furious. “I should have killed him. I should have moved her in as soon as I knew who she was to me.”
Mum hugged me. “This isn’t your fault, son.”
“Never again. I will listen to my instinct. Never again will I hesitate. Never again.”
Chapter Seven
Jade
My whole body hurt. I didn’t t
hink I’d ever been in this much pain before. I forced my eyes open to a white bright light but they barely moved. A sob rocked me and I fought to keep my tears contained. They wouldn’t help me. They never did. My head pounded and my body wouldn’t move. Moaning, I felt a heavy weight on my arm and I knew the feeling, it was a cast.
A face leaned over me. I couldn’t see any features. “Miss Black, you’re awake. Do you know where you are?”
I cleared my dry throat. “Hospital,” I rasped.
“Yes, you’re in recovery at Reed Creek Memorial Hospital. What is your pain at the moment? One being none at all to ten being extreme.”
“Hundred.” I was more than ten I knew.
“I will go get you some pain relief and tell the doctor you’re awake and we’ll look into getting you to a room.”
I didn’t say anything. I was in too much pain. I moaned, and closed my eyes again.
*****
I came in and out of consciousness a lot. I don’t remember much but pain. When I came to and my eyes finally opened enough for me to see, I let the tears fall and gave over to the despair.
“Little bit, are you in pain? Do you want me to get the nurse?”
I sobbed harder as soon as I heard his voice. “You’re here? Now you can see me for what I am…trash.”
“You are anything but, you’re my treasure. And I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Jade.”
I cried harder, because I didn’t want Stephan to ever see this side of my life. It was bad enough he was seeing me beaten and broken. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”
“What? Why?”
“I look terrible. Now you can see with your own two eyes how bad I am for you.” My heart broke he was seeing me like this. I bet the police were called. I’d be moved to foster care. At least I wouldn’t get hurt any worse from Stephan if they moved me.
“You are beautiful to me.” He stroked my cheek, which made me cry harder.
“I’m so sorry. So, so, sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? You have no reason to apologize.”
“Yes, yes I do. Not only am I sorry you saw me like this, but I’m sorry for leaving you.”
“What? You’re not making any sense. You didn’t leave me.”
“I’m going to. DoCS will take me. I won’t be able to be with you if I’m living so far away. You won’t want to be with me after this.”
“You’re not going anywhere, I promise. Even if you did, I would follow. I will always want to be with you.” He stroked my cheek and I leaned into his touch, basking in his comfort.
*****
I was going crazy. Stephan wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d been stuck in the hospital for five days. The police had come and questioned me. I couldn’t tell them anything besides the obvious of what Grandpa had done to me. I found out on the second day Grandpa had been arrested and would be going to jail for a long time. They’d gotten a warrant, searched the apartment and pub, and found all his drugs. He wasn’t even given bail. I’d never be going back to him. The police came to see me again and told me they would have more questions when they were ready. I cried for hours after I found out, not because I loved my grandpa or because I wanted to live with him. I cried because one door had closed for me. I now had no known family. I was now a State problem to deal with until I turned eighteen. I cried because I knew I’d be moved. I’d lose all my new friends and any chance I had with Stephan.
On the third day I was told who my new guardians were and I was pissed. “What the hell, Stephan. I have been worrying and upset over leaving all my new friends here and starting over again and you didn’t think to tell me your fucking parents have custody. I cried and wailed over it all and you never said anything.” Right then I wished he was closer and sitting next to my good hand so I could punch him.
The wanker shrugged. “I told you, you weren’t going anywhere. I told you I wouldn’t let you.”
“Argh, I didn’t think it meant me coming to live with you. How on Earth did your parents get custody? Do they have a foster care license?”
“Nope. They know a lot of people. Plus did you know your grandfather signed a document giving them custody?”
“No because no one told me.”
“I’m telling you now.”
“Grr, you drive me crazy. You know that right?”
The wanker shrugged again.
That was two days ago. Right now I was about ready to kill him. I was meeting his parents for the first time. They’d thought to give me time to recover a little before they introduced themselves. I was grateful. Supposedly I had met Stephan’s father, but I didn’t remember. The last thing I remembered from the other night was running from my grandpa.
Tomorrow, if all was still going well, they were releasing me. I wanted to get up and shower, the nurse had put a bag over my cast and I had waterproof dressings over the stitches on my legs. I’d been given a walking frame to help me get to the bathroom and to stay standing. My body was still battered and bruised. It hurt like a mother to walk and I’d only done it when Stephan wasn’t around to carry me.
Now I wanted to have my first shower, so I wouldn’t smell when I met his parents. I’d gotten a sponge bath from the nurses and they’d made Stephan leave, but he was refusing to leave now.
“No way, I’m not going. You need me in case you fall in the shower.”
“There is a nurse call button if that happens, and I won’t fall cos I have the walker.”
“I said no.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
I eased off the bed and grabbed the walker. He took it from me and lifted me into his arms. “Put me down now, Stephan. I can walk to the shower.”
“No. You can’t walk to the shower or stand for that long. You either walk to the shower and I stand watching you in the shower, making sure you don’t fall, or you let me carry you and I wait with the curtain closed.”
“Argh, I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
He was right, but I’d never admit it to him. I looked over at the nurse’s button, wondering how long they would take to come if I pressed it. They’d help me get him out.
“Don’t even think about it. I’m taking you to the shower. I’ve already put clean underwear, a nighty, and other girly stuff Mum thought you’d need.”
“Ah, what a sweet thing to do.”
Stephan shook his head. “She’s sweet? And me who’s been looking after you isn’t?”
“Your mum isn’t pissing me off now by taking over and being bossy. I bet she’d listen if I told her I could walk to the bathroom and shower on my own.”
“I bet she would, but I’m not my mother. So tough luck for you.” He walked with me in his arms to the bathroom, sitting me on a seat he’d placed in there. I rolled my eyes heavenward praying for patience. He turned on the shower taps fiddling with them. “Okay. It should be perfect temperature now.”
I raised my eyebrow, because really, I could get my own water to the temperature I wanted. Stephan stared at me and I glared back. I crossed my arms over my chest, which was hard to do with a cast, and gave my best death stare. I wasn’t taking my gown off until he left. No way was he seeing me naked…er again.
“Do you need me to help you undress?”
“No. Get out.” He didn’t move so I stood, hobbling toward him. “Out now, Stephan, or so help me God I will kill you.”
The wanker smiled. “Okay, little bit, I’ll be out the door. Call me when you get in the shower.”
Ha, I wasn’t going to call him. He left and shut the door and locked it, grinning at my win.
Stripping out of my hospital gown and underwear was a workout. I slowly made my way back to the running water and eased under it, wincing when it hit my still tender flesh. I was glad Stephan wasn’t in the bathroom. He would have freaked when I’d winced and taken me out. He’d become more overbearing than ever. I told myself over and over he was looking after me, but today it wasn’t helping.
At the side I not
iced a pink overnight bag. Opening it I saw everything I could ever need. The bag was stuffed full of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face scrub, bunch of creams, a new toothbrush, and toothpaste. She’d even added a small sewing kit, and a miniature manicure set. I stayed in the shower for as long as I could and used most of my new things.
I sighed and got out when I heard, “I’m coming in now if you don’t answer me. I’ll break the fucking door if I have to.”
Turning off the shower, I wrapped the towel around me and yelled, “I’m fine. Stay calm and don’t even think of coming in here.”
When I didn’t hear anything back I dried myself and went to over to a very expensive looking pink and black suitcase. I opened it and groaned, if it was all very girly. I was a jeans and t-shirt girl, sometimes I wore a skirt and heels, but these, were, well they were something. They were all in my size and every piece was name brand. I picked out pink panties. The matching bra was nice but I knew with my cast I’d never get it on, well not while I was still bruised and in pain. Rummaging through I found a bunch of silk and satin PJs. Picking out the one that covered the most, I put the top on and the pants using the seat to help my balance.
Taking a deep calming breath, I hobbled to the door, gritting my teeth as the pain in my legs made themselves known, and I opened the door. I stood still because I knew if Stephan saw me move he’d flip.
He gave me a slow appraisal. “You look cute.”
I knew I still looked like shit, all purple, black, and yellow, but I had to pick my fights so there was no point in arguing. “Thanks. It’s nice of your mum to lend me her clothes.”
“Oh she didn’t lend you anything. She bought you everything and had them washed and ready for you.”
“What? You’re joking, right? She can’t have. She would have spent a fortune. They’re all big name brands.”
He shrugged. “She did. Everything is yours, even the suitcase.” He came to me, picked me up, and wrapped my good arm around him. “She’s excited. Silly thing even painted a bedroom suite for you. I told her you were staying in my room with me.”
