by Dace Everan
Keena shook her head. “He was yelling. I had to run, he was going to get the whips out…” she sobbed. “Then the knives, the knives always come after the whips.” Her eyes met his. “I can’t do that anymore. I can’t…couldn’t let him cut me. No more. Please, George, help me!” she cried.
George nodded. “I will, sugar. I’m right here. You just have to wait till the paramedics come and clean you up.”
Keena nodded. “I know. They did that last time,” she whispered, eyes darting back up. “Maybe I’ll see Paula again? She was so kind to me in there.”
George narrowed his eyes. Paula knew what had happened to her and hadn’t told him! What in the fuck was wrong with that woman? How could she not have said anything, warned him that this is the life Keena was hiding, running from? Fuck! Why had he not seen it himself? He knew she was a coltish little thing, but this! He shook his head. He could not have imagined this kind of terror following her.
Jazz gave George’s shoulder a squeeze. Hearing that his sister-in-law knew about Keena’s past was not helping George right now. “Relax, friend. We’ll get through this. Paula had her reasons for not talking,” he assured George.
* * * *
George paced in the waiting room at the hospital. He had followed the ambulance from the shelter. When they arrived, they rushed her off to a room with nurses, a female cop, and a social worker. He wasn’t sure why the social worker was there. More shit he didn’t know about and couldn’t be prepared for. He hated not being prepared.
Jazz handed him a coffee. “Three sugars, one cream. Even managed to get the good cream,” he offered. George nodded his thanks and continued pacing. “I drove by her place on the way here. Like she told me, blue Rolls Royce out front,” Jazz informed him. It took all he had not to pull in and see if the fucker was still in there. He figured he wouldn’t be, that he would have followed her on foot and just hadn’t made it back to her place. Douchebag probably got lost following her. He was pretty sure Keena had been smart enough to zigzag throughout the city, probably confusing herself just as much her captor.
George’s lips twitched. “He must not think she would run to the authorities,” he pondered aloud. Why had she not gone to the authorities?
Jazz inhaled a breath, making his big shoulders move. “Or most of the blood on her isn’t hers,” he offered, eyes darting to meet George’s. It was something they needed to face. She could have killed this fucker. She could end up in prison for fucking murder when all she was doing was defending herself. They had to see that.
George clenched his teeth. “It would serve the bastard right,” he growled.
Jazz furrowed his brows. “You might want to get a lawyer lined up.” Rich people didn’t get killed by little girls and get away with it. From the looks of his car, this guy had money, and lots of it. Jazz was pretty sure his family would look for justice, even if it was their sick kid who had fucked up here. He inhaled another calming breath. All he could do right now was keep George calm and level-headed until he was able to see Keena.
The social worker was the first to come out. George stood from his perch on the windowsill. Jazz had pestered him to sit for the last hour and this was the closest he would give his friend. “How is she?” he asked.
The worker smiled, holding her hand out. “Hi, the name’s Regan. Can I ask you a few questions, Mr.…?” She paused, waiting for him to give her his name.
“Keepher, George Keepher,” he murmured, nodding.
Regan took a seat, opening her portfolio. “How long have you known Miss Alverez, Mr. Keepher?”
George looked at her. “A month?” He shrugged.
Regan nodded, shuffling through her papers. “Have you ever seen this little girl with her?” she asked, pulling out a photo of a little girl with big brown eyes and the curliest brown hair. She was a miniature replica of Keena.
George’s heart dropped and he was sure his face paled. He shook his head. She had a daughter. A little girl was out there somewhere all alone without her mommy. This wasn’t right. What the hell was going on? He felt sick. There was no way a child should be away from its mama.
“Miss Alverez took her from her ex-husband five months ago. The two disappeared off the face of the earth, then we received an anonymous call that she was here,” Regan filled in as she placed the photo back in her file.
George narrowed his eyes. Had David made the call? Was he trying to get caught? Or was he trying to get Keena caught for kidnapping and whatever else the shitface could pile on? What sick fuck would do that to another human?
Regan turned her full attention to George. “David and Keena were divorced last year. He was given full custody of their daughter.” She averted her eyes. “Their son died a year ago, and that is still under investigation.”
George paled. She also had a child that had died? He was going to be sick. He settled in the chair across from the social worker. His Keena had been through hell and all by herself, and the only thing he had thought to do with her was fuck. Guilt filled him and that sick-to-the-gut feeling returned in force. Why had she even bothered calling him? He was no better than this sick fuck making her life a living hell.
Regan sat up straighter. “Either way, when the hospital releases her, she will be apprehended and held.”
George shot to his feet. “The hell she will! Did you see her face?” No way was he letting her get into the hands of these people! This couldn’t be right. Keena was the victim, not this shitbag David!
Jazz stood, placing a calming hand on George’s shoulder. “Miss Regan, I need you to leave please,” Jazz ordered, turning George away from the woman. He ignored her grumbling in favor of keeping George calm. When she was gone from the waiting room, Jazz led George to the window sill.
“We need to call Jared. He will help fix all this, George. Maybe if we can talk to the doctor?” Something needed to be done and quick. Jared had connections in the city. He knew people. He wouldn’t hesitate to help Keena and George. That was the type of person Jared was. He knew good people when he saw them and Jared knew Keena was good people.
George nodded. Yes, Jared would help. Jared had a clearer mind. He could make this all easier for Keena. He had always been the most level-headed of the brothers. He grasped Jazz’s shoulder for support, his mind processing everything he had just learned.
Jazz pulled out his cell, giving his friend’s shoulder a comforting squeeze. “I’ll call Jared. You go see if they’ll let you in yet.” He needed to have George doing something. George was not the type to stand by calmly. The fact that he’d been able to sit here the last few hours was a miracle.
George nodded. He didn’t know what else to do. Keena was in trouble and he didn’t know what the hell to do.
Chapter Ten
Keena hugged the flowery gown closed. She glanced at George. He looked pissed off, standing on the other side of the room while the doctor whispered something to him. Keena cringed at the dark look marring his face. They hadn’t allowed him in during the examination.
Hot tears rolled down her face. She sniffed, wiping them away. She had heard him outside the door cursing at the nurses, demanding to be allowed in, and now, he just stood there listening to the doctor speaking to him in a hushed voice and glaring at her. She’d screwed up. He didn’t want to be here. He was mad that she had dragged him into this mess.
The door to her room opened and Paula burst through. “How the hell did you let this happen, child?” Paula uttered, crossing to her and then hugging her close. “Told you, you go to the authorities and you tell them everything. You call every time he hit you! Shit, Keena. They cannot do anything if you have nothing on him. You should have called the authorities last night!” she chastised.
Keena burst out in uncontrollable sobs, covering her face with her hands. This was all her fault. She should have remembered what Paula had told her, should have been more careful. How any times would she have to go through this hell before she got it right? Would she make it throug
h alive the next time he came? She had to. Her heart stuttered. She had to, for her baby girl.
Paula pulled Keena’s hands away from her face, making Keena look at her. “Don’t you dare go back there, Keena!” she ordered.
Keena shook her head. “Tired, Paula. I can’t do this anymore,” she cried. She couldn’t carry on like this. She didn’t have the strength to go through this anymore. She couldn’t…No, she had to go through this. She needed to fight. She had to think of Carmine. She would survive this, and when it was all over she would have her little girl and be safe.
Paula harrumphed, dropping the bag she carried on the bed next to Keena and hugged her close. “Swear to God, I’m hunting the bastard down and killing him.” She glared back at the doctor. Oh, thank fuck it was her doctor. “Tell me you have something to put on this bastard?”
Her doctor nodded. Paula gave a curt nod. It was one of those situations where it was good to have something, but horrible at what it cost a soul to get it.
Paula looked at George. “George, come. Get her dressed. We’re taking her home. I called Daddy. He has his lawyers going off on that worker.” She cupped Keena’s face. “We’re going to find little Carmine. You’ll have your baby girl back,” she promised, and, goddammit, she would go to the ends of the earth to get Keena’s baby girl back to her.
Keena burst out in another set of tears.
* * * *
George led Keena up the stairs to his place, his grip light but steady. Paula grumbled behind them about too many stairs. George glanced back. “What the hell does my brother see here?” She smiled sweetly and George couldn’t help but grin. “You’re a pain in the ass,” he decided, and she was! The biggest, sweetest pain in the ass he had ever met. He knew his brother loved Paula. He could never understand fully why, but watching her in the hospital room, the boisterous attitude lightening up the moods in the room at the right moment, the way she took command and made sure Keena was able to leave the hospital in complete comfort, how she had mothered her and helped her into his car, assuring her that he was going to take care of her and fix all this mess…he could better understand.
The tears and guilt that had entered Keena’s eyes throughout her ordeal had torn at his heart. He had no reason to help her and she knew it. Fuck, he knew it, but there was something special about his Keena, and he was going to damn well make sure she was safe until this ended. He would make sure that she was safe, that her daughter was safe, and both of them would go unscathed for the rest of this. He didn’t care what it took. He promised she and her daughter would be safe.
Paula nodded. “I’ll take that. I’ve been called worse,” she shared. Her step was a little lighter as they continued up George’s atrocious stairs. God, she did hate his never-ending stairs. His home was beautiful, but no one should have to work out to get to his house, and this was a goddamn workout. They had stopped by Keena’s apartment and picked up a few things. She carried a small bag while George carried a suitcase filled with what little clothes Keena owned.
The place had been trashed, blood splattered everywhere, and Keena’s bed…Paula had trembled at the sight of that bed, the broken ropes, and the blood. She was sure she would have nightmares about that bed and the things that had happened on it. Keena’s clothes were tattered and strewn about the room. They had said there were three sets of different DNA found on and in her. Jazz’s DNA was on her, but he had hugged her when he had found her, so they made sure to note that in her file for the record.
Deeogee whined as George unlocked the door. “Shit, poor dog,” he murmured. He really should take some time off for the poor girl. He led Keena across the room, helping her ease onto the couch, all but cringing as she stiffened. He had seen the marks covering her body. He knew what those sick fucks had done to her.
Deeogee pushed at George’s leg, trying to get closer to Keena until she was finally able to rest her head on Keena’s lap. Keena put a hand on Deeogee’s soft head. George knelt next to her. “Keena, look at me, sugar,” he whispered.
Keena met his gaze, tears falling down her face.
George caressed her cheek. “You’re safe here,” he whispered.
Keena nodded. “I had to take her. He would have hurt her. He said he would hurt her.” George nodded, taking hold of her hands. Keena sniffled, eyes closing. “I can’t see her till I know he’s gone. I can’t chance him finding out where she’s at,” she whispered. She had to keep her daughter safe.
George nodded. They would work on that one slowly. “The lawyer is going to come out here and talk to you, Keena. You need to tell him everything.” He studied her features and hoped to hell she understood what he was trying to say here.
Keena nodded. She knew that. She had been through this before. She didn’t want to share anymore. They hadn’t done anything the last time. Why would they now?
George tugged the blanket off the back of his couch and draped it around her slender shoulders. He watched as she curled up, hugging her knees to her chest. “This lawyer is ours, Keena, not his. He will help you,” he promised.
Keena shuddered with a sob. George released a shaky breath. Deeogee ambled up on the couch and snuggled close to Keena, releasing a whine. George gave Deeogee a rub on the head, soothing her angst. Deeogee would make Keena feel better. She was a mama bear kinda dog.
“I’m going to make you some food, ‘kay, Keena? I’m just in the kitchen if you need me,” he whispered. Keena just sat and stared. George studied her a moment before standing, his heart crumpling at the void look in her violet eyes. He didn’t like that look there, not after seeing the light dance in them during the meal they had shared with his family, and the way the laughter had danced in them when she smiled.
He was going to make sure that all returned. No one deserved to have this void look in their eyes. Not this young beautiful woman. She should have that beautiful little replica of hers in her arms, and both of them should be giggling, their eyes filled with laughter and life.
Paula settled in next to Keena. “You have about twenty minutes of hugs, girl, before I have to go,” she whispered. She had taken her meds and made sure she was stabilized. Sam would kill her later because she would have no hugs for him, but he would understand her need to share hugs with Keena.
Keena fell into Paula’s arms and cried hard. She knew the comfort of these arms. Knew they could provide her strength. They had done it once for her, and she would take the strength offered to her right now and suck it up. She knew she couldn’t do this alone. She had to rely on these people to help her through this.
George piddled around the kitchen. He needed to make something light. She wouldn’t want to eat much. She should eat, though. He glanced across the room. He couldn’t help but keep checking to make sure Keena was okay. Paula held her close and Deeogee huddled on the other side of her. He wasn’t sure what to do. It was one thing to comfort a terrified woman, a whole other to comfort one who had two men gangbang her and torment her for an evening till she managed run away, into the streets, in nothing but her torn housecoat covered in blood.
He clenched his hands around the coffee pot handle. How the hell had no one noticed the half-naked lady running around the city? Did this happen so much that it went unnoticed? He poured himself some coffee, glancing at Paula. She motioned for him to make one for Keena. He nodded.
“Three sugars, some cream,” she called.
Paula eased Keena up. “’Kay, hon, my nerves are getting a little on the tingly side. Juice, please, George,” she requested, sitting back, keeping a hand on Keena to assure her she was still safe.
“You need to drink and eat, Keena. We need you to keep your head together. Remember, you have to take care of you to take care of anyone else.” She couldn’t believe this was happening. Poor girl, she was too young to be going through this hurt, this pain. Paula clenched her teeth, wishing she was stronger, that she was more capable of hunting the motherfucker down and killing him! How dare he treat another living soul this wa
y?
Keena nodded, taking the hot coffee and sipping. She winced. The cut on her lip still hurt. She clenched her legs together. She could still feel them, the burn as they ripped into her, their hot seed as it jetted into her and stung her torn skin. Shame filled her. Would these feelings ever go away?
She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep, shaky breath before exhaling. She wanted to shower again. She would have to tell the lawyer everything. She didn’t want to. She already told the nurse and the stupid social worker.
“I don’t like that worker. She thinks bad things…that I hurt Carmy…” She turned big, tear-filled eyes on Paula. “I wouldn’t hurt my baby! I didn’t hurt my babies,” she whispered. Old hurts reawakened. Her son. The purple lips when she had come into the nursery and found him bundled too tightly in his blanket.
She sobbed, shaking her head. No, she couldn’t go back to that place. He was in a better place. A safer place. Her heart ached and she turned pain-filled eyes on Paula. “I didn’t kill my son,” she whispered. No mother would kill such a precious life.
Paula nodded. “I know, hon. I know. I called another social worker to represent you,” she assured, rubbing Keena’s back.
Keena nodded. “I put her someplace safe,” she whispered. Her eyes darted to Paula’s. “She’s safe. No one can get her. He can’t hurt her. I won’t let him.” She was not going to lose her daughter. There was no way she would survive this life if she lost Carmy.
Paula rubbed her shoulder. “We’ll discuss that when the worker gets here. She’s a good friend of mine. She will take care of you and little Carmine.”
Keena nodded, wiping the tears away. Paula would make sure they were safe. George would make sure they were safe. She knew it.
