“You okay?” I ask.
“I am now,” she says on a whisper. I let her know I’m going to be there soon and hang up the phone, instructing her to lock the doors and stay in the spare room because that’s the safest room in the house.
Jeremy’s phone rings once before he answers it with a clipped, “Got it handled, Sir.”
“What happened?” I ask, this time far less cordial than I was with his sister.
“Jennings came to the house and gave Nic some kind of folder. She told him she didn’t want him looking into Dad’s case anymore. Everything seemed fine, so I turned my TV on, but the next thing I know she’s fucking screaming. By the time I got to the living room, that sick fuck had her on her knees with his dick in her face.” The air drains from my lungs as rage fills my heart. I can’t focus on anything with the next words I hear. “He tried to make her suck his dick, probably rape her, too.”
I failed her. Because I left and came here to take care of shit I don’t have any business worrying about right now, I fucking failed her. My stomach churns, and my mouth goes dry. For the briefest moment, it brings back what happened to Chel and how we found her.
“I stopped him,” Jeremy says. “Got a few licks in before he ran. I don’t think he knew I was in the house. He didn’t get far.”
“Where is he?” I grit out, barely able to say the words. I’ve known anger, and I’ve known rage. I’ve even known fury. But this shit is fucking me up and making me see red in a way I never have before.
“Trunk,” Jeremy says. “This is club business, right? I called a few of the guys and they’re meeting me at the club house.”
“Good,” is all I can say. It’s like I’m on autopilot as I climb onto my bike, fire her up, and kick up the stand. I hang up the phone, shove it in my pocket, and peel out down the road for the highway.
In no time at all, I’m at the house and opening the door to the spare bedroom. On the floor, beneath the window, is Nic. She’s pulled up her legs and her arms rest atop her knees. In her right hand is a pairing knife. Her hair is a little messy, and her eyes are red, but she looks a lot better than I expect. I had expected her to be crying or even afraid. But no. Sometimes I forget how strong my girl really is. With a steady gaze she says, “I’m fine.”
“He hit you?” I ask, striding into the room and crouching down in front of her. Very slowly, I reach out, and she lets me take the knife. With the way I went off on her earlier, I’m relieved she doesn’t try to slice off some of my flesh.
“Just across the face,” she says. I move my hand up to gently cup her cheek.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I say. “I really fucked up this time.”
“Our kid is screwed,” she says, letting out a heavy breath. I crack a smile that I don’t mean, and she responds with a soft laugh that doesn’t meet her eyes.
“Yeah,” I say and press my lips to hers. “But he’s gonna be ours.”
I give it another moment before I stand and pull her up with me. As much as I wanna be here all night with her, I got shit to take care of.
“It was Darren,” I say, finally making the connection. “The guy who hit you—it was him.” She nods her head and diverts her eyes.
“Nine times—now ten. I can tell you exactly how each time went down. Sometimes it was a pop in the mouth like tonight, sometimes it was much worse.” With big eyes, she looks up at me. “I’ve never told anybody that before.”
“He ever try something like he did tonight?” I ask, fucking terrified of the answer.
“You want the answer to that?” she asks, sadly. I let my eyes fall closed for half a second and vow that I’m going to lay waste to this piece of shit.
“No, but I need the answer,” I admit.
“Darren Jennings has violated me in every way you can imagine,” she says as her face heats and tears pool in her eyes. Looking at her and knowing what she’s been through, I can’t help but be selfish enough to feel like shit for not knowing and not protecting her. And I made her bring that shit home. I made her deal with him when I should have been there.
“He’s going to pay for what he did, for every single time he put his hands on you. I promise you, baby. Never again.”
“Where is he?” she asks.
“Jer’s got him at the clubhouse. We’re taking care of it.”
“I want to see him,” she says. I shake my head and tell her that’s not going to happen. “I’m the one he hurt, not the club. I get that you gotta take care of this, but so do I. Please, take me with you.”
Chapter 24