And I clasped Shy’s hand harder.
On the ride to Roper that never seemed to fucking end, the two paramedics tried to patch me up, but I brushed them off. Bruised fists and cut knuckles were nothing.
They just needed to take care of Shy, who remained unconscious.
By the time we reached the hospital, I was ready to jump out of my own skin. They rushed her in through the double doors with me right behind them.
For once in my life I understood what good connections could get me. And I’d use them for Shy’s sake. As soon as a doctor appeared in scrubs to listen to her stats and look over the chart handed off from the medics, I made sure my presence was noted.
“This is Shiloh Lockhart. Daughter of Thomas and Justine Lockhart. Local benefactors of this hospital.” I tapped on the name badge attached to doctor’s shirt. “So I suggest you give her the most expeditious care possible. And contact her oncologist, Dr. Haines, pronto.”
The hustle was on.
The last thing I heard was a quiet order from Hunter, who’d shown up with sirens blazing, giving the go for the rape kit.
Turning back, he nodded solemnly at me.
I wiped a hand across my mouth.
I blinked up at the harsh fluorescent lights.
I gulped back the burn in my throat.
“Mr. Rush?” A nurse hurried to me.
“Yeah.” I knuckled beneath my eyes.
“You can come back as long as you stay out of the way, sir.”
“Handsome!” Boomer called out, busting through the waiting room with Tail, Tuck, and Cole surrounding him.
Halting at the doors of the corridor, I slid my eyes toward Shy’s gurney.
They’d started rolling her away.
“Can’t talk right now. They’re about to examine her.”
Boomer’s hard hug pulled me right up to him. “Yeah. You go be with her, brother.”
He pressed me away, and Tail clapped me on the back. “We’re waitin’ right here, man. Whatever she needs.”
****
I stood in the corner of the hospital room with Hunter beside me. Every muscle in my body vibrated.
“You in shock?” he asked.
“No. Yeah. Dunno.”
“You want a coffee or something?”
“No.” I wiped my hands down my face. “I can’t stand still, man.”
Dr. Haines barged inside, heading straight to Shy.
Then they drew the curtains around her bed.
“What are they doing to her, Hunter?”
“Taking evidence. Giving her a complete exam. They’re not hurting her. And I don’t think you want the details, my man.”
Probably not.
But that didn’t stop my stomach from churning every time I heard the low murmuring voices from behind the drapes.
When one of the nurses ducked her head out, she beckoned Hunter to her.
More whispered words.
More acid in my stomach.
More worry about Shy.
Returning to my side, Hunter never dropped my gaze, and his gold-toned eyes filmed over. “I’m sorry.”
“He raped her?” I pushed Hunter back. “He raped my Shy?”
“No!” He grabbed my arms. “Listen to me. They found abrasions and . . . residue in her mouth.”
“I can’t fucking compute that, man.” I unlocked my clenched jaw just enough to speak. “Residue? What the shit does that mean?”
“Semen. Oral.”
Dropping down to my heels, I rocked back against the wall. “They used . . .” Sucking in a deep breath, I peered up. “They used Shy’s mouth?”
Hunter crouched in front of me. “It looks like it.”
“That’s still rape.” I jumped up. “You tell me that’s still prosecuted as rape!”
“It is.”
I crammed my knuckles against my mouth. “How many?”
“We don’t know yet,” he whispered. “They’re collecting DNA, and Shy will have to answer some questions when she wakes up.”
Kicking a table full of instruments, I barreled toward Hunter. “She has fucking cancer! Isn’t that enough?”
He caught me in a tight bear-hold of a hug. “Yeah. It’s more than enough.”
Sobs clawed their way out of my throat.
“Here’s what I know, Handsome. Shiloh is strong. She’s formidable.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “Now you gotta be stronger for her because I know you’re up to it.”
Clearing my throat, I pulled away. “Give it to me straight, like I said.”
“Diablo’s in custody. Many others from Satan’s League too.” Hunter’s lips formed a grim line. “We’ve rounded up eye witnesses for statements, and we’ve got the DNA. Kidnapping is a felony. There’s no way any of them are walking away from this.”
“I want to speak to the oncologist.”
“Just a heads up, but her parents will be here in forty minutes. They’re traveling from Hilton Head, and you have no rights after that. At least not until Shy wakes up.”
“I’ll deal with that when it happens. Right now I just . . . I need to make sure her leg’s okay.” I took in a deep shuddering breath.
Nodding, Hunter swung around the curtained partition. He ducked back out a moment later, followed by Dr. Haines who pulled off her gloves and tossed them into the bin.