Page 18

Story: Black Shadows

She lets out a sigh. “Vegas is a scary place, and for a woman, even scarier. My mom and I lived on the streets for years before we got help. If I can make sure you’re not sleeping on the streets, then that’s all that matters to me.”
I look down at her card. “Thank you.”
“Come on, let me walk you in.” She gets out and comes to my side of the car to help me out of the vehicle.
Then she walks toward the building, but I hang back for a moment, the hair on the back of my neck standing up. Fear creeps into the pit of my stomach as I scan around me. My anxiety kicks up, and I try to blow out long breaths. I can feel the eyes on me, I just don’t know from where.
“You coming?” Officer Doran calls out to me.
I nod and quickly catch up to her.
What if he followed us here? What if he’s been watching me this entire time?
I can’t go back with him. I just can’t. I can’t live in that hell anymore. A rat trapped in a cage. Being used and abused. Drugged.
Death would be preferable. I choose death.
Chapter Six
DREW
“What the actual fuck?When can I get out of here?” I look over at Kayce, and he blows me a kiss. In turn, I flip him off. God, he gets on my nerves sometimes. It’s a good thing he’s like a brother to me. Well, good for him. Otherwise, I would pummel him.
“Maybe if you didn’t go running into buildings to play hero, you could be at home now.” Phoenix steps into the room with a smirk on her face. “Look, you can’t see her right now, but come back tomorrow and you will be able to. Hopefully.”
“Mommy’s grounding you.” Kayce laughs and slaps his leg at his own fucking joke.
“I swear to fucking God, Anderson. Do you have a mommy fetish?” Phoenix throws her hands up in frustration.
“Hey, don’t kink shame. Plus, mommies always have snacks. Don’t they,Mommy?” Kayce waggles his eyebrows at her. “Mommies are yummy.”
“Dude, did you fall and hit your head and forget who her husbands are?” I scowl at him. They will kill him. Rip his skin from his body and gut him like a fish.
Kayce shrugs. “Maybe I’m a masochist who likes snacks.”
“Remember who signs your checks, Anderson,” Phoenix growls.
“Sorry,Mommy.” Kayce howls with laughter.
I roll my eyes. “Ignore him, Phoenix. I will kick his ass later.” I flip him off again before turning my head back toward her. “But seriously, when can I go?”
“I don’t know how you deal with that man child.” She shakes her head.
“Alcohol.Hardalcohol,” I respond sarcastically.
Phoenix clears her throat. “Doctor will be in here in the next few minutes. You will get released. The dick behind me can take you home. Straight fucking home, Drew. I’m dead serious.” She levels me with a stare.
“Okay, straight home. Got it. But I want to come back and see her tomorrow.”
She smiles at me, “Drew, that’s fine. But you need to rest, and I’ll make sure she gets some help. I need you focused, okay? I already have a call into John; he will be by tomorrow afternoon. He is going to help get her a place to stay and figure out where she came from.”
“All right. Then home it is.” Just as I finish my sentence, a doctor walks in and takes in my very crowded room with wide eyes.
“Well, isn’t this the fanfare. I’m Dr. Park. Do you all mind leaving the room while I talk with the patient?” She stands at the foot of the bed, a smile stretching across her face at the view in front of her.
“We aren’t going anywhere,” Tristan mumbles from his seat. His head tips back against the wall, his eyes closing. I was sure he was sleeping up until he mumbled that.
I shake my head and grin, turning back toward the doctor. “They’re fine to stay here.”