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The two women embrace, and Sadie leads Birdie to the women’s dorm, with me following close behind. I stand guard outside the door, knowing Sadie is tending to Birdie’s abused skin and helping her dress. Knot and Aaron lean against the wall opposite me, but not before Aaron hands me a shirt. “Hold it,” a new voice calls out as I lift the cotton.
Our staff doctor walks up carrying his medical bag. “Doc,” Knot says in greeting.
“The hospital says that the other guy’s blood was clean,” Dr. Swells reports. His eyes go to the bandage around my middle, and he adds, “I’m told I have someone to stitch up.”
Aaron retrieves a chair for the doctor, knowing I won’t willingly leave my post. Dr. Swells cuts away the bandage, inspects the entry and exit wounds, and nods. “The medics were right. A shot of antibiotics and a few stitches are all you need.”
Swells completes the task quickly and stands. “Now, about this strangulation. I want the victim to get scanned for vascular injury no later than tomorrow. Until then, I assume she’s in capable hands.”
“She won’t be alone for a single breath,” I vow.
The doctor nods and leaves, and I finally pull the shirt over my head and study my boss. “You lied to the cops. You aren’t afraid of that coming back to bite you in the ass?”
Knot gets a gleam in his eye like he knows a secret. “No, I’m not worried at all.”
Since I want him to be right, I don’t press.
Birdie
Sadie scans me from head to toe as I step into the gym. “Oh shit. Are you ok?”
She reaches to hug me, and I hiss with the contact to a sore spot. “Let’s go,” she demands, taking my hand.
We’re quiet as she pulls me toward the dorms. “How much do you know?” I whisper.
Sadie winces at my ruined voice and answers, “Not everything, but enough.”
The men stop at the door, and as soon as it closes behind us, I say, “Don’t yell at me.”
Sadie flexes her neck and clears her throat. “I’m not going to yell. I’m just glad that you’re all right.”
She dusts some imaginary dirt off her clothes and adds, “I’m not even going to ask how you could hide something so monumental and dangerous from your best friend. Nope. Not gonna do it.”
Somehow, this is worse, I think as I gather some panties and leggings from the locker. After using some makeup wipes to remove Bastien’s blood, I slide the clean clothes on and sit on the bed. Next, I pull Bastien’s shirt off, holding the fabric over my breasts. Sadie’s hands drop from her hips, and the fire leaves her eyes at the sight of my abused skin.
“Oh, my god.”
She retrieves the first-aid kit from the linen cabinet and sits behind me. I flinch at the first touch of the cold cream to my back, but the medication in the ointment soon numbs the sting. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
Despite what I said, I spill everything, starting with fifteen years ago. Sadie doesn’t judge or comment and doesn’t treat me like a monster for my role in Amelia’s death. She finishes right as I do and reaches up to brush away a stray hair hanging over my face. “How have you carried this alone for all these years?”
She doesn’t wait for an answer, instead sifting through my locker for a T-shirt. “No bra is going to feel good on those stripes.”
Sadie helps me slide on the soft cotton shirt, and I croak, “Guess I get to jiggle for a while.”
My friend shakes her head sadly, not rising to the bait. “Let’s get you home to rest.”
“I don’t want to go home. Not yet. I kind of hoped I could go to Bastien’s for a while.”
She nods and chews on her lip before saying, “Chelsea told me Bash knew he was going to be shot.”
“What?!” I rasp.
“You were unconscious, and Savile wouldn’t let go. He also had a knife to your heart. The only shot anyone had was with Bastien lined up behind Savile. He told them to take it.”
I laugh quietly to myself. Some monster he is.