Page 72 of High Side

“I will. He’s got enough to hold him on for a bond hearing, at least.” They headed upstairs, and Lupe made her have a couple bites of candy.

It did calm her jangled nerves.

“I can’t believe this is how I had to meet her parents.”

Liz chuckled. “They like you.”

“I like them too. I would rather have smoked brisket.”

“Oh God, me too.”

“I wonder if I can get someone to make some before they leave…” Was that too far an ask?

“We’ll do a thing,” Liz said. “I can get Liam to run the smoker and Kim can make the potato salad since Ky will be laid up.”

“Sounds good.” They got to the room Kylie was in and Liz and Lupe stopped outside. “Go ahead, hon. I’ll go back and deal with Geoff for right now.”

“Thanks, lady. I—Thanks.”

“Go on.” Liz smiled, but, man, she looked tired. This had to be killing her, that her business was taking this hit from some asshole who had this made-up, bullshit grudge he’d ground into the dirt.

She took a deep breath and headed into the room to see her girl, trying not to freak out about all the visible bruises.

Kylie was dozing, and her folks were both playing on their phones when she walked in. Her mom looked up and smiled, then it faded. “Hey, Brittany. Everything okay?”

“I just got attacked by the same guy in the parking lot. They arrested him.”

Kylie’s dad jumped up. “I’m going to kick his sorry ass.”

“Be careful of the cops, dear. Don’t get arrested.”

“I’ll be fine.” He dashed off, and Kylie’s eyes popped open.

“Huh?”

“Hey, babe. You doing okay?” She walked over to smile down and take Kylie’s hand.

“Oh, hey. Good. Missed you.”

“Yeah. I was feeding Sadie. How are you feeling?”

“Sore, ready to go home.”

“I bet.” She was trying to keep it together, but her knees were about to give out.

Kylie’s eyes finally seemed to focus on her, and he frowned. “Baby, what happened? You’re freaking out.”

“Well, you are in the hospital.”

“What happened to your arm? Did I do that?”

She looked at her own bruises, which were starting to pop up where Josh had manhandled her. “No. No, Josh got me in the parking lot.”

“What?” Kylie started to lever up, but Brittany held a hand out, stopping her.

“I popped him in the nose, then kicked his nuts up into his belly.”

Kylie blinked for a moment, processing that, she thought, then started laughing hard, holding her ribs. “Good for you, baby. Did security get him?”