Page 28 of Tripp

I threw the truck in park and jumped out. And that was when the world around me decided I needed to be in a fun house. I stumbled, my stomach heaving at the same time. I went down on all fours and tossed up whatever was left in me.

“Oh my God.”

“Is she alright?”

“Casey? Shit. Shelby, get over here.”

“Mommy, she’s hurt.”

“I know, baby, can you go watch your sister for me? It’s okay. Aunt Shelby will help her.”

“Casey, hey, look at me, hun.”

I fell over, my head in a lap. My gaze landed on Dani Lynn’s worried face.

“He knows…Penny…where’s my baby?”

“What happened?” Shelby fell to her knees beside me. The black bag she clutched fell open. “Jesus. Were you in an accident or something?” She pulled out gloves, handed a pair across me to Dani Lynn, and tossed gauze at her. “Apply pressure to her temple, she has a pretty good cut there. And here. Is that glass in your hair?”

“He knows. Can’t let him get her.” The sob rocked me. I clutched at Shelby’s hand. “Please.”

“Hey, she’s okay. She’s with Tripp. The fellas took some of the littles to get ice cream. You just missed them.”

If she was with her daddy, she would be okay. Tripp would protect her with his life. The thought of something happening to her—them. My stomach rolled, and I tried to get up. Shelby moved fast, and I was able to puke and not on her. My nose and throat were burning.

The pressure of the bandages being held to my head and arm sent pain racing through nerves I didn’t even know I had.

“Lay back, that’s it. I know it hurts. Let me get something in you. Take a deep breath, this will pinch.”

I closed my eyes and swallowed back more bile.

The warmth racing through my arm spread quickly. Easing the pain back a little.

“Daddy, we need help at the playground. I—fuck, I don’t know. Casey—someone’s hurt her. Yeah. He’s at the Ice Cream Shack. Yes. She says someone is after Penny.” Dani Lynn looked down at me. “Get someone to take her to the center. Have them tell Mama J to lock it down.” She nodded at whatever he said. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Casey, Daddy’s going to get Tripp and take Penny somewhere safe. Just breathe for us, okay? No one will get to her. I swear to it.”

“This is Doctor McKenna; I need an ambulance at the park. Female with multiple lacerations to the temple, face, and arm. Possible concussion. Thanks.” Shelby cupped my face, using a pen light to blind me. “Ambulance is on the way. You get a first-class ride to Lufkin. I want a CT scan on this noggin of yours. Okay?”

“Okay.” They could do whatever they needed as long as my baby was safe.

The last sound that registered before the darkness I’d been fighting took me, was the cacophony of motorcycles racing my way.

Chapter 10

Tripp

One hour, ten minutes, and fifty-six seconds. That’s how long it’s been since my girl was loaded into an ambulance heading for the emergency room.

My world was turning inside out, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The morning had been going so well. The boys and I went for a ride, letting the wind and open roads ease away the tensions that life brought you.

I’d taken my little one for her first ride. Helmet, gloves, and her own pair of riding boots. She looked adorable sitting on my bike. Her happy giggles as we circled the town square melted my old, crusty heart. Phoenix had taken a video and gotten pictures since Casey was out working. I didn’t want her to miss any of the fun.

With ice cream on our minds, we went with the others to the Ice Cream Shack. As we waited in line, Gabe pulled up, his lights flashing.

I would never forget the look on his face as he walked toward us.

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