Page 20 of Riff

My gut twisted at that, but I tried not to show any signs of anything being off.

“Vienna, this is my brother, Raff. Raff, this is Vienna. She’s been keeping me company on our little trek,” I said.

“Vienna, sweetheart, thanks for keeping an eye on this fuck for me,” he said, throwing an arm around my shoulder again. “How about I get you two out of here?” he asked.

Vienna was eager for that, letting me open the back door so she could climb in.

Closing the door, I turned back to Raff who said without moving his mouth much, “What the fuck?”

“I know,” I said. “I’ll explain once we are somewhere safe,” I added. “Let’s get going. And crank the heat up.”

With that, we climbed in, and I noticed in the rearview that Vienna had lowered herself down on the seat, not wanting to be seen through the window. I couldn’t blame her after what she’d clearly been through.

Raff left the music on, so the car wasn’t awkwardly silent as we drove through that little town I’d just been in, then back into a wooded area again before we found ourselves in a more populated area.

“Vienna, darlin’, would it be alright if we stopped a motel?” I asked. “I could use a hot shower and some food. But we can go somewhere else if you’re not comfortable with that.”

“I’d like a shower too,” she said. “But I don’t have—“

“You know, I fucking love shopping,” Raff said. “I could pick you up something fresh to wear.”

“Oh, that would be… nice. Thank you,” she said, voice small.

Decision made, we found the nicest looking motel in the area, then Raff went to the office to secure us a room while we waited in the car.

Once he had the keys, we drove to park outside of the door, and Raff unlocked it, so Vienna could rush inside.

“Go on and get warmed up,” I said, handing her my toiletry bag from the car, then waving toward the bathroom. “Take as long as you need,” I added.

I waited until she was locked inside the bathroom before I followed Raff back outside.

“What, and I can’t stress this enough, the fuck?”

“She was chained by the ankle in the shed on the property,” I told him, cutting to the chase. “I don’t think we need to think too hard to know for what purpose,” I added, stomach turning over just thinking of what she’d endured for what had to be months.

“Christ,” he said, shaking his head, his jaw so tight, the muscle was jumping.

“She’s been starved almost to death,” I added.

“I noticed.”

“It’s worse under that sweater,” I warned him. “And she’s cold all of the time since she has no fat on her. So get her layers. Maybe even a thick blanket. Socks. The whole thing.”

“I’ll go get that going. We passed a big box store two turns ago.”

“Okay. Be quick. Did you get a chance to call Slash?” I asked.

“No. I was too focused on getting to you. I mean, he knew you were missing, but he needs a call. He was half ready to fly over here.”

“Okay. I’ll plug into a charger and call him while you’re gone. Then we need to order food. I haven’t had anything to eat. She’s had honey and some old emergency soup packs.”

“I’ll keep an eye for places to order from,” he said, handing me a charger from the car, then heading off.

Back in the hotel, I sat down on the bed closest to the door, plugging my phone in, and waiting for it to power back up as the water splashed onto the floor of the shower in the other room.

After months of not being able to bathe, I had a feeling she would be in there until the water ran cold, so I had plenty of time to call in.

“Riff!” Slash’s voice met my ear. “Thank fuck. Are you two okay?”

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