“Absolutely.”
One of the paramedics comes outside. “Sir, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure. How is she?”
“She’s okay, but she doesn’t want to go to the hospital. We checked her out and treated her abrasions. It doesn’t look like he broke any bones, but without an xray or a CT scan, I can’t be sure of the extent of her injuries.”
“Then you’ll be transporting her?” I ask.
“She’s refusing, and we can’t make her go if she refuses.”
I drag a hand down my face. The last thing I want to do is have a fight with her about this.
“If it’s a concussion, what do we look for?” Case asks the man.
“Physically? Headache, dizziness, balance problems, blurred or double vision, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, or unusual pupil size. There are other symptoms that are mental or emotional. You can pull up a list on your phone. I’d suggest you get her to a hospital immediately if you notice any of them. She should probably be checked out by her own physician tomorrow if possible.”
Case shakes the man’s hand for me, because I’m in a state and pacing around the porch.
After they leave, I put her in my bed and sit on the edge.
“Grace, I need to know who this guy is. If you know, you have to tell me. This has gone too far.”
“It was my ex-boyfriend, Eric.”
“He the one you told me about? The one who abused you?”
Tears stream down her cheeks. “I’m so ashamed. When I was eighteen, I aged out of the foster system and had nowhere to go. It left me two choices: join the military or Eric. I should have chosen the military. It wasn’t long before he began the abuse. Ipawned my grandmother’s ring to get the money to leave him. I’ve been running from him ever since. He always seems to find me. I’m so sorry, Lucky. I never meant to bring this trouble to your door. I never meant to put your girls in danger.”
“Shh, shh. I’m going to take care of this problem, and you’re never going to have to worry about this asshole again.”
“Please be careful.”
“Case is putting two prospects here. And Brick called Angie to come sit with the girls until I get back.”
She puts her hand on my arm. “Where are you going? Don’t leave me. Please.”
“I’ve got to, babe. I’ve got to get this guy. I will not have him threatening you or my girls. There’s no discussion to be had, Grace.”
She stares up at me, and her eyes fill.
I stroke her hair and kiss her forehead. I’m going to kill this motherfucker for what he did to her. I’m going to tear him limb from limb.
“You got a picture of this guy? Does he have social media?”
Grace digs her phone out of her pocket and scrolls, then turns the screen toward me.Eric Reynolds. I snap a picture of his profile shot, then scroll and see him standing next to that green metallic pickup. I snap another shot. And scroll for any other information.
“Please stay with me,” Grace begs, grabbing my hand.
“I can’t, sweetheart. My girls are involved… and the woman I love. I have to deal with this.”
I brush a barely-there kiss to her lips, cautious of her injuries, and leave the room.
Brick is leading Angie into the house and into the living room where my girls sit huddled on the couch. I gather them in my arms. They burst into tears.
“Is Grace okay, Daddy?” Ella asks.
“She is, yes. She’s going to have some bruises, but she’s going to be okay.”