Page 36 of Doc's Decision

I don't hesitate, leading her quickly out to my bike.

I help her on behind me and we take off with a roar, tearing out of the parking lot like the devil himself is on our tail.

By the time we arrive back at the compound, her trembling has eased but I can still feel the tension thrumming through her.

I help her off and lead her inside with an arm around her waist.

Kat looks up as we enter the trailer I share with Shiver and frowns. "Everything all right?" she asks, taking in Mandy's red-rimmed eyes.

I give a terse nod. "It is now. Kash still out?"

She nods. "Like a light."

"You're an angel, Kat. I owe you."

She waves me off, hands me the baby monitor, and leaves. "Happy to help. You two go get some rest."

Inside, I search Mandy’s face, thumb rubbing soothingly over her knuckles.

"You wanna talk about it?" I ask softly.

She shakes her head. "No, not yet. Can you just...hold me for a while?"

My heart clenches as if she even needs to ask. "Of course, darlin'. C'mere."

I lead her to my room and we stretch out on the bed, curled around each other.

I stroke her hair and press gentle kisses to her forehead as she tucks her face into my neck.

We lay there in silence for a long time before she finally speaks, voice small and muffled against my skin.

"He used to hit me," she whispers. "When he drank. Which was all the time. And my mom, when she wasn't too fucked up to notice. But she never did anything to stop it."

I go cold all over, arms tightening around her protectively. "Jesus, Mandy..."

"The last time...I thought he was really going to kill me. I barely got out. Went to my best friend's house and her mom helped me leave town that night. I haven't been back since. All over 20 bucks. Fucking ridiculous."

White hot fury courses through me, warring with heartbreak for the lost, broken girl in my arms.

I want to find that sick son of a bitch and rip him limb from fucking limb for ever laying a hand on her.

I know that's not what she needs from me right now.

So, I take a deep breath, reining myself in.

I tip her chin up to look at me.

"You listen to me, Mands," I say fiercely. "You did what you had to do to survive. To get yourself out of a shitty, dangerous situation. And fuck anyone who says different. You're one of the strongest women I know."

Fresh tears well in her eyes but she smiles tremulously. "Thank you," she breathes. "For everything tonight. I'm really glad you were there."

"Anytime, babe," I murmur, using my thumb to wipe her tears away. "You're not alone anymore, okay? I'm right here. I've got you."

"Doc," she whispers, her voice shaking. "I've never... I've never told anyone that before."

"I know, Mandy... and I'm honored that you trust me enough to share that with me," I say, stroking her cheek gently.

She nods, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Doc... for everything. I... I think I need some air. Mind if we step outside for a smoke?"

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