Page 79 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

“We are going to transport him to the hospital,” an EMT interrupts.

Quill lets go of me, and I turn around as they’re lifting Rhyder onto the gurney. I run to his side. “Will he be okay? Please tell me?”

“We’ve stabilized him, but he’s lost a lot of blood. We need to move.” The EMT officers transfer Rhyder into the back of the ambulance, and I stand back, watching them do their duty.

My hands are covered in blood—Rhyder’s blood.

“Which hospital are you taking him to?” Quill asks.

“We will be transporting to Napa Valley Hospital.”

“I want to ride with him,” I yell at the paramedic.

He shakes his head. “Sorry, we can’t allow any passengers. You’re going to have to meet us there.”

“I’ll get you there,” Quill tells me, and I nod, content for now until I can see Rhyder again.

“Quick, come on, let’s go,” I say.

Quill grabs my arm and leads me to where bikes and a black van is parked. He straddles his bike, yelling over to another biker who’s standing with the other two holding Master flat on his stomach and a gun pointed to his head.

“What will they do with him?” I ask, not sure how I feel if they shoot him.

“Nothing that concerns you.”

Master’s head tilts up, and his eyes latch onto me.

Right now, all I feel for him is hatred—hatred for what he did to Rhyder. He could die because of that man. I don’t dwell on it for too long because what’s the point.

“Torch, get Lexi to the hospital. She’d be better off in the van.”

I look up and notice Torch. Torch was with Rhyder the day Rhyder saved me from my rapist.

Torch waves me over, and I run to him. He opens the door of the van, and I jump in running my hands down my now stained, green dress. I bring my trembling hands up to my face.

“Here, drink this,” Torch says as he hands me a can of soda.

“No thanks, I don’t want anything.”

“Drink it! You need the sugar, you’re shaking.”

He starts the engine, and I accept the can. Popping it open, I take a few sips. We drive off, and I see the blond biker and a bald one drag Master up from the ground with a gun to his head.

Will they kill him?

I don’t want to think about it because if I do, I might go crazy.

Right now, Rhyder needs me, and he’s the only one I need to be thinking about.

We make our way following the bikers. Quill leads the way behind the ambulance. My heart is beating at a hundred miles an hour as I gaze out the window realizing I’m free. I’m free.

A small smile reaches my lips, and I hang onto that feeling.

You’re going to be okay, Rhyder.

I’m sure of it.

RHYDER

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