Page 68 of Shadow and Skulls

“It was Matt, but Jason was there too. He didn’t help her,” Ash explains.

“Ash, please. It’s not a big deal,” Lexi whispers.

I lie down and wrap my arms around her because this is something I can relate to. I hear the shame leaking from her voice.

“I never got a chance to thank you for stepping in and taking the heat off me in class that day,” I tell her, deflecting some of the attention from her.

She doesn’t say anything.

“They’re going to pay for this, Lexi. I’m going to make sure of it.”

Ash and I exchange a concerned look. “Should we call her parents?” I ask quietly.

“She says they’re not home.” He wrings his hands together nervously.

“We need help, Ash. I’ll be right back.” I give her a gentle squeeze. “Everything is going to be okay.”

As I’m slipping my shoes on, I tell Ash there are more towels under the counter. “See if you can get her cleaned up a little.”

He nods, jumping off the bed to do as I said. I walk back over and run my thumb over Lexi’s bruised face.

“Please don’t be scared. Let my family help you.”

She closes her eyes. “How do you know they’ll help? I’ve been so awful to you. They must hate me.”

“Because they’ll see past your tough exterior.”

A chuckle leaves her lips, and she wraps her arms around her ribs, wincing.

“Just rest. I’ll be back soon.”

As I’m rushing out the door, I’m already formulating a plan to make them pay. These boys will turn into evil men if they’re not put in their place.

When I get home, I run up the steps. I quietly slip into my parent’s room and make my way to my dad’s side of the bed.

“Dad,” I whisper. His eyes open sleepily. “Daddy, I need your help.” My voice catches.

He throws back the covers, and it’s then I notice he’s already dressed. He grabs my arm and ushers us out of the room. “What is it?” he asks.

“It’s … it’s a friend of mine. She needs help. I think she needs Doc.”

Immediately he’s on his phone, but he keeps walking us toward the front door. “I need you to get Doc over to Kelsie’s,” he says to someone on the other end. “Kelsie is okay. We need him for a friend of hers.”

When he hangs up, he glances up the stairs. “Does she need a woman?”

My brows furrow in confusion.

“A bunch of bikers are going to be showing up at your house soon. Is that going to be a problem, or would it be better if we have some of the women there?”

Oh, yeah. I guess I didn’t think about that. I’ve become accustomed to the men of the club. They don’t frighten me anymore, but they might her.

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s get Mom up, and we’ll go from there. Okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, yeah, maybe that would be best. I asked if we could call her parents, but Ash said she told him they’re not home.”

My dad huffs at this. “Go on back. Mom and I will be right there.” He kisses me on the forehead. Before I step out, he says, “I’m glad you came to me.”

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