Page 83 of Dagger

Kennedy threw her head back and laughed.

“Errr, this is all just dandy,” Billy interjected. “But we’ve gotta brother bleedin’ out in the med wing. Can we move our asses before he croaks?”

“Shit,” Sophie exclaimed. “Tex.” She made an ‘eek’ face before starting for the door.

“I’ll assist,” Freya murmured, following her.

“Me too,” I added, taking off after them.

Sophie’s steps faltered, and she craned her neck to address me. “You’re not coming, you’re injured.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted. “It’s a scratch. If you don’t need me, I’ll go upstairs and start patching up the wounded men. If you’ve got the meds, I can inject local anesthetic and stitch up the deeper cuts.”

Sophie shook her head frustratedly. “You’re going to ignore me if I tell you to rest, aren’t you?”

I smiled. “Probably.”

She sighed. “Go upstairs and see to the men. I’ll send Billy up with everything you’ll need, but I don’t want you injecting.”

“I know what I’m doing,” I reiterated. “I’ve injected my own pain meds more times than I can count. I’m experienced with dosages; I studied them over and again.”

Sadness filled her face. “We’ll be talking about that later.” Turning back toward the door, she hurried out, Freya following closely behind.

“I’ll help you,” Adele said, handing Belle over to Layla. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve patched up a lunatic biker.”

“I’m coming too,” Kennedy declared. “It won’t take the sheriff long to stick his nose in. I need to prepare.”

We all made for the door where Billy waited. He swept his arm out with a flourish, signaling for us to pass him.

Adele and I turned left, heading for the stairs, while Sophie and Freya went right toward the med wing.

As I started to ascend, I heard my daughter call, “Mom.”

My steps faltered, and tears filled my eyes as every emotion in existence filled my chest, making my heart swell to double its size.

She called me Mom.

I sucked in a breath and slowly turned to face my incredible girl.

“Be careful,” she pleaded. “As soon as you get a minute, come down and get stitched up, okay? I don’t want your wound to get infected.”

My throat clenched, and I nodded, lost for words.

“Layla was right, Mom. You saved Sunny. She’d have been badly injured if you hadn’t stepped in front of her. I don’t know whether to yell at you or hug you. But what I do know is that you’re one of the bravest people I know.”

My lip wobbled.

“Be careful,” she repeated before turning on her heel and rushing down the corridor, Freya following behind.

I watched Sophie walk away with my heart bursting.

Just a few months ago, my life was empty. I was on the verge of giving up hope because it had been so long since my baby was taken, and throughout all that time, I’d never found a lead worth following up. Of course, I had friends in Colt and Brett and even the other agents on the task force, but going home to Robert every night was destroying me.

Living a lie for so long with the monster who took my daughter had eaten away at me. It would have only been a matter of time before I lost all will to live. Having to look at his smug face while my heart cried out for my girl would have eventually made me snap.

Now, I had Sophie, a son, and a granddaughter and the difference in me was like night and day.

Just being around Sophie and Belle was healing my soul in ways that, a few months ago, I wouldn’t have thought possible.These days, my sun shone brighter, and it was down to having my baby back.

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