Page 15 of Outplayed

Ignoring him, knowing my brother and Griz had him, I went for Zara. Kneeling beside her, I didn’t know if I should touch her. Still, I pressed my fingers against her neck.

“Tell me she’s breathing,” Talon demanded.

Zara’s eyes fluttered. “H-honey?” She started coughing. I ran my hands over her, my jaw clenching tighter and tighter. My stomach dipped in dread.

“Christ, Talon. We have to get her outta here. She’s got three gunshot wounds and she’s been beaten.”

“You’re not taking her,” David yelled.

“Back the fuck up,” Talon roared. “You bloodied my woman, you beat her, raped her, and fuckin’ shot her. Fuck!” A shot fired behind me. Right away I knew it wasn’t Talon getting shot because he wouldn’t cry out like a piece of weak shit.

“Zara, it’s going to be okay. We’ve got you,” I whispered, gently lifting her hair from her face. She nodded, only to wince.

“Damn it,” David screamed.

“Talon!” I yelled. “We have to go, and now.”

“Griz, take him. Clean this. I’m getting my woman outta here.”

“Sure, brother,” Griz replied.

Talon stopped beside the couch, kneeling. He swallowed over and over at the sight of his woman. It was bad, very bad. I wanted to cry, scream, kick something, but I didn’t. I’d hold it back.

“Jesus, babe,” Talon whispered.

“I-I k-knew you’d come. Kids? Parents?”

He ran a hand down her cheek softly. “They’re safe. Now let’s get you safe.” We both knew there wouldn’t be time to wait for paramedics. Talon picked her up as gently as he could, but she still cried out. My jaw clenched, along with my fists.

“Vi, clear the way. Make sure the kids don’t see.”

“On it,” I said, running from the room.

* * *

We made it out without a problem. I raced to the car Warden just exited and got in the driver seat. “She okay?” Warden asked through the passenger-side window.

I shook my head. “Get the back door open. Help Talon get her in.”

He nodded and straightened just as Talon came out of the house with Zara in his arms. My breath hiccupped. I beat down my emotions once more.

“Talon?”

“She’s passed out,” he told me, his face hard. They managed to get her into the car and on Talon’s lap. Warden jumped in the front, and I drove off like hellhounds were chasing us, knowing Talon would brace for my erratic driving. Even Warden leaned through to the back and helped hold her still. He would surely be bruised tomorrow for it.

“Nearly there, kitten. Hold on for me,” he begged, kissing her forehead. “Fuck,” he snarled low.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from crying. Hated seeing Zara on the edge of…. I couldn’t bring myself to think it, say it. What I also hated with my whole being, was seeing my brother crushed with anguish.

The tyres screeched when I pulled up at the back of the hospital, the emergency area. Sniffing, I got out as people stormed out. “You can’t park—”

I waved my arms, they paused. “Help.” I pointed to the back of the car. “She needs help. Three gunshot wounds and she’s been beaten.”

They rushed forward, one calling for a trolley. From there on, it was go, go, go. Talon nearly went berserk when they wouldn’t let him through with her. I grabbed his arms and whispered into his ear, “They need to do their work. Let her go so they can work, Talon. Please.”

He stilled, then nodded. The emergency team raced through the halls while we were led into the waiting room.

I sat beside Talon with my arm around his shoulders, and we waited. Brothers arrived. Griz deflected the cops, informing them what went on at the warehouse. Though, it wasn’t the full truth of course. Deanna kicked up a stink about not getting her hands on David, until Talon informed her there was still time. Her smile was evil. Nancy, Richard, and the kids arrived freshly showered, and they all surrounded Talon. It wasn’t until a police officer said some words Talon didn’t want to hear, by saying they would need Zara’s statement if she pulled through, that my brother lost it once more and he hit the man.

---