Page 25 of Stephan

“Yes. He is in custody and it doesn’t looklike he’ll be released. The police searched his place. They got atip and someone came forward claiming something. The police are nowsearching his property. They found a couple of judges happy to helpthem.”

“Thanks. I’m lucky to have you.”

My mum stretched up on tiptoes and brushed myhair out of my eyes. “I didn’t do anything, baby. It was all yourfather.”

I knew she was lying. The judges where Mum’sfriends.

I don’t know how long I waited, but minutespassed by like hours. Derick and my dad soon joined my mother andme, and David and Owen were hovering around.

“How are Brand and Royce? They aren’t introuble?” I didn’t want them arrested for what I did to Jade’sgrandfather.

Owen smirked. “Nah, you didn’t get them intoanything they can’t handle. I heard from Royce about ten minutesago and he said the police seem preoccupied with what they’refinding at the pub, and the arresting officer saw how clumsy hergrandfather was tripping and falling everywhere.”

I nodded and clenched my fist feeling my skinstretch over my cuts. I didn’t realize I’d hurt my hand when I wasbeating the arsehole.

Finally a doctor a friend of my parents,Steve Deed, came over and spoke to dad. “Jade’s in recovery. Shehad a stomach bleed, which we stopped and will monitor. Herappendix was damaged and we removed it. Her left arm is broken intwo places and her right is sprained. Her jaw was dislocated and wehave fixed it. She has stitches placed on the back of both herlegs, but what we are most concerned about is her concussion. Wecan see from her scans she has been hit on the head several times.The records sent over show that she’s had several broken bones.I’ve spoken to DoCS and been told she was removed from twosituations. I will be sending my assessment to them and thepolice.” The doctor’s eyes softened. “Lucas, Evelin, if you needanything to help keep the girl safe, don’t hesitate to ask. Poorgirl needs a break.”

My dad shook Steve’s hand. “Thanks forcoming, Steve. I hope your report and recommendations help.”

“That’s okay, Lucas. I’m glad I came andcould help. I’m staying until she’s awake and out of thewoods.”

Before Steve left, I asked, “When can I seeher?”

“I’ll send a nurse to get you when she’sready.” I nodded to Steve and watched him walk away.

I turned to my family, my mum had tearsrunning down her cheeks and Derick looked dazed. Dad looked how Ifelt, furious. “I should have killed him. I should have moved herin as soon as I knew who she was to me.”

Mum hugged me. “This isn’t your fault,son.”

“Never again. I will listen to my instinct.Never again will I hesitate. Never again.”

Chapter Seven

Jade

My whole body hurt. I didn’t think I’d everbeen in this much pain before. I forced my eyes open to a whitebright light but they barely moved. A sob rocked me and I fought tokeep my tears contained. They wouldn’t help me. They never did. Myhead pounded and my body wouldn’t move. Moaning, I felt a heavyweight on my arm and I knew the feeling, it was a cast.

A face leaned over me. I couldn’t see anyfeatures. “Miss Black, you’re awake. Do you know where youare?”

I cleared my dry throat. “Hospital,” Irasped.

“Yes, you’re in recovery at Reed CreekMemorial Hospital. What is your pain at the moment? One being noneat all to ten being extreme.”

“Hundred.” I was more than ten I knew.

“I will go get you some pain relief and tellthe doctor you’re awake and we’ll look into getting you to aroom.”

I didn’t say anything. I was in too muchpain. I moaned, and closed my eyes again.

*****

I came in and out of consciousness a lot. Idon’t remember much but pain. When I came to and my eyes finallyopened enough for me to see, I let the tears fall and gave over tothe despair.

“Little bit, are you in pain? Do you want meto get the nurse?”

I sobbed harder as soon as I heard his voice.“You’re here? Now you can see me for what I am…trash.”

“You are anything but, you’re my treasure.And I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Jade.”

---