Page 14 of Biker's Babygirl

When I turn around with a bottle in one hand and a cup of water in the other, Ellie is in the kitchen, staring at me with her large, brown eyes, arms folded across her chest. “Where’d you pick up the stray?” she asks softly.

My gaze shifts to the living room to make sure Jessica is still where I left her. “Found ‘er in the woods when we were looking for the coyote.”

Ellie’s brows shoot skyward. “What was she doing there?”

“How the hell should I know?” I shoot back, feeling defensive for some reason I don’t understand.

My longtime friend just nods. “She must be a runaway, Duke.”

I glance toward the living room once more, my eyes still on the girl’s small, slight form as I answer, “You think so?”

“Well, she sure is good at it, considering she just tried. And she doesn’t want to go to the hospital…”

The insinuation in Ellie’s voice draws my gaze once more, but I dismiss her concern. “It doesn’t matter whether she is or isn’t at the moment. We can get to the bottom of that later. Right now, she needs our help.”

“I understand that, but?—”

“I’ll be careful, Elle. Don’t worry.” I give her a rare wink. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

The uncertainty in her expression doesn’t waver. Before she can give an answer—her lips part, clearly ready with one—we hear moaning from the living room.

Always attentive to my patients, I leave the kitchen immediately and walk back to the couch. I kneel beside it and hand Jessica the pills and water, watching as she takes them. “Good. That will help. Now you need to get some rest.”

Her full, pink lips twist in distaste. “But I’m not tired.”

I smother a smile and manage to give her my sternest stare. “Maybe not, but your body has been through a lot today, and you need to recharge. Get some sleep, and when you wake up, I’ll have something hot and delicious for you to eat.” I stare into her green eyes and make my voice a tad sterner as I add, “Doctor’s orders.”

Whether it’s my no-nonsense voice, the Ibuprofen kicking in, or just sheer exhaustion, mercifully, she nods. “Okay,” she says in a soft whisper.

In mere minutes, she’s stretched out on the couch, looking even younger in sleep. But the pain she must be feeling is evident in her pinched features, and I can’t help but wonder what she has against medication. I’m not one to judge—at my age, I’ve seen what addiction can do to a person. And I would never disrespect someone’s choice, but it’s going to be hard to keep her out of the hospitalandpain-free.

Jessica. It doesn’t suit her.I mentally chuckle at myself and the silly thought as I finally get to my feet, reluctant to leave her and unable to make sense of why.

CHAPTER FIVE

Ginny

The first thing that invades my dream-like state is a delicious smell. Almost immediately, it’s followed by pain, and I can’t help but cry out as I try to sit up.

As soon as I open my eyes, Duke is there, leaning over me. “It’s time for another dose. Here. Take these.” He hands me a cup of water and four ibuprofen.

“It hurts,” I whine, wincing at the little-girl complaint that emerges.

Duke nods. “I know, sweetpea. Are you sure I can’t get you something a bit stronger?”

I shake my head, blushing at thesweetpea, then turn away and quickly begin swallowing the pills with sips of water, two at a time.

He waits patiently until I’m done, and I set my empty cup on the coffee table. “Are you hungry?”

Wordlessly, I shake my head. All the excitement has killed my appetite.

“Well, come sit down with us anyway. You need to eat a little, but I won’t push you. Besides, once you’re at the table you might find you have an appetite after all.”

What I need is to get out of here, but I can’t tell him that. Maybe while they’re distracted during dinner…

The thoughts feel traitorous as I let Duke lead me to the table, his hand on my elbow. I feel a funny flip in my stomach at his touch but duck my head so he can’t glimpse the emotion on my face. My face betrays my feelings clearer than a mirror, and always has.

It doesn’t matter. I’m a stranger to him. I’ll get out of here tonight, no matter what.

---