Page 47 of Tony

Agonizing pain sliced through her shoulder as she was sure it dislocated. Feeling faint again, she thought of Tony.I’m going to die and he’ll be alone again;the thought cut through her fear.

“Don’t know what the fuck you’re looking for, but stay away and keep quiet. You don’t, next time I’ll be happy to slice you up. After I have some fun,” he laughed. Pressing tighter against her, she felt his erection against her ass.

“No,” she whimpered. Pain and fear had her sliding down the door, but his hand moved from her front to the middle of her back.

“Count to twenty bitch before you leave. And remember to keep your goddamn mouth shut. Or maybe someone you care about will get hurt.” With that, she suddenly felt the cold on her back, telling her that he had moved away.

After a few seconds, she managed to get her car door open and fell inside. She knew it was only a matter of seconds before the pain in her shoulder had her passing out again, so she grabbed her cell phone. Slumping over, the last thing she managed to do was dial 911.

15

Turning into Sherrie’s driveway, Tony was disappointed to see that her car was not there yet. Amazed at how quickly she had acclimated into his life, he could not wait to see her.And if our after-dinner plans turn out the way I think they will, then?—

His cell rang and he grabbed it out of his pocket on his way toward the front door hoping it would be her. SeeingMatt, he connected, although disappointed.

“Tony, you gotta get to the hospital. Richmond General. Sherrie’s here. She was attacked.”

He felt his legs go weak, stumbling as he turned and ran back down the front steps.Oh, Jesus. Not again.Twenty heart-wrenching minutes later, he pounded through the doors to the ER and was met by Matt. Vinny, Gabe and Jennifer came in right after him.

“Where is she?” he bit out.

“She’s back here. I’ll fill you in as we go.”

Matt told him about the call to 911 and what he knew so far.

“What the hell was she doing there anyway?” Tony asked.

“She said she was trying to check out some of the businesses that her CASA child’s stepfather owns.”

As they arrived at the ER room, the doctor was just coming out. Assuming Tony was another policeman, the doctor reported the extent of her injuries. “She has a pulled shoulder that we’ve given her a sling to keep immobile, as well as some bruising around the face where her assailant held his hand over her mouth.”

His knees weak again, Tony barely noticed when Gabe and Vinny moved to either side of him. “Can I see her?”

“I don’t think she’s up for any questioning now that she is on pain meds. She’ll be ready to check out soon, once someone comes to take her home.” With that the doctor moved back down the hall.

Taking a deep breath, Tony strode into the ER bay, then halted as soon as his gaze landed on his woman in the bed. Faint bruises were around her mouth and nose and her arm was in a sling. Her eyes were shut but the purple shadows were evident. A strangled sound came from his mouth, causing her eyes to jerk open.

A sloppy grin split her face as she greeted him. “Tony? Dish you come fer me? Ooooh, you brought some friensh?” she said, looking past him at Jennifer and the other men.

Crossing the room, Tony leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead, saying, “Yeah, I came for you, baby. What the hell happened?”

Her large blue eyes teared as she tried to focus on his face. “You’re mad at me,” she wailed.

“Tony,” Jennifer admonished, moving close to her friend. Grabbing Sherrie’s hand, she leaned down and said, “Oh, honey, he’s not mad. He’s just scared for you.”

Sherrie’s tears dried up as quickly as they had come, replaced by the sloppy smile once more. Looking up at Tony, she pulled his head closer and tried to whisper, “You gonna spring me from thish joint?”

He rolled his eyes as the others behind him tried to hide their smiles.

“She like this when she’s drunk?” Vinny asked, as Jennifer shooed the men out of the room so that she could help Sherrie dress.

While outside, Matt showed Tony the report as he had it. “She was in a lot of pain when she came in and we didn’t get a lot. Shane and I’ll come by tomorrow to get the rest of her statement, if that’s okay.”

Tony nodded and gave them Sherrie’s address. Saying goodbye to his friends, he went back in to take her home. With some difficulty, he managed to get her to lay in the back seat while he drove them to her house. Picking her up carefully, he carried her inside and up the stairs to the bedroom without her waking. Laying her down on the bed, he quickly stripped her skirt and shoes off, sliding soft flannel pajama bottoms on. Pulling the covers up, he made sure she looked comfortable before going back downstairs to secure the house.

Coming back out of the bathroom, he stood over the bed and watched her sleep in a blissful, drug-induced slumber. Rubbing his hand over his face, he tried to still the pounding of his heart.What did she stumble into? She wasn’t robbed. Was she about to come across a crime scene and was warned off? That part of town isn’t great, but it’s not too bad either.

His hand squeezed the back of his neck as a tension headache built. Forcing himself to breathe deeply, he slid under the covers on the side away from her injured shoulder. Grateful that she was not hurt worse than she was, he vowed to find whoever threatened his woman.No one does this and gets away with it.

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