Page 70 of Ryder

I feel her clutch my hands. “Is this real? Am I dreaming? I keep thinking I’m still in that cell, cold and bleeding.”

“No.” She tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re safe, and you’re a fighter, girl. I’ll give you that. Your parents, brother and sister will be here soon. Cash asked me to come, to help. If I’m making you uncomfortable, I can get Bronco.”

“It’s fine.” It hurts to talk. “But I need to pee.”

“I should get a nurse, just in case.”

“Thanks.”

The nurse comes in and helps me out of bed. Apparently I can’t walk because I broke a boat load of bones and I’m woozy and unsteady, so she wheels me to the adjoining bathroom.

“I’m fine from here,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?” The nurse’s voice is uneasy.

I nod. “I’m fine. Honestly.” The last thing I want is for someone I don’t know watching me pee.

She looks dubious but helps me stand. “Hold onto the rails and call me if you need me. I’ll be right outside.”

I thank her, doing my business quickly as I dread what I’ve been putting off since I woke up: looking in the mirror.

I take a breath. Running the water and washing my hands as I stare down at the sink.

When I finally lift my head, I don’t recognize the face that stares back at me Maybe it’s because I can’t really see either...

She’s… she’s bloodied. Bruised. One eye is closed and swollen. My entire face is a fucking mess. My lip split, bruises are already forming in a mixture of snarly red and purple.

And my hair… my hair is fucking short! I lean closer to get a better look. It’s lopsided. My long mane; my pride and joy… it’s a bird's nest.

I start to cry, a sob leaving my throat as I stare at the stranger in the mirror. I cling to the sink, but give up and fall to my knees right as the door pushes open.

The nurse and Jas run in. “Oh, my God!” they both cry, rushing at me.

I collapse in a heap sobbing. Curling myself under, I start to rock. He did this to me.

Fucking Jimmy!He knew how much I loved my hair, how much pride I took in my appearance. It was his favorite thing, too, and now it’s all gone.

I fucking hate him!

“No!” I sob. “Why? Why did he do this to me?” I’m a pathetic mess.

This man bangs me up, takes my dignity, locks me in a cell while selling me to a sex trafficking ring, leaves me for dead, and I’m crying about my hair?

“Shhh, it’s okay!” Jas soothes. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“I’ll call for help,” the nurse says.

“Holy shit!” I hear Torin — Bronco — and then I’m being scooped up into his arms. “I got you, babydoll. I got you.”

“Careful,” Jas tells him. “She’s got broken bones.”

“Go get Ryder,” he says out of the side of his mouth.

“No!” I yell, my voice cracking. “Don’t let him back in this room. Please, Jas,please!”

“Honey, I can’t keep Ryder out,” Jas whispers. “He won’t listen to me.”

I turn to Bronco. “Bronco, please don’t let him. Please, I’m ugly. I’m so fucking ugly!” I sob into his cut, clutching onto him as I hear a commotion at the door.

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