Page 64 of Nova

20

Promise

The ride from the salon to the clubhouse was a blur, and now, Cain and the rest of the guys have disappeared, to where I have no clue. I suspect it has something to do with the asshole who tried to kidnap Piper and me. Honestly, I don't want to think about it. I could care less what happens to him. I know Cain won't tell me the details, but I'm confident the club will make him pay.

When we arrived here at the clubhouse mere moments ago, I could see the struggle in his eyes. He didn't want to leave his daughter, and he didn't want to leave me. I felt the only thing I could do was to assure him we'd be okay. Him taking care of business with his brothers was a priority. I know Cain needs to make sure the situation is handled so that guy would no longer be a threat. I saw the storm brewing inside him, in his soul. He needed to release his rage on something, and that something was the man who had threatened his daughter and his woman. So, once I assured him I have Piper, he disappeared out the front door of the clubhouse. And right now, I have no time to think about what is happening outside these walls. My only concern right now is for Piper and Sadie. On that thought, my attention is diverted to my friend, who is sitting beside me on the sofa. The cut over Sadie's eye is swelling by the minute. And by the looks of it, it will need stitches.

''I'm so sorry, Sadie,'' I choke out. ''I'm so sorry.''

Sadie removes the ice pack that Payton gave her from her face. ''It's not your fault, Promise.''

Josie interrupts when she comes into the room. ''Can I get anyone anything?''

I shake my head and give her a weak smile. ''I think we're good. Thanks, though.''

Feeling Piper fidget beside me, I turn my attention to her. ''You holding up okay, sweetie?'' I wrap my arm around her shoulders. Piper nods the same time she swipes a tear from her face. ''I know you were scared, but I promise I'll never let anything happen to you. Your dad wouldn't either.''

''I know. I knew you wouldn't let that man take me. And I knew dad, and Uncle Abel would show up. It's just…''

''Just what?''

Piper takes a deep breath. ''When that guy had the gun to your head, I…I thought my dad and I were going to lose you,'' Piper sobs, and I pull her in closer to me. I hold her tight and stroke her hair. ''Oh, sweet girl. It's all going to be okay. It's over now. You know that, right?''

Piper doesn't speak, but I feel her nod.

Over the next several minutes, I continue to comfort Piper as the room falls silent. Soon, the door to the clubhouse opens, and Doctor Teagan walks in. Her eyes cut to Piper first, as if to check her state before they landed on me and then on Sadie. Once she takes in Sadie's state, her gaze doesn't falter. I can tell she has gone into doctor mode. With her four-inch heels clicking against the floor of the clubhouse, she goes straight to my friend. Doctor Teagan sits on the coffee table in front of the sofa where Sadie is perched. Setting a brown leather bag down next to her, Doctor Teagan pulls out a pair of latex gloves and puts them on. She gently assesses the cut above Sadie's eye, causing her to flinch.

''I'm sorry,'' she murmurs. ''I'm going to need to close this cut. I'll use some Dermabond Adhesive instead of stitches. The scar should be minimal. Before I do that, I want to check you for a concussion.'' Reaching into the bag, Doctor Teagan retrieves a penlight. While she examines Sadie, she starts asking her questions.

''At any time did you lose consciousness?''

Sadie answers, ''No.''

''Do you remember what happened?''

''Yes.''

''Do you have a headache?''

''No. The only thing that hurts is the area around my eye.''

''Any nausea?''

''No.''

Doctor Teagan puts the penlight away and pulls out some gauze and some solution. She begins cleaning the cut. ''What about your vision? Any flashes of light or blurriness?''

''No. Nothing like that.''

''Good. I don't believe you have a concussion. I would like for someone to stay with you for the next twenty-four hours, though. If you start experiencing any of those symptoms I listed, I want you to go straight to the hospital.''

''Okay,'' Sadie agrees.

Over the next few minutes, I watch as Doctor Teagan tends to my friend. I take the time to study the woman. The woman I know Cain once had a thing with. There is still a twinge of jealousy that wants to creep in, but I also know it's not warranted. We all have a past. It's just hard having Cain's so close to home.

Finished with Sadie, Doctor Teagan says, ''All done. I want you to take some pain reliever and try to get some rest.''

Josie stands. ''I can show you to where you'll be sleeping tonight if you want.''

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