Page 22 of Love & Vendettas

I nod and head out of the house. Kim is just finishing her call as I step into the driveway.

“Both crews are on the way, and we’ll see him to the Hovel. You good, Bossman?”

“I will be,” I sigh.

When I hop in Bayleigh’s car, I drive around for an hour before heading home. I never like to take negative energy from the streets home with me. Bayleigh is a good woman, and she works hard to keep our house a safe space for the boys and me.

It’s full of love, peace, happiness, and laughter. Sometimes, I take stress home with me, but not evil energy. The way that I’m feeling right now, I need to kill someone or something. But I’ve got bigger fish to fry than letting that punk-ass Kenny steal my energy.

11 – BAYLEIGH – THE OTHER WOMAN

“I’m pleased to report that there aren’t any internal injuries, but Riley, honey, this damage to your face causes me concern about your vision. Are you seeing any unusual floaters?” Dr. Madison asks.

My sister’s lip has swollen more since she first called me. Her voice is garbled, and although I can understand her, she doesn’t sound the same. I grit my teeth together, refusing to let her see me cry.

The moment that I shed a tear, she’s going to be bawling again, as she’s already done in the SUV twice on the way over here. When she cries, it also hurts her, and while Dr. Madison has given her something for the pain, I don’t want to create any further discomfort.

“Not in this left eye, though he hit me there too. But the right eye? I don’t really know,” she shrugs.

“That’s understandable because it’s completely shut. I want to watch it for the next several days.”

Riley nods.

“These pills are going to make you sleepy. The injections that I’ve given you will keep the infection away. But make sure that you’re taking the antibiotics as prescribed to keep the infection away, and these oblong pills to help manage the pain. If you have any questions or any side effects that we haven’t discussed, call me right away. I don’t care what time of day or night it is. I’ll be here.”

“Thanks, Dr. Madison.” I thank her on behalf of Riley.

“You know that I never get involved in the details, Bayleigh, but Riley . . .” The doctor pauses and stares at my sister for effect. “You need to stay here with your sister for a while. You need to be healed. Whoever did this to you, honey, they cannot love you. If you want further assistance or need to speak with someone, I have some recommendations.”

We both look at Riley, and she shakes her head. “I’m not going back. I don’t know what I’ll do right away, but I—”

“You’ll stay here as long as it takes for us to figure out your next step. If that’s permanent, then that’s what will happen,” I reply.

“I can’t do that, Bayleigh. Zaire and you have been so good to me through the years.”

“That’s what family is for, sweetheart,” Dr. Madison remarks.

“I know, but I don’t want to infringe on their hospitality,” Riley replies.

“Honey, have you seen your sister’s home?” Dr. Madison asks, looking at my sister as if she’s lost her mind. “I took a tour of this house when they first bought it. She has more than enough room for you, me, and my two siblings if we want to come and stay,” Dr. Madison teases, winking at me with a warm smile.

“We really do, Riley. You know this.”

Our home has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and countless other rooms. It’s big enough that when our twenty-two-year-old son, Zechariah, who is out of state attending FSU, is home, we can go days at a time without seeing him.

That doesn’t happen with Zaccai because he’s only ten, and he needs us to be hands-on at all times. Sometimes, we don’t see Zayn for a day, but that’s seldom. Although he’s nineteen, he still needs his parents more than he’s willing to admit.

“Let’s just get through the night, okay?” Riley asks softly.

Dr. Madison glances worriedly at me, and I shake my head.

“All right, honey. Go ahead and relax.” I point at the bed in the suite that I’ve placed her in for the night. “I’m going to walk Dr. Madison downstairs.”

“Okay,” Riley agrees tiredly, curling up on the bed before I can close the door.

Dr. Madison doesn’t speak until we’re downstairs at the front door.

“Is this an ongoing thing for your sister?”

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