Page 4 of Creed
She blinked and tried to open her eyes as she explained, “They gave me something… I didn’t want it. I didn’t know…”
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
I tossed my cigarette and went over to her, kneeling beside her. “He’s right. You’re okay now. We’re gonna get you home.”
She leaned against me like the fight had finally drained out of her, and I cradled her against my chest like a damn child. Her head wobbled back, and she closed her eyes. The girl was close to passing completely out when I gave her a slight shake. “Need to know where you live.”
She mumbled it out. It was barely coherent, but I was able to make out an apartment complex off Cantrell. I lifted her gently, and Skid helped me get her in the passenger seat of my truck. “Stay with the car until Smitty gets here.”
“You sure you don’t want me to come give you a hand with her?”
“I’ve got it. Just stay here and wait for Smitty. Then go see that friend of yours.”
He nodded and watched as I backed out of the parking lot. I drove over to her place with one eye on the road and the other on her, making sure she stayed breathing.
By the time I pulled into the parking lot, she was out. I reached for her purse and sifted through it until I found her keys. Thankfully, it had her apartment number etched into the center,so I had some clue where I was going. I scooped her up and headed up to her apartment.
I had no way of knowing if she had a roommate or a boyfriend, so when I reached her door, I knocked and waited a few seconds to see if anyone would answer. I was about to knock again when I heard the lock unlatch, and the door eased open. A short redhead peered through the crack, and her mouth dropped when she saw that I had her roommate.
“Oh my, God! Gabbi!” She opened the door further as she asked, “What happened? Is she okay?”
“She’s a little out of it, but she’s fine.” I carried her over to the sofa as I told the roommate, “She had a run-in with some guys at the club. Looked like they were trying to take her.”
“Take her?”
“Two guys were trying to force her into their car.”
“Oh, God,” she gasped. “Did you call the police?”
“No, but I’m taking care of it.”
“What do you mean, you’re taking care of it?”
“I’m. Taking. Care. Of. It.” I held her gaze for a moment, then covered the girl with a blanket and started for the door. “Might wanna get her some water and a couple of Tylenol. She’s gonna need ‘em.”
“That’s it?”
“Your friend got lucky tonight.” I turned and looked at the young roommate as I said, “She had no business being at the club alone. If she keeps at it, she might not be so lucky next time.”
“I know. She’s going through some things, but I’ll talk to her.”
“Be sure that you do, and if you need anything…” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a card. “Give me a call. The name’s Creed.”
“Okay. Hopefully, we won’t but thank you.”
I gave her a nod before continuing out the door.
It was beyond late, and I was ready to call it a night. My place was half an hour away, and in a few hours, I’d have to turn around and come right back. So, I opted to stay at the clubhouse. It was just easier, and I was hopeful that it was late enough that most of the guys had already settled in for the night.
When I got there, I was pleased to see that it was quiet. Most of the lights were out, and there was no music coming from the bar. I took that as a good sign as I made my way to my room. I took a quick shower and landed myself in bed. I was hoping to get at least a couple of hours of sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I found myself thinking about that girl.
She was just a kid. She was somebody’s daughter, and God knows what those two assholes had planned for her. It was that thought that kept my sleep at bay. I tossed and turned for a few hours, and when it was clear that sleep wasn’t in the cards for me, I gave up. I got out of bed, got dressed, and made my way out to Grim’s holding room.
I was curious to see how things were going with him and the two assholes I’d sent over. But when I walked in, the lights were out, and there was no sign of Grim. I was about to pull out my phone and call Smitty when something in the holding room caught my eye. I opened the door and flipped on the light, and I was pleased to see that both men were there.
Grim had them bound with their hands above their heads, and they were out cold with even more wounds than they’d had when I shoved them in the trunk. He’d worked them over good, and that had me feeling a sense of satisfaction as I made my way back inside and into the kitchen.
I was in dire need of some caffeine.
