Page 20 of Timeless Pages
“Is there anything wrong with her that a regular doctor can’t tend to?” Evan asked.
“Well, no, but—”
“Then she won’t be going to the hospital,” Dom told him. “We have a doctor who can make house calls. He will treat her.”
The forensics tech, a tiny mouse of a woman in her forties, cleared her throat. “I still need her robe, pictures, and fingernail clippings,” she informed me.
I nodded. “Follow us to Isa’s bedroom, then,” I replied, not waiting for an answer. Like hell were we doing all of that where everyone could watch.
“I’ll handle this out here,” Daniel assured us as we passed.
I carried Isa to her room and gently laid her down on the bed. Evan helped me remove her robe and put it into a paper bag that the tech held, while Dom found clothes for her to redress in.
He handed me the baggy hoodie and basketball shorts. “I’m going to pack up some of Isa’s things as well,” he said. The tech clipped her nails into a little baggie and pulled out her camera. Evan and I helped reposition Isa so that the tech could get pictures of her injuries, and then we dressed her.
“I’m all done here,” she said as she packed her kit. “She can leave.”
“I’m going to clean up the bathroom,” Evan said. “It looks like she was in the middle of a bath when Morris came. Explains the robe.”
I nodded. “I’m taking Isa to the car.” I carefully picked Isa up from the bed again and walked back through the store. “We’re taking her home,” I told Daniel. “Anyone who wants to talk to her can go through you at your office or our penthouse. I’d prefer the penthouse. And not until she’s ready. We already know who did this; they just need to catch the bastard before I do.”
I looked at Dave. “Thank you,” I said, feeling my throat tighten again. “If it weren’t for you, she would have died. Whether you want it or not, we owe you a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay.”
“Dave, when they clear the scene, can you put a sign in the window saying the store is closed until further notice and lock up?” Evan asked. “You are more than welcome to stay here every night if you want to, but I’d love it if you let me put you up in a hotel. It’s the least we can do.”
“Stores just fine for me,” Dave replied gruffly. “But I appreciate the offer.” As if remembering himself, he scowled at us. “That don’t mean I like you.”
“Understood,” Dom replied. “If you need anything, you know how to reach us.”
“You just worry about takin’ care of my Belle,” he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at Isa. “You take care of her, and you can consider that debt paid.”
“We will,” I promised.
We left the store in Dave and Daniel’s capable hands and walked to where we had left our car. “Take us home slowly,” Evan ordered as we got in.
I held Isa close on the drive home, thanking every God in existence that she was alive and safe.
“That was too close,” Evan said.
“Way too close,” I agreed.
“Never again,” Dom vowed.
No. Never again. Never again would we let Isa be in a position for Morris Wilcox to lay a finger on her. I carried Isa upstairs and straight to my bed when we got home.
“I know now isn’t the time, but why your bed?” Dom asked.
“Because I was the one carrying her,” I replied. I arranged Isa on the bed. When I went to stand, she made a small moan, and her hand fisted my shirt to hold me in place while her breathing became rapid and shallow. “One of you call the Doc and get him over here right away,” I ordered as I climbed into bed beside her. Evan left the room to make the call.
As soon as Isa felt me beside her, she started to calm down. Her reaction also helped calm me down. She wasn’t just here and safe, but she felt safe with me.
“You know we’ve never officially discussed a relationship with Isa,” Dom said as he climbed onto the bed on her other side.
“Do we need to?” I asked. “I think we’ve all decided that we want her. Hopefully, she wants us, too.”
“Are you ready for a commitment like this?” Dom asked. “You haven’t been interested before.”
I looked at my friend and rolled my eyes. “I’ve always been ready for this kind of commitment, just not with the girls you and Evan bring around,” I teased. “Isa is different.”
