Page 42 of Justus
Hannahis curled up on my couch, watching the breaking news as the feds take down thelargest human trafficking ring in our area. After her breakdown in the car, sheseems a little withdrawn, but hell, that’s to be expected. I know there’s so muchI need to do. She’ll need therapy—a lot of it. And she needs to go to thedoctor, get tested for STD’s. Just the thought has my hands curling into fistsagain.
Butright now, I just want her to rest. We’ll worry about all that in the morning.I ordered a pizza and she ate like she was never going to get another chance. Aslight snore makes me look in her direction and a grin lifts my lips at thesight of her asleep. She always did snore when we were kids. I put a blanketover her and kick back in my recliner to catch a few hours of sleep. I’mexhausted, but right now, I don’t want her too far away from me.
Thesound of her whimpers wake me just as the sun is rising. Twisting and turning,she kicks the blanket off and a sheen of sweat covers her body.
“Han?”
“Don’tfeel good,” she mumbles. “Sasha, get me a pill.”
Fuck.It’s withdrawal. I should’ve expected this. Traffickers are known to keep thewomen heavily drugged to keep them docile and obedient. They turned my sisterinto an addict. Tamping down my anger, I brush her sweaty hair from herforehead. “Han, it’s Justus. You’re at my house, remember?”
Hereyes pop open and I move out of the way just in time as she vomits on thefloor. Shaking, she sobs, “I feel like I’m dying.”
“It’sokay. I’m going to take care of you. I promise.”
Quicklytossing a towel on the floor to cover the mess, I grab a wastebasket and abottle of water. While she’s rinsing her mouth, I make a quick call to Dare.“She’s in withdrawal from god knows what drugs they’ve been giving her. Callyour guy at the hospital and let them know we’re coming. I don’t want themtreating her like some street junky.”
Darepromises to take care of it, and ten minutes later, she’s bundled in a blanketin my car as we rush to the hospital.
Irecognize the doctor. He’s the same one who treated Landon when we firstbrought him in over a year ago. “Mr. Alexander,” he greets me, after examiningHannah. “We’re waiting on the test results, but judging by her symptoms, she’sexperiencing withdrawal from opiates, and some heavy ones at that. There aren’tany track marks on her arms, nor in any of the other areas heroin users tend toinject, so that’s a good sign.”
“Youknow her situation?”
“Yes,Derek informed me, and I’ve seen the news. I’m sorry for what your family isgoing through.”
“Willshe be okay?”
“Thingswill be rough for her, especially the first few weeks, but we can keep hersymptoms to a minimum and make it easier. I want to keep her overnight and runsome more tests, check her for STD’s and secondary infections. She’sunderweight and her immune system is probably weakened from the drugs and lackof food and medical care. With adequate nutrition and care, there’s no reasonshe can’t make a full recovery.
“Myconcern is that you get her into a rehab and counseling facility as soon aspossible. I know a place that specializes in treating victims of sex crimes.”His serious gaze meets mine. “This isn’t something you can treat on your own.Long term abuse coupled with drug dependence requires extensive therapy.”
Mychest aches at the thought of being separated from her for even a second, but Iknow I have to do what’s best. “Thank you. If you can give me the number to thefacility, I’ll make sure she gets help.”
“I’llcall ahead and make sure they reserve her a spot. I’ve given her a sedative.It’s better if she sleeps through this stage of withdrawal, so she won’t beconscious until tomorrow.”
Mymind is spinning with the things I need to get done as I step back into herhospital room. As the doctor said, she’s asleep, her small chest rising andfalling beneath the white sheet. I can’t bear to think about what she’s beenthrough and I’ve resisted the urge to ask her the barrage of questions that aretearing me apart.
Whatdid they do to her? How long did they have her? How many guys was she sold to?Why did she run away? And the one that’s really haunting me. How much of thisis my fault? My fault for not looking hard enough, for not finding her sooner.What was she going through while I was putting down other predators? While Iwas hanging with the guys or spending my time chasing Sadie.
Iwon’t fail her again. Fuck everything else, she is my main focus, and I won’trest until she’s well again.
ChapterNine
Sadie
“Ow!That’s too far!”
Rollingmy eyes, I release the man’s leg. “You aren’t going to get your flexibility andrange of motion back without a little pain. Did you take a painkiller beforeyour appointment?”
“Itook two! You’re trying to kill me.”
“You’dbe the first to die of a stretched tendon. We’re done for the day.”
Iknow I should have more patience, but I swear I’ve had it with men today.Whiny, lying little bitches. It could have something to do with the fact Ihaven’t heard a peep from Justus in almost two weeks.
Rubbingmy aching forehead, I approach the reception desk and ask Molly, “He was thelast one today, right?”
“Yeah,that’s it.” She gathers up her stuff and we leave the office. “Are you okay?You haven’t been yourself lately.”
