Page 81 of Trucker
“Hey, Trucker.” She greeted me.
I pressed my finger to my lips. “Shhh. In a hospital?”
“Wait, what? You okay?” Zulu panicked. “I can have Zoom down to you—if I can find a jet to?—”
“I’m fine.” I interrupted. “Stop worrying. I’m okay. I swear.”
When I explained to her what happened and who I thought was responsible, Zulu frowned.
“The stupid shit a bitch would do for a cock.” She muttered. “Listen, Ryan Carling has a record. It’s a juvie one, and it’s sealed but I got it open.”
“What’s in it?”
“Sexual assault.” Zulu replied. “Little fucker went after one of his teachers at his high school. I mean, how do you start being a shit human that big?”
I had a bad feeling.
“As for Esther, she has a record that she started building when she turned nineteen.” Zulu cleared her throat. “Prostitution, theft, DUI, DUI, theft—this woman doesn’t learn she’s too dumb to be a criminal.”
“Are any of those recent?” I asked.
“Her last DUI was about six weeks ago.” Zulu told me. “There is something else coming but right now all it says ispendingand who knows how long that will take?”
“Okay, how many vehicles does Ryan and Esther owns?”
“Hold please.”
After a few seconds she was back.
“Ryan owns two. Esther’s was taken by the sheriff—one too many DUIs.” Zulu was still digging.
“Any of Ryan’s have an onboard computer?” Trucker wanted to know.
“Both are newer models.” Zulu answered. “Well, look at that. We’re in luck. They both have onboard computers.”
“Dump them.” I ordered. “I want to know where he’s been. If I’m right, either he or Esther is responsible for this.”
“Do you need Kaos or Zoom?”
“Naw.” I gritted my teeth and glanced over at Taji on the bed. “I got this. If I need some help, I’ll call. Right now, I have people at my back.”
“Okay, I’ll call you back in about twenty minutes.”
Thanking her, I hung up and moved back to Taji’s side. I shoved my phone into my pocket and took her hand in mine.
Lifting her hand, I brushed my lips against her skin and sighed.
“I’m sorry, Taji.” My voice cracked. “I’m supposed to protect you—I know that’s old fashion but it’s in my veins, imprinted on my heart. I can’t help feeling as if I failed you. But that won’t happen again.”
I leaned up to kiss her nose, then stood to press my lips to her forehead in a lingering kiss before sitting again.
“I’m going to make this right.”
TAJI SLOANE
Groggily,I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. I quickly clamped them closed again. It was unbelievable how bright the world was. While most of my body was blissfully numb, I had a slight pain against my right shoulder along with a little bit of a headache.
“Baby?”
