Page 5 of Truck Stop Titan

“Dane?”

In the background, Slade asked, “Dane? What’s he calling for?”

At the same time, the little girl in my arms started screaming, another night terror taking hold. God damn not again.

I pulled to the side of the road, her tiny body convulsing in my arms.

“I need help. Right fucking now.”

“The fuck?” Tango growled.

“Need your buddy, Tucker. Need him now, and a woman. Tell him to bring a woman. Someone with a soft touch.”

“That a kid?” Tango’s anger fizzled.

My voice, however, rose to full panic mode, unrecognizable. “I’m out of my fucking element here, Rossi. She’s in bad shape.”

To his credit, the pretty boy didn’t mess around. I gave him my location, tossed the cell, and got busy with the rock, rock, rub, rub, shh, shh.

“You’re safe, sweetheart. Nobody’s gonna hurt you,” I whispered over and over, until her breathing returned to normal, her body relaxed, and a set of headlights pulled up behind me.

Two bodies came into view, coming to my side of the car at a hurried pace. When I opened the door, a “Fuck me,” escaped, because I hadn’t expected to see Blondie ever again, and that woman was a sight that never failed to steal my wits.

Slade blinked at me with those wide-as-fuck baby blues, her pretty mouth hanging open. I gave her a minute to adjust to the scene.

“Reynolds,” Tucker said. “What’s going on?” He stepped around me, inspecting the child in my arms. “Jesus. What the hell happened?”

“Found her about fourteen hours ago. Sick bastard had her caged in a hole. She’s hurting. Inside and out.”

“Why didn’t you take her to the hospital?” Slade asked, no judgement, only concern.

“Not important. Need you to take her. Do that thing you do. Keep her safe. Find her family.”

“Name?” Slade asked, brushing trembling fingers down the girl’s back.

“Don’t know.” I swallowed a wave of nausea, bit back a slew of cuss words.

“Okay. Okay.” Slade nodded. “Give her to me. We’ll get her to Tuck’s mom. She’s a doctor.”

Slade held out her hands, waiting for me to pass the child over. My arms solidified, coiled around the tiny body.

“It’s okay, Dane. We’re gonna take good care of her.” Slade’s voice was soft, reassuring, and trembling a little, just like mine.

I whispered in the baby’s ear, “My friend Slade is gonna take you now. She’s very nice, and she’ll take good care of you.”

The child shivered, a full body tremble, then crawled up my chest, clinging tighter, her arms and legs hooking around me.

“Kid. They’re going to take you somewhere nice and warm. They’re gonna help you feel better.”

Face buried in my neck, she shook her head, tears wetting my shirt.

God.

Jesus.

Fuck.

Fuck.

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