Page 43 of Truck Stop Tempest

Tango stormed my way, screaming something fierce.

“She’s here!” I yelled over my shoulder. “She’s in the damn truck.”

That shut him up.

I climbed into the cab, inched my way across the seat, and tucked her against me. She didn’t fight, but she didn’t relax. My internal temperature spiked.

“She hurt?” Tango asked.

“Don’t think so. Can’t tell yet.”

“Unlock the door behind her. I’ll take a look.”

I stretched an arm around her trembling body and pulled the lever. Tango jogged around the other side of the truck and opened the door, slow and steady. Tucker stood in the road, waving down the police cruiser and yelling for an ambulance. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips against the top of her head while my cousin gently inspected the girl in my arms.

“Don’t think it’s her blood. I don’t see any wounds.”

“Tuuli,” I whispered into her hair. “Bunny. You’re safe. I’m here. I’m here.”

“They made me watch.” Her voice was so faint, I wasn’t sure if it’d been my imagination.

Tango and I exchanged a glance. He’d heard her, too.

“What’d you say?” I whispered against her hair.

“They made me watch,” she said again, louder.

“They made me watch.” She dropped her legs to the floor and twisted to face me, eyes wild, unfocused.

“They made me watch.” She pounded my chest with one fist, and then the other.

“They made me watch.” She struck again. Then again. And again, throwing more aggression into each hit.

“They made me watch. They made me watch. They made me watch. They made me watch…”

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