I understood, but it would be a snowy day in hell before I took Carmen back to that mold-infested basement beneath the mill. As sick as she seemed to be, that wouldn't help her a lick.
There had to be another option.
"What about a motel?"
Faye hesitated, then nodded. "That'd be okay, I reckon."
Catching sight of Hendrix running full bore toward me, EMT bag in hand, I quickly asked, "How much cash do you need?"
Eyes widening, she sputtered, "I've got it. I may be old and ugly, but men still pay, and I can take care—"
"Faye, dammit, how much?"
She huffed, clearly over my pissy tone. "A hundred a night, else the bossman throws us a beatin’."
Readjusting Carmen in my arms, I turned. "Pull my wallet out of my back pocket and take all my cash. There's a little more than three-hundred in there. That'll cover the next few nights."
I'd withdrawn the money that morning in case I ran into someone I could pay to find out Carmen's whereabouts. It was a messed up move to consider making, but after not being able to find her each time I'd looked, I was desperate.
Swallowing, Faye did as I asked before shoving the leather back in my pants.
"Pop!" Chest heaving, Hendrix, followed by Tuck, came to an almost stumbling stop five feet away, his concerned eyes bouncing between Carmen and me. "Tell me what you need."
Looking at Tuck, I nodded toward the side lot. "Go get my truck and bring it around here. Keys are on my desk."
Without asking a single question, he took off, doing as I said. The kid was hot-tempered, but he was good. Real good. I could always count on him to help.
"Hendrix," I said, shifting my attention to my boy. "Buddy, I need you to take over for me here because I'm leaving." Cradling Carmen close, I took the bag from him. "Whatever comes up, you handle it."
"Got it," he replied, stepping closer. Eyes on Carmen's frail frame and busted face, he clenched his jaw so hard I expected it to shatter. "What happened to her?"
"She's involved with some bad people through no choice of her own," I replied, honestly. "And right now, she's paying hell for it."
"You gonna help her?"
Without a doubt. "Yes."
"You need me? 'Cause if so, just say the word, and I'll do whatever you ask. Don't care what kind of trouble she's in, or who's causing it, I'm with you. Maddie too. She can secure her a bed at the shelter and do whatever else you need her to."
Pride once again rose inside me, snuffing out the blackness that threatened to suffocate the very life right out of me most days.
"Call her."
My son nodded, took a step back, and looked at Faye. "What about you, ma'am? You need some help?"
"No"—she swung her frightened gaze to me—"but I've gotta go. I got her out with no one seein', but if someone catches sight of me here, it'll spell out a whole mess of trouble for me and mine."
"Go." I nodded back toward her car. "I'll take care of her. I swear it."
"Where are you takin' her?" she asked, hands shaking. "I mean, what motel? Both of her girls got sent away on dates for the night, but they'll be back come tomorrow, and they'll for sure wanna know where she is. I'll watch out for em' until she gets better since she ain't no use to em' while she's sick, but I've gotta have answers, or they'll go off lookin' for some. Little One in particular. "
Racking my mind, I tried to think. It sure as shit wasn't an easy thing to do given the circumstances. "Toluca City Motel. The room will be under my name."
"Alright then." She hesitated, not moving an inch, tears continuing to fall. "I know a lot of people look at us and see nothin' but worthless whores. Robina Hood, though, she's a lot more than that. Without her and those girls, I don't know what I'd do. Take care of her for me, okay? "
At that moment, my plans changed.
Ever since I found out the Hell Carmen was trapped in, I'd been planning to save her and the girls both, but right then, I knew I had to save Faye and her kid too.
They didn't deserve to be left behind.
"I've got her, Faye," I whispered as Tuck drove up, slamming on my truck's brakes at the last second. "I've got all of you."
I meant each word.
Every. Single. One.
"Now go before someone sees you."
Not needing to be told twice, she jumped into her car, and after giving me one last heart-wrenching look, took off.
"Remember what I said, Hendrix," I called out as I rushed to my idling vehicle, Carmen's slight weight completely still in my arms. "You're in charge, son! And call Maddie for me!"
I didn't wait for him to reply before popping open the passenger's side door. After reclining the seat as far as it would go with one hand, I placed my pixie on it and buckled her in.
Eyes closed, I momentarily rested my forehead against hers. The feel of her clammy skin against mine sent me into a near tailspin. This shouldn't be happening. She deserves better than this. "I'm going to fix it, beautiful girl. I'm going to fix everything. I fucking swear it."
Not expecting a response, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Then, with her sweat still lingering on my lips, I tossed the bag Hendrix had given me behind her seat and stepped back, slamming the door shut.
"Be careful, Pop!"
Unspeaking, I raised my thumb in the air, letting my kid know I had everything under control. Heart racing, I rounded the truck and jumped in.
My right hand found Carmen's left one.
"Hold on, sweetheart." Squeezing it tight, I shifted into drive,
