She shrugged. “Not sure. I have to be here for a while. Fractured ribs, and I have some other stuff to take care of before they’ll let me go.”
I smiled and touched her face. Just then, Dom walked in with a boy trailing behind him. The kid was very good looking. Deep sea green eyes, and a smile that lit up a room. There was a small scar above his eyebrow that gave it a permanently arched look.
Clearing his throat, the guy came forward. “Hey, I’m Ezra. Nice to finally meet you.” I noticed he was talking to Grace more than me.
Dom smiled. “Ezra is a prospect for the club. He’s been Grace’s doorman since we found you ladies.”
“Doorguard you mean?” I asked with a slight smile.
Dom gave me a full out grin. “Yes, princess. Each of you has a brother assigned to you in case you ladies need something.” And for protection went unsaid but was implied.
Bringing another wheelchair around, Ezra raised a brow in question at Grace and she nodded. He picked her up and carefully sat her in the chair. It was then I saw just how thin she truly was. I couldn’t imagine enduring more than a few days of what we’d been through. These girls had suffered for weeks, maybe longer. It wasn’t until right then that I realized just how bad it had been for them.
Dom steered my chair to follow Ezra and Grace. “Leah is awake. I just saw Viper outside and he said she’s doing good.”
Her name triggered a memory. I turned in the chair to look at Dom. “They said they had a buyer for Leah. That he wanted better pictures. Is she still in danger?” Fear gripped my chest.
“Don’t worry, princess. You’re all safe. Let’s go so you can see for yourself.”
Heading down the hall toward Leah’s room, I noticed there was nobody sitting outside her door. I was about to say something, but as Dom wheeled me in, I saw a man bigger than any I’d ever seen, sitting in a chair by her bed and watching TV as she slept peacefully. At least, I hoped it was a peaceful sleep.
The man stood and seemed to take up most of the space. His arms were as big around as my head. Muscles everywhere. The big kind that have the veins sticking out, like the ones on those guys on the bodybuilding shows. His hair was a soft, chocolate brown with slight curls hanging to his shoulders. He kind of reminded me of Hercules. Good God, he must have been almost seven feet tall.
His chuckle brought me out of my thoughts. “Close. I’m 6’9.” He laughed, his smile making him even sexier.
Oh, fuck. I’d said all that out loud! I looked at Dom as he stared with an arched brow. “What?” My cheeks burned.
He just laughed and rolled his eyes. “Baby, this is one of my brothers, Viper. Viper, this is my Jules.”
“Nice to meet you, Jules,” Viper said on another chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” a voice whispered from behind the giant.
Viper turned and we all got a glimpse of Leah. She looked around the room, her eyes finally landing on mine. A little smile graced her face. “Jules,” she said in a breathy voice. She winced and a pained look twisted her face as she grabbed her lip.
Viper jumped up and wiped away the blood that trickled from one of her cuts with his thumb. I couldn’t help but notice how gentle the hulking giant was with her, tending to her split lip with the tenderest of touches.
Once he’d assured himself she was alright and sat back down, I smiled at her. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. I can’t thank you enough for saving us. I’d be dead by now or worse if it wasn’t for you.” Leah smiled at me, then looked up at Viper. It was almost like she was reassuring herself he was there. Interesting.
An eerie silence hung in the room, saying more than words ever could. None of them were really ready to talk about the ordeal. Still, it surrounded them all like a black cloud.
“Can I get you anything?” Viper whispered softly. I blinked as he bent down, talking to Leah with a gentle tone I didn’t expect from such a large man.
“I’m okay.” She flashed him a timid smile.
Viper smiled back. “It’s time to take your meds. I’ll let them know you need to eat first.”
Something in me settled. Leah was well protected. I did my best to smile around my sore jaw. “We’re gonna go check on the other girls. We’ll see you later.”
Leah nodded and settled back into the bed.
Viper followed close behind as we made our way back into the hall. “What’s the news, brother?” He whispered low, probably hoping us girls couldn’t hear.
“Clean up later tonight. I’ll have some of the others come take my place while I take care of the problem.” Dom’s jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth.
“John?” Viper asked.
“No. The jackasses that will lead us to him.” Dom said through clenched teeth.
Viper looked away and when he faced Dom again, his eyes were dark. “I need to be there. They beat her. Planned to sell her. She’s got a busted knee, broken hand, and the doc said they raped her multiple times.” Viper whispered harshly. “I have to help take this fucker down.”
Dom watched Viper carefully. The pain in Viper’s eyes was easy to see. “All right. I’ll send someone to take your place. Make sure Leah knows that so it doesn’t freak her out.”
With a nod, Viper walked to the nurses’ station and we headed to Faith’s room.
Dom shook the hand of the guy guarding the door. “Hey, baby, this is another brother, Mac. Mac, this is Jules.”
I nodded and then peeked into the room. Faith was sleeping soundly. I shook my head at Dom.
He turned to Mac. “We’ll come back when she wakes up, okay?”
Mac nodded. “Yeah,
